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Matt Ryan needs you right now
Wednesday, Jul 14, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller * Many of you know Matt Ryan, a longtime political operative who is chief of staff to Will County Executive Larry Walsh. Matt is very sick. He’s been back in the hospital for a while and he lapsed into a coma last week. Matt hasn’t stabilized enough yet for the doctors to move him to a bigger hospital, but his wife Angela is updating his condition on a personal blog supplied by the hospital…
I’ve known Matt for years, as many of you have. Like everyone in politics, he’s made his share of enemies, but I’m positive that even his worst enemy is rooting for him right now. I can’t remember a time when he wasn’t smiling. Even when we argued (and we had some doozies), he’d always be smiling by the end. He’s just a good guy through and through, and he’s a devoted husband to Angela, who I’m sure is devastated by this turn of events. If you know Matt, take the time to leave him a message here in comments. Angela knows about this post, so she’ll be checking in and hopefully she can read them to him. And if you don’t know him, wish him well anyway. Take my word for it, your karma/prayers/goodwill won’t be wasted on him. This post replaces our usual “Question of the Day,” so have at it. 
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- Eddy Crews - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 12:57 pm:
Hey Matt…thinking about you and saying prayers for your quick recovery. Get well real soon.
- A.B. - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 12:57 pm:
My thoughts and prayers are with Matt and his family. Sometimes we forget that being involved with politics means that we are also involved with public service, and that is an honorable trait in all of us. I have and will pray for the best outcome possible for Matt, his family and the communities he serves.
- Liandro - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:00 pm:
Sent up a prayer.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:02 pm:
The worst part of this whole thing is that the doctors don’t even know why Matt is in a coma.
Give him a big hug for me, Angela.
- OldSangmeisterDays - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:08 pm:
Our prayers are with you, Matt, Angela. Many prayers, many thoughts.
- phocion - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:08 pm:
I first met Matt about 10 years ago - and he struck me as one of the few really decent people in the ugly world of politics. I’m floored by this news. Here’s a big shout out for one of the good guys! Get well soon, Matt!!!
- Chuck Eckert - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:09 pm:
Hi Matt…..this is your old capitol building office mate from many years ago…..remember when they crammed us both into 525? Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and pulling for you…..take care Matt!
- Kurt S. - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:09 pm:
Our family’s best wishes to Matt & Angela. Hope to see you back at work again very soon.
- Todd - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:13 pm:
dude — get well we’re pulling for you. hope to see you out and about soon.
- Carol - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:15 pm:
Matt always had a way of letting people know that everything would be ok. I hope and pray everything works out good for him now.
(I have never known anyone to be able to maintain the status of “enemy” with Matt for any length of time).
- Bill Edley - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:16 pm:
Matt was one of the first political guys I met in the mid-80s…He’s devoted to good government and a great guy…All the best for a speedy recovery. We need you now more than ever. Bill
- The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:18 pm:
Keeping the Ryans in my prayers until Matt’s back up on his feet again–and even for a little while afterwards, too.
- Rod sez I'm pork - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:21 pm:
Wishing you a complete and rapid recovery. Angela, don’t forget to take care of yourself.
- How Ironic - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:22 pm:
Don’t know him, but prayers sent. Hope he gets better.
- South of I-80 - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:22 pm:
I’m so sorry to hear this! Matt, you and your family are in our prayers!
- T - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:23 pm:
Take care, Matt. Hopefully the doctors will figure it out and get you back to normal. Best to you and your family.
- Kerry Miller - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:24 pm:
I’ve know Matt and his family all my life, and he and I were in the Yountg Democrats together back in the last century. I know he has had more than his share of health problems and I will put him and Angela in my prayers. I remeber a heated YD meeting in which somebody jumped up and yelled at Matt “You’re nothing but a fraud!” and his response was “Who you calling a frog?” The tension was than broken, as everyone was cracking up.
- Anonymiss - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:25 pm:
Sending warm thoughts and prayers to Matt and Angela. Reminds us what’s important above all else.
