* Steve Huntley and I agree on Dick Durbin’s possible motive for asking President Bush to commute George Ryan’s sentence…

A few weeks ago, Durbin’s daughter, Christine Ann, died at age 40 after a lifelong struggle with a congenital heart condition. As we enter one of Christianity’s holiest seasons, Durbin understands how fleeting the joys of life are, how closely death shadows our lives, and how precious family life is.

Durbin, a fiercely partisan liberal, and I, a conservative, don’t agree on a lot of things. I can’t find myself agreeing with him on this one, but I also can’t find fault with him.

Mrs. Ryan is said to be more ill than has been reported, by the way. That certainly played into Durbin’s thinking.

* The list of congresscritters opposing mercy for Ryan grows longer by the hour...

Congresswoman-elect Debbie Halvorson (D-Crete) and U.S. Reps. Judy Biggert (R-13th) and Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-2nd) said they oppose commuting former Gov. George Ryan’s prison sentence. […]

Two other Southland members of Congress - Bobby Rush (D-1st) and Dan Lipinski (D-3rd) - did not return calls for comment.

* Related…

* On the Record: Gov. George Ryan Commutation

* Debate Over Ryan Commutation Heats Up

* Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran opposed to Ryan sentence change

* Joseph Birkett joins list of Illinois leaders who oppose clemency

* Ryan should stay in jail: AG Madigan