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This just in… Filan on vacation… Ryan’s conviction affirmed… Bail granted, for now…

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* 10:41 am - Well, this is a little bizarre. The state’s chief ~~financial~~ operating officer, John Filan, went on vacation yesterday while the governor’s budget office was still trying to craft the line item and reduction vetoes of the operating budget bill. No word yet on when those vetoes might be filed, but I’ve asked.

* 10:51 am - Big news from the Tribune…

In a crushing legal blow to former Gov. George Ryan, a federal appellate court this morning affirmed his sweeping fraud and corruption convictions, ruling that Ryan received a fair trial last year despite a series of juror controversies.

The decision by the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals clears the way for Ryan to begin serving a 6.5-year prison term that he received last year after a historic six-month trial. But his lawyers could try to forestall that with a further appeal.

In a 2-1 decision, the three-judge appellate panel found that U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer acted within her authority when she replaced two jurors during deliberations after the Tribune revealed they had failed to disclose information about their criminal backgrounds.

“We conclude that the district court handled most problems that arose in an acceptable manner, and that whatever error remained was harmless,” Judge Diane Wood wrote for the panel. “We therefore affirm the convictions.”

* 10:53 am - You can download the Ryan decision here.

* Excerpts from the majority opinion…

The fact that the trial may not have been picture-perfect is, in itself, nothing unusual. The Supreme Court has observed more than once that “taking into account the reality of the human fallibility of the participants, there
can be no such thing as an error-free, perfect trial…

[…]

throughout their briefs, the defendants note that the district court judge described some of her rulings as “difficult” or “close calls.” The impression they give is that this is some kind of signal that the court knew it was wrong. We draw no such inference. A district court’s acknowledgment of the difficulty of an issue, if anything, is a sign that the court has given it full consideration.

[…]

The high-profile nature of these proceedings gave rise to some unusual problems with the jury, but we are satisfied that the court handled them acceptably. For all of the reasons discussed above, the district court properly denied the defendants’ new trial motion. We AFFIRM the judgments of the district court convicting both Warner and Ryan.

* KANNE, Circuit Judge, dissenting…

My colleagues in the majority concede that the trial of this case may not have been “picture-perfect,” – a whopping understatement by any measure. The majority then observes that the lack of a picture-perfect trial “is, in itself, nothing unusual.” I agree that from my experience this is a realistic
proposition. There is rarely perfection in any human endeavor – and in particular jury trials. What we expect from our judicial system is not an error free trial, but a trial process that is properly handled to achieve a fair and just
result. That fair and just result was not achieved in this case.

[…]

To describe the circumstances surrounding the jury management and jury deliberations summarized above as “nothing unusual” is to simply turn a blind eye to the realities of what occurred – in order to save the efforts
expended during a six month trial.

[…]

Can this court, as a matter of common sense, accept the district court’s factual determination that at least some jurors did not harbor fears of prosecution when they rendered their verdicts? Can the majority say that these jurors retained their capacity to render fair and impartial verdicts that can strip the defendants of their liberty and result in the defendants receiving significant prison sentences after the jurors themselves were the subject of an investigation?

[…]

In the final analysis, this case was inexorably driven to a
defective conclusion by the natural human desire to bring an end to the massive expenditure of time and resources occasioned by this trial – to the detriment of the defendants. Given the breadth and depth of both structural and nonstructural errors, I have no doubt that if this case had been a six-day trial, rather than a six-month trial, a mistrial would have been swiftly declared. It should have been here.

Based on either the structural errors or nonstructural errors described above concerning jury misconduct, the convictions in this case should be vacated and the case remanded for a new trial. Because the majority reaches a contrary result, I respectfully DISSENT.

* 11:46 am - DuPage County may actually see a contested race for Democratic Party chairman.

* 12:46 pm - I’ve been curious when Ryan will have to report to prison. CBS2 fills us in…

The opinion came down after the court had granted Ryan an appeal bond, something that politicians convicted of wrongdoing almost never get in Illinois.

In granting the bond, the appeals court had said that once it reached its decision Ryan would have to immediately go to prison to serve his time.

* 3:28 pm - From the US Attorney’s office…

Statement of Gary S. Shapiro, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, regarding today’s decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, affirming the convictions of former Illinois Gov. George Ryan and Lawrence Warner, United States v. Warner and Ryan, Nos. 06-3517 & 06-3528:

“We note the Court’s conclusion that “the evidence supporting the jury’s verdict was overwhelming.” Ryan and Warner were convicted of crimes in awarding state leases and contracts that were steered illegally in return for hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits for Warner and Ryan, including financial support for Ryan’s successful 1998 gubernatorial campaign.