- chicago 7 - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:33 pm:
Matt Ryan is one of those guys who makes the room brighter just be walking through the doorway. In the oft ill-tempered world of policy and politics, Matt always acts with goodwill - and anyone who’s ever worked with him will tell you the same. An earnest and strong advocate, a smiling soul, a pleasant and honest opponent - that’s our Matt. Our thoughts and prayers are with ye.
- Ghost - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:34 pm:
I alway like working with Matt (even when I accidenatlly called him pat) he was a great person and my prayers are with him.
- Jo - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:34 pm:
Keep fighting Matt!!!! Hang in there Angela!!!!
- raising kane - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:34 pm:
Matt is one of those guys you can disagree with but he is never disagreeable. Both he and Angela are always there when you need them. I hope this cheers them up and kudo’s to you Rich for the update.
- Andy Raucci - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:39 pm:
Matt and Angela-
My prayers are with you. I know what fighters you both are, and that you will give it your all.
Andy
- Jose Cerda - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:40 pm:
Matt: Keeping you and Angela in my prayers, and wishing you a full and speedy recovery. It’s been a good while since we’ve spoken, so I will look forward to catching up when you’re feeling better. Take care.
- Staci - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:42 pm:
I will put Matt in my prayers. While we are not on the same side of the aisle, Matt has always been one of my very favorite Dems. His smile is contagious!
- Frank McClatchey - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:45 pm:
God speed Matt, I still can picture that BIG smile of yours every day I walked by your office. It’s been awhile.
Take care……
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:47 pm:
I do not know Mr Ryan - he is in my prayers.
- DC - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:48 pm:
Hang in there Matt! Anyone who can survive the cast of characters in Springfield is definitely a fighter. That and your positive attitude will help pull you through. Our prayers for you and your family.
- Nick - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:56 pm:
I’ll be keeping Matt and Angela in my prayers. Matt really is one of the true ‘good guys’ in politics. I hope he makes a full, speedy recovery.
- Paul - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:58 pm:
Angela - my family and I are praying for you and Matt and a full recovery. I hope to hear good news really soon.
- Been There - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 1:59 pm:
Matt & Angela we are all praying for you. You two are the best.
I think Matt is just taking a little rest from the Blago trial. We all remember how well the governors people took care of Matt after they got in office (SNARK alert). He must have been overwelhmed with the feeling of self satisfaction. All kidding aside, we all need you back healthy in order to remind us to keep on smiling. Even when things are not going our way.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 2:20 pm:
Matt, we know you are fighting hard….Dems don’t give up….and we’re all keeping a good thought for you. Angela, do something nice for yourself, you love, but it’s hard giving care. my prayers for two nice people.
- Pete - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 2:21 pm:
Matt,
You’ve demonstrated the most important part of getting elected: actually providing good government. I hope for a full and speedy recovery for you and Angela, and for your return to service in Will County.
- Rory - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 2:33 pm:
Matt & Angela,
Prayers are with you two.
- Sullivan Caucus - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 2:39 pm:
Matt & Angela,
The whole Sullivan Caucus is praying for their fellow Irishman! We’re pulling for you.
- dominique - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 2:48 pm:
Lots of prayers and well wishes headed your way. Just know you will be home rubbing Cermak’s ears soon.
- Chris Hensley - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 2:56 pm:
Matt,
Hope you are on the road to recovery soon. You have done great work to support the fight against cancer through your support of the American Cancer Society in Will County. Sending some positive thoughts your way now, brother.
Chris Hensley
American Cancer Society
- Peter Coffey - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 2:59 pm:
Angela,
In many ways this is so much harder for you. Having been through this with a loved one, I know the helpless agony you must be feeling standing by his bedside, waiting for the doctors to make a decision. Hang in there friend, and know that you aren’t alone in this fight.
Tell Matt all of us are rooting for him. The trial that is happening down the street is the best political vindication that anyone of us can have. Tell Matt he was right and I was wrong, and if I had to do it over again, I would have been on Matt’s team back then. It’s among my biggest professional regrets.
I’ll continue to keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
- donna b. - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 3:39 pm:
Matt and Angela — a big north-suburban contingent is thinking of you both. Come on back, Matt! Our prayers are with you both.
- Nearly Normal - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 3:45 pm:
Prayers and best wishes to Matt and Angela.
