31 Comments - Aldyth - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 11:49 am: God bless her. - I'm Just Saying - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 11:50 am: They also need to remember that she has not been charged nor convicted of anything too, May God keep her under his watch in this trying period for the family….. - Wumpus - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 11:51 am: This is a dilema faced by convicted felons and their families every day. - Levois - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 11:57 am: There’s no reason not to let the former Governor out of prison briefly to see his ill wife. She’s been with him no doubt throughout his ordeal. - Southern Illinois Democrat - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 11:59 am: How sad. I pray her and her entire family find peace and comfort at this most difficult time. At times like this, politics need to be forgotten and compassion be the main concern for all. - Wensicia - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 12:05 pm: My sister died from breast cancer 20 years ago, I remember how difficult the final months were for her and our family. I think it’s wrong to follow medical conditions and hospital visits of former first ladies with terminal diseases. While Ryan’s legal team has shamefully tried to use his wife’s illness to benefit his legal situation, I’m sorry to see this kind of pain and suffering played out in the press. - Justice - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 12:12 pm: There is a time to punish and there is a time to show mercy. I think this is a time to show mercy. - Anonymous - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 12:14 pm: While I am sorry for her poor health, I wonder why there are not similar stories about the illnesses of family members of other convicted felons? Are they less deserving than Ryan’s family? And, if Ryan was truly concerned about the impact on his wife, why would he commit crimes in the first place? Again, how is that different than any felon? - Jake From Elwood - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 12:15 pm: I hope the courts will grant some leniency to George so that he may say a proper personal goodbye to his wife of many years. - amalia - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 12:17 pm: may all who suffer, and those who watch them suffer, be blessed with good health, peace, and love. - K3_Spfld_Chi - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 12:20 pm: Anyone who had met Ms Ryan knows that she is a very kind and loving person. This is an incredibly sad time for all of us who know her. - Anonymous - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 12:21 pm: My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Ryan. - Judi - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 12:23 pm: Thank you for your comment that LuraLynn is someone’s wife, mother and grandmother. She has also been my friend for almost 39 years. And a true blessing to all who have been privileged to know and love her. - cermak_rd - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 12:23 pm: Yes, other felons go through this too. That’s why the state has a program for this. No one fears that George will take the opportunity to escape or to go on a murdering rampage. - wordslinger - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 12:53 pm: –There’s no reason not to let the former Governor out of prison briefly to see his ill wife.– And there’s an important reason to do so — it’s called compassion and it’s a vital component of justice and a just society. We’re different than the countries run by tinhorn dictators, Kafkaesque totalitarians or hateful theocrats. We’re better. - D.P. Gumby - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 12:57 pm: Just as Ryan lead the way to the resulting abolition of the death penalty, perhaps this family experience will lead to a more enlightened family policy for those incarcerated and not a threat to the public. The standard should not be that Ryan should not be released because no one else is; rather all others who are not a public safety threat should be released too! - x ace - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 1:09 pm: The limited nature of Mr. Thompson’s statement prompts the conclusion that appropriate visitation has been and is being afforded. Hopefully,that is the case. - Anon - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 1:10 pm: God Bless the Ryan family during this difficult time. My prayers are with them. - 1776 - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 1:21 pm: Peace be with both the Ryan and Daley families. Both “first ladies” have been classy and distinguished. There is no doubt that Illinois and Chicago are better places because of their efforts. - He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 1:25 pm: I have had to deal with Governors and sometimes their wives since Thompson, Mrs. Ryan was always pleasant and treated me and my staff almost like a grandma. Other first ladies have not been very nice. God bless Mrs Ryan and I hope they let George out to see her if this is indeed the end. Enough is enough. - MrJM - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 1:26 pm: I hope for the best for Mrs. Ryan. And I hope that people will show as much concern for my family members in their final days. – MrJM - Vote Quimby! - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 2:03 pm: I agree–if there is an existing program to allow inmates to visit their terminally ill spouses, by all means Ryan should be allowed to leave prison to see her. - Ghost - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 3:08 pm: What word said times 2 - Ron Burgundy - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 3:58 pm: No matter what her husband did, Mrs. Ryan is a dear lady and it saddens me to hear that she is in such a condition. I wish her and her family nothing but the best, and if a recovery is not to be, at least some peace and comfort in this difficult time. - downstate hack - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 4:18 pm: Gov. Ryan should be allowed extended time to be with his wife. It is the correct and humanitarian thing to do. - old downstater - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 6:38 pm: God bless Mrs. Ryan & the family. Our prayers , hope & best wishes go out to them. I do hope Mr. Ryan will be able to visit her & be with his wife. - ah Ha - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 7:19 pm: Just curious. Did Mr. Ryan spend some time with his wife on a compassion release? - Can't Say My Nickname - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 7:59 pm: Mrs. Ryan is a wonderful person. So much love and kindness in her heart. My prayers to Mrs. Ryan and her family. - Novice Commenter - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 8:56 pm: Logic, reason, compassion, mercy, would all call for Mr. Ryan to be let out for a very brief period of time to be with his wife. (My comments are about 8 hours after Blago’s conviction was announced.) Fairness and justice demands he be granted ONLY what all prisoners in the federal system are allowed. It should be noted he was already allowed one visit when she was diagnosed. I don’t want to be cruel, but there is a very strong sentiment that the priveleged who have abused their position accept the punishment and the conditions of those less “connected”. A final note: I believe he took the right stand on his merciful actions toward capital punishment defendants in Illinois. I disagree with some people’s view he did it to pander to obtain the support of a slice of the electorate not normally in his corner to obtain political support as his own position fell down. Let him apply for relief, and let the persons in authority apply the rules, equally across the board-without regard to his past position and his attorney’s former position. And just for the record, when did Otto Kerner get out of jail with his own terminal illness? - Zbolinski - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 10:17 pm: While Mrs Ryan may be a sweet lady, you can’t tell me she had no idea her husband was breaking the law. His entire family was on the payroll and I’m sure all knew that it was illegal. He was not sent to his room with no dinner, he is in prison and is deserved. - mokenavince - Monday, Jun 27, 11 @ 10:32 pm: Lura Lynn made a great 1st Lady, George Ryan was a pretty good Governor. Theirs a lot of guys in Illinois politics at just never got caught. A little mercy at a time like this goes along way. May God bless this fine Lady. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.