Latest news with #KankakeeHighSchool
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Memorial service for George Ryan held in his hometown of Kankakee
KANKAKEE, Ill. (WGN) — Funeral services for former Gov. George Ryan took place in his hometown of Kankakee. Friends, family and colleagues gathered at Asbury United Methodist Church on Thursday to say goodbye to Ryan during a memorial service. Cameras were not permitted inside the church during the ceremony. A private entombment was held prior to the service, WGN News has learned. Ryan passed away last Friday at the age of 91. Previous Coverage: Former Illinois Governor George Ryan, who served time for corruption, dies at 91 He served as the 39th Governor of Illinois from 1999 to 2003. Ryan, a Republican, also served as Illinois Secretary of State before his governorship from 1991 to 1999, and as the state's Lieutenant Governor from 1983 to 1991. He made national headlines in January 2000 when he imposed a statewide moratorium on executions, and three years later, commuted the sentences of 167 convicted who were on or waiting to be sent to Illinois' death row. Thom Serafin, the communicator who ran the memorial service, noted how Ryan was known to reach across the aisle on political issues of his era in American politics. 'The difference today is we don't communicate; we don't talk to each other,' Serafin said. 'I was in Springfield last couple days. There are a lot of issues, but we don't talk to each other. Republicans are not talking to democrats. Democrats are not talking to Republicans.' Hedy Ratner, a lifelong Chicago Democrat who worked alongside Ryan and former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, recapped part of her speech after the ceremony. 'On so many issues, he was ahead of his time, often taking position in opposition to the consternation of his conservative Republican colleagues,' Ratner said. 'He was very grumpy, but he was very kind and generous. I ended up saying, since I know he is watching me and timing me—he always accused me of talking more than I should—please forgive me dearly George. I just couldn't cut this.' After his time in office, Ryan was convicted on fraud and racketeering charges in 2006 that stemmed from his time as secretary of state. He went on to serve more than five years in federal prison, during which his wife died from lung cancer in 2011. 'He didn't feel that he did the things he was accused of, but the separation of Lura Lynn was the penalty of his life,' Serafin said. Ryan was born in Maquoketa, Iowa, but grew up in Kankakee County and attended Kankakee High School. In 1954, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and eventually served a 13-month tour in Korea. After returning from the Army, Ryan married his high school sweetheart, Lura Lynn. The two had five daughters and one son. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Illinois Governor George Ryan, who served time for corruption, dies at 91
CHICAGO — Former Illinois Governor George Ryan, who served time in prison for corruption, has died at 91. Ryan, a Republican who served as the 39th governor of Illinois from 1999 to 2003, died Friday, the Kankakee County Coroner has confirmed. 20 years later: Former Gov. Ryan reflects on decision to end death penalty Alongside his time as Governor, Ryan also served as Illinois Secretary of State from 1991 to 1999 and as the state's Lieutenant Governor from 1983 to 1991. Ryan captured national headlines and angered some in his own party when he imposed a moratorium on executions in Illinois in January of 2000. Three years later, he commuted the sentences of 167 convicted who were on or waiting to be sent to Illinois' death row. Former Gov. George Ryan details banning death penalty in new memoir Following his time in office, Ryan was convicted on fraud and racketeering charges in 2006 and later served more than five years in federal prison. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Ryan was born in Maquoketa, Iowa, but grew up in Kankakee County and attended Kankakee High School. In 1954, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and eventually served a 13-month tour in Kora. Following his time in the service, he married his high school sweetheart, Lura Lynn Ryan, who died of lung cancer in 2011. The two had five daughters and one son. Ryan's cause of death is currently unclear. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