- sam panayotovich - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 3:49 pm:
off the ventilator, breathing on his own, eyes open, sounds like matts close to having a night cap at play it again sams…cindy, our sons and i will keep you in our prayers until your back on your feet ready to have a cold one…sammy p
- justsickofit - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 3:53 pm:
so sorry — in my prayers for a full recovery, Matt and Angela.
- Jeff Riley - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 3:58 pm:
Keep fighting the good fight Matt…just like we did with Vallas. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Angela.
- Living in Oklahoma - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 4:08 pm:
May god bless Matt and Angela. May a full recovery be in the very near future.
- Terry Beach - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 4:21 pm:
Matt, get well soon.
- POG - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 4:29 pm:
My prayers for a full recovery.
- Zaubi - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 4:38 pm:
Matt & Angela,
My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
- Kathy Dunn - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 4:51 pm:
Matt and Angela, Your love will get you through this challenge. You are both so fortunate to have each other. You are a great team for any challenge, but this one is the most important.
- John Nicolay - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 5:24 pm:
Rich, all the good things you said about Matt are accurate. Best wishes to Matt and Angela.
- Nia Odeoti-Hassan - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 5:29 pm:
Matt:
This is Nia, one of your former colleagues on the Senate Democratic Staff. You have always been a gentleman to me and valued my advice. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Angela.
- Joe Muñoz - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 5:53 pm:
Angela as your former co-worker I’m truly wishing you and Matt can return to your regular lifes. I’m sure this postings are only a small showing of the many folks wishing you the best.
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 5:55 pm:
Sending patients and karma to the Ryans….best wishes for a full recovery.
- Jim Bray - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 6:03 pm:
Matt — Adding my prayers to the mountain of others. If I can locate any good karma, you can have that, too.
- Frank Mautino - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 6:12 pm:
Matt and Angela: May God bless and protect you both. Lena and I wish you strength, courage and a speedy recovery.
- Steve Brown - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 6:35 pm:
Matt, I think you have the best care in the world with Angela, but a few big city docs can’t hurt.
Marilyn & I are praying hard that come out on top again.
BTW Rich I this one could be approaching a Fax record for folks using their real names.
- With Liberty for All... - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 7:04 pm:
Matt - get better soon! Wishing you the best and hoping for a speedy recovery.
- Lou Lang - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 8:37 pm:
Matt is a great person, as is Angela. Please go to the website for regular updates on his condition and leave messages of support and hope.
- Dawn DeFraties - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 8:43 pm:
Matt and Angela, Dave and I are thinking of you and wishing you much strength, courage and a full and speedy recovery.
- Kris Claypool - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 9:20 pm:
Matt & Angela — my thoughts & prayers are with you during this awful time, and my highest hopes are for a full and speedy recovery. Lots of love, Kris
- Dan and Terri Beiser - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 9:33 pm:
Matt & Angela
Your Alton buds are praying for you.
Dan and Terri Beiser
- Bruce & Paula Malone - Wednesday, Jul 14, 10 @ 9:50 pm:
Matt and Angela,
Thought and prayers are with you both. Hang in there.
Bruce and Paula Malone
- patty schuh - Thursday, Jul 15, 10 @ 12:22 am:
Matt..we pray for your recovery. Angela..we pray for your continued strength. You are in our thoughts.
- Devlins - Thursday, Jul 15, 10 @ 4:31 am:
Matt and Angela. The prayers and thoughts of our family are with you. H.W. & Co.
- MKO - Thursday, Jul 15, 10 @ 7:00 am:
Matt you have been down before and always come back stronger and better than ever. This time will be no different. You have been a friend and mentor to me and so many others for years. We are all praying for you and Angela. Keep fighting.
- HatShopGirl - Thursday, Jul 15, 10 @ 8:14 am:
Matt & Angela, I wish you regain your health and a speedy recovery. I believe I know Matt (only through phone interactions), if he is the Matt Ryan who worked for the Blagojevich administration about 5-6 years ago.
- Bob Myers - Thursday, Jul 15, 10 @ 8:25 am:
Matt and Angela - You are in my thoughts and prayers. May He bless and keep you both.