Regarding jury deliberations, the majority concluded that Judge Pallmeyer “took every possible step to ensure that the jury was and remained impartial,” and that while the proceedings gave rise to some unusual problems, it remained so. We are now asking the Court to enforce the order agreed to by the parties last December requiring the defendants to surrender within 72 hours.”

* 4:09 pm - AP…

Former Illinois Gov. James R. Thompson said his law firm was filing Tuesday afternoon for a rarely granted “en banc” hearing that would have the entire U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals hear Ryan’s appeal. Tuesday’s opinion was issued by a three-judge panel split 2-1.

If rebuffed, Thompson said, the firm would take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Gov. Ryan obviously is disappointed in this result but he has faith in the judicial system, as he has told you, and he has faith in his lawyers,” Thompson said during a news conference at the big Chicago law firm Winston & Strawn, which represented Ryan free of charge. Ryan did not attend

* 5:39 pm - From the US Court of Appeals…

Upon consideration of DEFENDANTS’ EMERGENCY MOTION TO CONTINUE BAIL PENDING APPEAL AND TO STAY SURRENDER DATE, filed on August 21, 2007, by counsel for the appellants,

IT IS ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED only to the extent that appellants’ grant of bail is extended until this court issues its mandate.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this matter is REMANDED for the limited purpose of permitting the district court to determine the conditions of release.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 10:44 am

Comments

Ha! Fantastic.

Comment by Sponge! Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 10:50 am
Figures. Don’t get me wrong, he deserves a vacation just like anyone else. It just strikes me as par for the course…at the moment something needs to be completed, “So long, everybody!”

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 10:52 am
[…] Via Rich [link] […]

Pingback by ArchPundit » Blog Archive » Filan on Vacation Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 10:57 am
Now the blame shifts to Filan’s vacation. I just wish this Governor would once do what he says he’d do in the time frame he said he’d do it. I’m using Filan’s vacation as my excuse for not paying my bills.

Comment by jwscott72 Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 11:02 am
Good for the 7th Circuit.

I’m sure Big Jim will leap to the rescue with further appeals though. Ryan may yet stay out of the pen. Hopefully, they actually did cut his six-figure pension.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 11:05 am
Kanne’s opinion will be used as the basis to appeal.

Comment by Crimefighter Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 11:08 am
Haven’t read the whole opinion yet, but a couple of interesting tidbits:

1) While many people believe the federal judiciary has become more politicized, the two judge majority here includes one Reagan appointee and one Clinton appointee, and the dissent is a Reagan appointee. No obvious political bias there.

2) Neither judge who voted to affirm was a trial judge; the judge who dissented was. That’s important because sometimes, appellate judges who were formerly trial judges hold trial judges to a higher standard, but other times, they’re more willing to let small errors slide. Clearly in this case Judge Kanne felt that the errors were quite significant. He is not a frequent dissenter, so he clearly felt very strongly.

This is far from over, obviously — Ryan can still ask the entire Seventh Circuit to rehear en banc; rehearing en banc is very rare, but given the nature of the case and a strong dissent from a judge who doesn’t usually dissent, the chances are at least slightly better than usual. He can also appeal to the Supreme Court, which is also a long shot but this trial was unusual enough that it could get a serious look.

Comment by Gus Frerotte's Clipboard Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 11:13 am
Although one can certainly understand an argument that the trial itself was flawed, the counterqeight to this argument from a commonsense layman’s standpoint is that Ryan was guilty as “heck.” Winston and Strawn can appeal until “heck” freezes over, as far as I am concerned, but George Ryna should go to jail immediately without any further delay.

If George Ryan had not been a criminal, it’s doubtful that Blago would have been elected Governor. We’re paying for Ryan’s crimes, so Ryan should start doing his time.

Comment by Captain America Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 11:27 am
I have a feeling that the decision and any future appeals are less of a historic turning point than is the fact that we are seeing the end of the career (and the sphere of influence) of Jim Thompson. The way he’s exiting the public arena is more tragic (for want of a better word)… Hubris can bite one in the shorts.

Comment by jaundiced eye Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 11:42 am
I was wondering why the appeal was taking so long.

Didn’t the Judges make a condition of letting Ryan be free on appeal? That is, he goes to jail NOW if it’s upheld?

So might he not be behind bars before Labor Day?

Comment by Pat collins Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 11:45 am
Absent a hearing en banc, Ryan is done. The Supreme Court is not going to take a case that turns on harmless error analysis. As for whether the 7th Circuit will take it up en banc, I don’t know. As Gus Ferotte noted, the fact that Kanne dissented is something that the whole circuit will note. However, both Easterbrook and Posner have a fairly clear position that gives great deference to the trial court’s resolution of issues relating to trial conduct. My guess is that they will affirm. Can’t really speak to the other members of the court. If I had to bet though, I would say Ryan is going to prison soon.

