From the Southern Illinoisan

MAYORS SEE RYAN SCANDAL AS A 'BLACK EYE' FOR ILLINOIS
BY JIM MUIR
THE SOUTHERN
[Wed Dec 17 2003]
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS -- The announcement Wednesday that former Gov. George Ryan
had been charged in a 22-count federal racketeering indictment was looked on
by many local elected officials as something expected but also as another
obstacle and political scandal for Illinois to face.
Ryan, a Republican, has been the focus of a corruption investigation that
began even before he defeated former U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard in the 1998
gubernatorial race. The escalating scandal was a factor in Ryan's decision
not to seek re-election in 2002.
The indictments allege Ryan and his family received illegal cash payments,
gifts, vacations and personal services totaling more than $167,000.
Ryan also is charged with funneling payments totaling more than $300,000 to
lobbyist Donald Udstuen, who already has pleaded guilty to corruption
charges.
Longtime Du Quoin Mayor John Rednour said he always has had a good working
relationship with Ryan, who he said helped Southern Illinois during his
term.
"I always liked George and I always felt that he did more for Southern
Illinois than any governor we've had in recent memory, so I always go by
things like that," Rednour said. "He always treated me fair so I really
can't say anything bad about him. I'm not surprised that he was indicted,
but an indictment is one thing but getting a conviction is something else.
He's innocent until proven guilty."
Herrin Mayor Vic Ritter said if Ryan is involved he needs to face the
consequences.
"A lot of politicians think they are above the law and they're not," Ritter
said. "I certainly think Illinois has certainly had its share of politicians
who have been involved in situations like Ryan is accused of, and I think
it's time it stopped. I think our elected officials need to start looking at
people like Paul Simon and using him as a role model. You don't have to
agree with somebody to respect that person. I didn't always agree with Paul
Simon but he was honest and his integrity was without question. I think
Illinois politicians need to look at him as an example." Jack Woolard, West Frankfort mayor, called Ryan a "decent person."
"If he got wound up in this I think it's a shame, but I don't think his
politics are any different than any other politics that have gone on during
the past 50 years," Woolard said. "I think it's unfortunate that something
like this is happening, but if someone's guilty I think they have to pay the
price, whether it's me or him or somebody else."
Woolard called the indictment of Ryan "another black eye for the state of
Illinois."
"I think this just happens to be one that the federal prosecutors picked out
and focused on," said Woolard. "I don't know whether he's guilty or not and
I don't want to form an opinion one way or the other. I try not to judge
people. As far as I'm concerned he's innocent until proven guilty."
Ned Mitchell, who has been Sesser mayor for more than two decades, also
served as a Democratic state senator in the 59th District during a part of
Ryan's term. Mitchell said after the long list of indictments, that he was
not surprised Ryan now has been named in the investigation.
"There's been speculation and innuendo for several years now, so basically
we've just been waiting for the other shoe to drop," Mitchell said. "When
you have that many indictments, and many of them key people, you knew that
the federal prosecutors were eventually going to get to the top. I also
think with that many people indicted, everybody had to be aware of what was
going on."
Mitchell said the latest allegations only add to the reputation Illinois has
gained for political corruption.
"I just read a poll that said the overwhelming majority of people in
Illinois do not believe that the new ethics legislation that was recently
passed will have any effect on what goes on in Springfield," Mitchell said.
"So, I think that our legislators have a big selling job to do to get the
people to believe that things are going to turn around in this state."
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