From the Rockford Register-Star:

Published: April 18, 2006

"I kind of admired him for having the guts to release all the
prisoners from death row. He helped our country stop and think about
the death penalty. If that was his purpose on Earth, he served it
well. I'm just sorry that the voters have to see so many things wrong
with government that they no longer trust it. I hope this is a wake-up
call for public officials to do the right thing."
— George Ann Duckett,Winnebago County Board

"It's a sad day for Illinois politics, but all public officials should
be held to a higher standard than the public. I hope he receives the
maximum punishment for his crime."
— Doug Aurand, Harlem Township supervisor

"By the verdict rendered today in the case of George Ryan, it
definitely taints Springfield, along with other corruption discovered.
I hope this doesn't pass judgment on other elected officials because
they need to be judged individually."
— Ann Thompson, Rockford alderman

"It's a sad day in Illinois government when the former chief executive
is found guilty on so many charges of misconduct relating to his
office. As an elected official, I'm angered with what Governor Ryan
did while in office. This adds to the skepticism and cynicism of the
public. Public officials are there to serve the public, the public
isn't there to serve them. We as Democrats should not take perverse
joy in this. This is just a sad, sad chapter in Illinois government."
— Mickey Goral, Rockford Township supervisor
Republicans"I'm not overly surprised at the guilty verdict. It sends a clear
message that whatever party you're in, if you misuse a position you've
been given, there are consequences for that. You can't reform
morality. You can't legislate honesty and integrity. Our current
governor has a number of investigations going on concerning his
administration, and there are investigations of the mayor of Chicago.
It all hurts Illinois."
— Sen. Dave Syverson, Rockford

"I'm disappointed that a governor from my party would have treated the
office that way. We think this current governor has also imported this
Chicago mentality of help your friends out, and the heck with the
law."
Rep. Dave Winters, Shirland

"I'm not sure there will be an impact on this year's election. It's
been going on long enough that people have pretty much made up their
minds. Frankly, it's good to get this behind us now, in April."
— Sen. Christine Radogno,Lemont; candidate for state treasurer

"I'm a little surprised he was found guilty of all counts, but not
surprised that he was found guilty on some counts. The public has been
so tired of listening to everything (in the Ryan case) for the past
several years that they've either grown calloused to some of it or
they're glad it's over. It's early enough that I don't think this
verdict will have an impact on the November election."
— Sen. Brad Burzynski, Clare