Imprisoned former Gov. George Ryan’s ailing wife misses him terribly.

He has lost his good reputation and his pension.

He has “paid a significant price” for the corrupt acts he was convicted of committing in office, as Sen. Dick Durbin wrote in a letter to President Bush urging  Bush to commute Ryan’s sentence to time served, “and will continue to do so as long as he lives.”

Yet, Durbin’s sentiments notwithstanding, I say he should continue to serve his sentence.

Not because we must protect the public from Ryan. He’s 74 and ailing, and his crimes were non-violent and particular to the offices he no longer holds.

Not because more time in  prison will transform Ryan into a better person.  It might, but who cares? He’s retired from public life.

Not because society needs to exact revenge upon Ryan for all the damage he did.  The crimes for which he was convicted are fairly abstract and minor as far as actual damages to taxpayers are concerned.

But because every public official in Illinois must know this: Break the rules, and you will pay dearly.

Being old, sick, harmless and otherwise pathetic will not be your get-out-of-jail free card.

Having friends in high places won’t spring you after serving less than 20 percent of your sentence.

The length of your fall from grace doesn’t — shouldn’t, can’t — shorten your term in prison.

Your duty to provide honest services to the public is that serious. If anything,  the height of your office ought to aggravate, not minimize, your offenses.

George Ryan should remain in prison as his last act of service to the citizens of Illinois — being a living example for all officeholders who are tempted to do wrong.

Should Ryan be freed?









—VOTE