Lawmakers not surprised at Ryan indictment
By Pat Guinane
SPRINGFIELD — Legislators were not entirely surprised by the news that
former Gov. George Ryan has been implicated in an ongoing federal probe.
To many, the 22-count indictment lodged against Ryan is an attack on an
Illinois political culture that has become clouded by cronyism and
corruption. So far, federal prosecutors have convicted 59 people and
indicted 66 in the five-year investigation dubbed Operation Safe Road.
While working as a division manager at Central Management Services, state
Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, said he would often cross paths with
then-Secretary of State Ryan’s staff. It was around the time period when
much of the wrongdoing is alleged to have occurred.
"I knew these people," Mitchell said. "Sometimes I thought that through the
arrogance of these folks that they didn’t serve their boss very well."
Overall, Mitchell said the scandals experienced by the GOP, which until
recently controlled most of state government, confront all politicians that
take their positions for granted.
"Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat and you’ve been in control for
so long, you sometimes forget that you’re accountable to the public,"
Mitchell said.
Operation Safe Road also spawned several separate investigations into both
the Democrat and Republican parties. Those efforts have targeted campaign
work done on state time.
State Rep. Lee Daniels, R-Elmhurst, abdicated his leadership position
following a federal investigation. Since then, subpoenas have been issued to
Senate President Emil Jones, state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka and House
Speaker Mike Madigan. No indictments have been made from these
investigations.
"Actually, I thought they would have got him (Ryan) earlier," said state
Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline. "The federal prosecutors were obviously
very methodical and made sure they had all their T’s crossed and I’s
dotted."
Boland joined the legislature in 1995, as Ryan began his second term as
secretary of state. The Republican governor also spent 10 years in the
legislature, rising to House Speaker in 1981.
"All I know about his past is from what I’ve read in the press and I’m
guessing all or most of it went on during his time as secretary of state,"
Boland said.
The federal corruption investigation grabbed headlines after Ryan scored a
narrow victory over Democrat Glenn Poshard in the 1998 gubernatorial race.
"Had this type of thing come out earlier, (Poshard) might have been
governor," Boland said. "In fact I’m sure he would have been governor."
Apparently, Democrats were not alone in anticipating charges against Ryan.
"I certainly wasn’t surprised by the announcement today," said Sen. Todd
Sieben, a Geneseo Republican. "The buck stops at the top. George Ryan was
secretary of state. He was governor. These things went on during his term of
office and so they’re ultimately going to lead to him and he’s going to be
responsible for them."
Sieben accompanied Ryan on a diplomatic trip to Cuba four years ago. He said
Ryan’s legacy will reflect such ambitious efforts as that trade mission and
the moratorium he placed on executions, but the sting of the federal charges
will also show.
"If there’s a message here to politicians it’s, by golly, you better be
honest and you better do the right thing and you better not be involved in
misdeeds," Sieben said.
When asked whether Illinois politicians should already embrace those values,
Sieben said "I think this a good strong reminder."
As reminders go, Ryan’s indictment signifies a formidable black eye.
"It’s a bad day in Dodge for everyone that’s involved in politics," said
Sen. Denny Jacobs, D-East Moline. "I always feel bad anytime anyone misuses
the public trust, because it reflects on all of us. With the indictments
brought, it’s so easy for someone to say, ‘See, I told you they were all
crooks.’ "
However, Jacobs said he still gives Ryan the benefit of the doubt, holding
out hope that the former governor’s "involvement was just a stupid
association of friends who took advantage of him."
Ryan’s inner circle began to unravel as he made the move from secretary of
state to governor.
"I think in George’s case the governor’s mansion might have clouded his
vision and he and his people made some serious errors, not only in judgment,
but in lawbreaking activities," Jacobs said. "Greed is a very, very tenuous
apple out there. A lot of people want to take a bite out of it. That’s the
problem."
(Springfield reporters Matt Adrian and Mark Samuels contributed to this
report.)
Patrick Guinane can be contacted at Patrick.guinane@lee.net