George Ryan

Date of Birth: February 24, 1934

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Biography

George Homer Ryan, Sr. is an American former politician who served as the 39th Governor of Illinois from 1999 to 2003. Born in Maquoketa, Iowa, and raised in Kankakee, Illinois, Ryan began his career in public service as a pharmacist before transitioning into politics. He served in the Illinois House of Representatives, where he eventually became the Speaker of the House. Ryan was later elected as the Illinois Secretary of State and then as the Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. His tenure as governor was marked by his controversial decision to place a moratorium on the state’s death penalty, citing concerns about wrongful convictions. However, his career was marred by a corruption scandal that led to his conviction on federal charges of racketeering, bribery, and extortion.

5 Interesting Facts about George Ryan

1. George Ryan placed a moratorium on the death penalty in Illinois in 2000, making Illinois the first state to do so.

2. He was awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2003 for his actions concerning the death penalty.

3. Ryan served as the Illinois Secretary of State from 1991 to 1999.

4. He was convicted in 2006 on federal corruption charges and sentenced to six and a half years in prison.

5. Ryan was released from federal prison in 2013 after serving a portion of his sentence and spending some time in home confinement.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from George Ryan

1. “Until I can be sure that everyone sentenced to death in Illinois is truly guilty, I cannot and will not support the death penalty.”

2. “I believe that it is time for the state of Illinois to set a new standard when it comes to the death penalty.”

3. “The result of our investigation has convinced me that our capital punishment system is haunted by the demon of error.”

4. “We are not a state that should be executing innocent people.”

5. “I have always tried to do what was right, even when it was not popular or easy.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his political career, George Ryan’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

George Ryan and his wife, Lura Lynn Ryan, had six children: five daughters, Nancy, Lynda, Joanne, Jeanette, and Julie, and one son, George H. Ryan, Jr.