Comment by Tom Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 11:45 am
My guess this means no Budget AV today, because Blaggo will divert his attention to a review of the opinion to see how many the offenses ommitted by his family & friends are covered.
Schools, widows can keep cooling their heels or take out some loans.
Any ask ISBE how many loans were granted by the ISBE yet?

Comment by GettingJonesed Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 11:59 am
Au contraire. What better way to bury news of the veto of money for people in wheelchairs, schools, nursing homes, etc. than to do it today?

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 12:00 pm
But I miss Ryan. What he did was not unlike what Thompson did, nor what Blago does now (it was no coincidence that Blago brought Thompson in as an advisor when he was setting up his first administration). That is not to excuse the conduct, but … if we seem always to have a crook at the helm, at least it is better when the ship stays off the shoals and away from ice bergs.

His trial was full of problems, from a legal standpoint. I don’t know if I agree with the dissent that what happened was reversible error, but I think it quite possible that the case will be heard en banc.

Comment by Sad to Say It Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 12:02 pm
Haven’t read the 7th Circuit Ryan Opinion yet, but does this legitimize the use of the “Theft of Honest Services” charges? If so, isn’t this a green light for the Feds to go knockin’ on some other doors?

Comment by Guy Fawkes Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 12:04 pm
Guy Fawkes

Theft of honest services has been a federal prosecution tool in good stead since Jim Thompson used it against Otto Kerner. I don’t think that Ryan even challenged the substance of the decision in that regard. The more interesting appeal pending regarding that is Sorich’s appeal. As I understand it, he is suggesting that he committed no crime because all he did was violate a civil decree.

Comment by Tom Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 12:15 pm
No, the decision focused on the procedural infirmities moreso than the substantive ones.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 12:22 pm
Was George Ryan present and did he have any comments or just grunt?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 12:38 pm
Reading Kanne’s dissent was quite persuasive and jives with my prior experiences with the trial judge, Rebecca Pallmeyer. Gus Frerotte is correct; Kanne’s dissent will be the basis for the appeal en banc to the 7th Circuit and then to the SCOTUSA. Also, good point that Kanne at least previously served as a trial judge.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 12:45 pm
jibes

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 12:49 pm
If Filan’s on vacation then th av budget is completed. Blago is just waiting for what he thinks is an opportune time to drop the other shoe. Rich is correct, the Ryan ruling may just give him the cover he so desperately needs. But he’d better hurry.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 12:49 pm
AC, I wouldn’t make the assumption that the vetoes were done yesterday. Not sure it was. At least, I’m hearing that it wasn’t.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 12:54 pm
Rich, I defer to your viewpoint - your sources are better than mine. But I’m not taking off my tinfoil hat just yet.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 12:56 pm
I don’t think George Ryan can save Blago now. The press for the gov. is just going to continue to get worse. The cuts he is threatening are already being played out in the media as essential services being denied the people of Illinois by their egotistical governor. If he is trimming “pork” it certainly isn’t being portrayed that way.

Comment by Leigh Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 12:57 pm
But, if it is done, AC, then we’re bound to see it filed later today, when everybody is busy covering the Winston & Strawn press conference about the verdict.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 12:58 pm
Shouldn’t we take Paul a lawnchair to sit in on the sidewalk outside the Index Division on Monroe?

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 1:04 pm
thanks for the editing Rich

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 1:06 pm
What in tarnation are we talking about Blago using this for cover. FYI, with any real chance of Ryan getting off now gone, Blago just moved up to priority one for the Feds. Forget using Ryan for cover, Blago needs to stick his head between his legs and kiss….

If Blago had any brains, he would use the media cover to Drain the campaign fund and take the state jet to a country of non extradition.

Comment by the patriot Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 1:20 pm
Interesting how, after all these years, Ryan is still more relevant than Blags.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 1:30 pm
Quickly read the Ryan decision over lunch. I tend to agree with the dissenting justice that this case should be vacated and new trial ordered. The removal of the one juror who kept insisting the government failed to prove its case on top of threats of potential criminal action against jurors (causing prosecutors to grant immunity against prosecution “going forward” only) certainly had a “chilling effect” on any thoughts towards voting against any convictions.

I also agree with the dissent’s statement that had this been a 6 week trial instead of a 6 month one, a mistrial would have been immediately declared. The length of the trial, deliberations and investigations was cited repeatedly by the two justices voting to uphold the convictions. It seemed pretty clear that the trial judge was determined to get a verdict no matter what, and was hell-bent on avoiding another 6 month trial.

This isn’t what our forefathers envisioned. And they would have been appalled over the way the jury was treated and the way the jury behaved.

Justice obtained in a less than fair fashion is not justice.

