Small Newspaper Group Springfield Bureau
4/17/06
 Jacobs: George just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar 
By Scott Reeder, Heather Gach and Stephanie Sievers 
 SPRINGFIELD -- The crimes for which jurors convicted George Ryan Monday were not particularly unusual practices in Illinois politics, according to a variety of politicians of all political stripes. 
 
 "This is not necessarily out of the political norm. George just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar," said former state Sen. Denny Jacobs, D-East Moline. 
 
 Mr. Ryan was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud, tax fraud and lying to the FBI. 
 
 But Mr. Jacobs said the sad part of Monday's conviction is that it gives a "black eye" to all elected officials. "People will say `Oh, they are all crooks.' " 
 
 His view was echoed by former state Rep. Joel Brunsvold, D-Milan. 
 
 "It doesn't matter whether you are a Republican or a Democrat. All politicians are painted with the same brush by this verdict," he said. 
 
 Mr. Brunsvold said former Gov. Ryan is a product of the state's political culture. 
 
 "I think others who have been elected governor have done similar things. It is just now that politics is beginning to change in Illinois," he said. 
 
 Mr. Ryan was a product of the old school of Illinois politics, but the tide has shifted dramatically in recent years. Some lawmakers have become so vigilant about separating politics from their job that it's almost gone too far, said former state Rep. Phil Novak, D-Bradley. 
 
 Mr. Novak, who represented Kankakee County for years and was Mr. Ryan's local legislator, said he was surprised that Mr. Ryan was convicted on all counts. 
 
 State Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, called Mr. Ryan's situation an exaggerated reflection of Illinois' political climate. He predicted that the verdict would embolden federal prosecutors to pursue more political corruption cases in Illinois. 
 
 Mr. Brunsvold said that is not necessarily a good thing. 
 
 "Things are becoming much more formalized in Springfield. Deals that were once cut verbally or with a handshake are now being put in writing. It has become a lot less fun to be a public official in Illinois," he said. 
 
 But state Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, had a different take on the verdict. 
 
 "... Public service is simply public service. You don't do it to enrich yourself or your friends or your family," he said. 
 
 Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins, the lead prosecutor in the case, said the idea that an elected official has a duty to serve the public's needs over his or her own is not something that requires a law degree to understand. 
 
 "Whether you're the dog catcher or the governor, you're elected for something -- to do work for the citizens of the district. And the day you want to work for yourself and your family is the day you ought to go to the private sector," he said. 
 
 Mr. Brunsvold said there are unseemly aspects to government investigations, noting that some plea bargains are accepted in exchange for testimony and electronic surveillance has become common. "It's like Big Brother is out there watching you," he said. 
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