- BILL KLINE - Thursday, Jul 15, 10 @ 9:43 am:
MATT, YOU ALWAYS SEEM TO LAND ON YOUR FEET SO I KNOW YOU WILL BEAT THIS. GET WELL SOON!
IT IS SO TRUE NO ONE CAN STAY MAD AT MATT. I’LL NEVER FORGET THAT HE WAS GONNA GET CHIEF JUSTICE CALVO TO PERFORM OUR WEDDING IN ST. LOUIS. THAT AFTERNOON HE CALLED US AND TOLD US CALVO COULD NOT MAKE IT, BUT HE SAID HE HAD FOUND ANOTHER GUY THAT WOULD MARRY US. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE ANOTHER JUDGE, BUT IT WAS A FUNDAMENTALIST REVEREND, WHO CHARGED US $175. TYPICAL MATT. BUT I COULDN’T STAY MAD AT HIM. BEST WISHES.
HI TO ANGELA! HANG IN THERE!
- Kristen McQueary - Thursday, Jul 15, 10 @ 10:22 am:
Matt, I can’t possibly get through this election cycle without your straight-talkin’ level-headed political instincts. Please recover soon! My prayers to you and your wife, and thank you, Rich, for providing a get-well forum for wonderful Matt.
- The CARDINAL - Thursday, Jul 15, 10 @ 10:31 am:
Matt best wishes for a full recovery. Angela you are both in our thoughts and prays
- phil lackman - Thursday, Jul 15, 10 @ 10:55 am:
Matt, Thoughts & Prayers are with you, Angela and your families. You have been class act since we worked across the aisle in the senate in the early 80’s. Get well soon, Uncle Larry needs you at the helm.
- Bec-O - Thursday, Jul 15, 10 @ 12:18 pm:
Matt and Angela: We love you guys and are praying for you both. You mean so much to all of us as you can see from these wonderful messages. You are in our hearts and prayers for a quick recovery.
Love you…..Becky and Phil Novak
P.S. Hurry and get well so we can meet at the Beer Tent during Dem Day!
- Jon and Donna Fanning - Thursday, Jul 15, 10 @ 1:41 pm:
Matt and Angela,
You are in our prayers. We have the church group praying for you as well. we are expecting very GOOD NEWS soon!
Jon and Donna Fanning
- Rhonda & Eric - Friday, Jul 16, 10 @ 8:09 am:
Matt & Angela,
You are two very special people who have touched more lives than you can imagine. We are all here for you and praying for a speedy recovery. Please let us know if there is anything at all that we can do. Love ya.
Rhonda & Eric
- Dave Neal - Friday, Jul 16, 10 @ 9:23 am:
Matt Ryan is one of my longest and closest friends and one of the true good guys in Illinois politics. I am looking forward to scrolling through these comments with him to see his face when he sees how much support and love and respect he has received…thank you everyone and keep praying …
- Monica Christ - Friday, Jul 16, 10 @ 11:15 am:
Matt and Angela,
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
- Valeri DeCastris - Saturday, Jul 17, 10 @ 1:59 am:
Oh my God! What horrible news! Thank goodness for this blog to keep us posted on our friends and associates. (Thanks Rich!) This is so horrible! I have known Matt since the mid-1980’s and we worked together a lot on energy issues for the G.A. I never argued with him! We had so much fun in Springfield, especially at Plam It Again Sam’s. He is one of the nicest people I have ever met in politics, which he would remind me “was a dirty business” when it turned my stomach (mostly ALL the time!). He used to date Melody Ellofson and then met Angela and she is so good for him and always said she “got a good one” about him. I remember when she worked so hard for Mike Rotello’s campaign in Rockford, and when her mother got ill. Now this. God help them both. Matt, I am praying for you and getting that novena you used to mention going right away for you. This couldn’t have happened to nicer people who don’t deserve it. My heart is so heavy for them…so glad I stayed up late and checked the blog so I would know. Get up out of that bed soon Matt and let that funny laugh of your’s rip! Hang in there Angela. God Bless you both! Stay strong!
- John & Betty (Davey/Ryan) Glynn - Saturday, Jul 17, 10 @ 9:46 am:
I have known & respected Matt since marrying his cousin 48 years ago. We are praying for you & Angela, as well as Bob & Jane Ryan.