Comment by LouisGAtsaves Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 1:31 pm
will likely be within 72 hours per standard operating procedure. Regardless of how you feel about the man, being told that after Friday, you won’t see the outside world for at least 5 years sucks.

Comment by Check in time Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 1:36 pm
George is to report to Duluth on Friday.

Comment by What he told me Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 2:06 pm
This is terrible what if we dont get expanded healthcare and springfield gets it $40k for ice skating lessons just doesnt seem right does it

Comment by Daaa Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 2:10 pm
George will have to go to either Rochester, MN or Springfield, MO for medical evaluation & risk assignment 1st. If Duluth is the agreed upon final destination, he’ll probably go via Rochester.

Comment by Distant Observer Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 2:10 pm
FIlan’s taking a vacation and politicians are voting themselves raises. To be fair to Filan, what rational person would have expected the budget to be undecided in late August?

Comment by Wumpus Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 2:15 pm
The sooner Ryan is behind bars the better off we’ll all be. It’s ridiculous to waste taxpayer money on appeal after appeal on technical grounds. It’s time to leave for Club Fed.

Comment by Way Northsider Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 2:39 pm
It is time for Bush to step in for Big George. Just as he did for another buddy. He will stay the order.

Comment by Marbley Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 2:41 pm
Left unsaid -

Chicagoans are a bunch of liars.

The jury pool demonstrates it.

Is there any other jurisdiction in the U.S. where so many jurors would have lied through their teeth like they did here. And the trial judge would have provided cover for them like she did here?

Judge Kanne’s decision is so well written that the full Circuit Court can’t help but reverse the convictions.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 3:31 pm
What are the odds of a presidential pardon or commutation?

Reasons for a include: age (I’m sure an illness has already been arranged); support of Big Jim for both Bushes from the beginning; local story, no national fallout.

Reasons against include: could wound Illinois GOP even more (if that’s possible); Scooter Libby hangover; Ryan infamously “supported” Phil Gramm.

My guess is no pardon, but an outside chance at a commutation, if the president is in a good mood.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 3:37 pm
Thank you, anonymous.

A pardon has to be applied for and it hasn’t been.

Ryan and Bush have little to no relationship due to the death penalty issue.

Comment by What he told me Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 3:47 pm
There seems to be a lot of support for the dissent in this case, but I have to respectfully disagree. The dissent is speculative, appears to address issues not in the record (or raised by the defendants) and fails to refute any of the determinations made by the majority. I predict the petition for rehearing en banc will be denied.

Comment by Doubtful Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 3:51 pm
Good point, WHTM. Let’s move on from the pardon stuff. It’s way too premature and even a bit silly.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 3:51 pm
Money quote from the Dissent:

During the course of the interrogations, the jurors were granted immunity from prosecution by the U.S. Attorney.

If this isn’t grounds for overturning the verdict, nothing ever will be.

Comment by True Observer Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 3:58 pm
After all this is Chicago-

Possible outcome: Plea bargain. Ryan does 6 months in return for ceasing further appeals.

Comment by True Observer Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 4:03 pm
I see that Thompson has announced that Ryan will further waste taxpayer’s money by asking for an en banc hearing and a continuation of his appeal bond. Talk about chutzpah. Hasn’t Thompson tarnished his reputation enought with his conduct in the Hollinger mess? Thompson was extolling the virtues of the dissent, but you know if the decision was 2-1 the other way he would be stating what a dissent really is — not worth the paper it is written on.

Comment by Not So Fast Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 4:04 pm
Filan should be called upon to resign. How dare the budget chief take a vaction of all things during the state’s budget crisis. But, I will say it is in lock step w/ this administration…nothing surprises me anymore.

Comment by scoot Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 4:11 pm
Filan probably had tickets to Cancun he had to use while it was still there. Pretty much in line with his other financial planning genius. Too bad for George. Another round of desperate appeals. Rich, since Ryan was out on bail because of the possibility of his winning the appeal, does this mean he will have to start serving his time since he lost this appeal?

Comment by Justice Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 4:14 pm
Funny. Budget staff from around the state have been cancelling their vacations left and right for 3 months now, and Filan still takes his.

This is typical John Filan - only thinking of himself. My opinion is that a LOT of this year’s mess isn’t the Gov - it’s all Filan.

Comment by Budget Hack Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 4:14 pm
Justice, scan the comments. Your answer is there.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 4:15 pm
And yes, we all know that Ginger Ostro is the Director of the Bureau of Micro Management and Budget, but we also all know that Filan continues to pull all the strings.

Comment by Budget Hack Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 4:16 pm
Sorry bout that. Thought they were speculating and not stating absolute fact. Unless your name is on the response, I tend to wait, or ask.

Comment by Justice Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 4:23 pm
:)

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 4:25 pm
Is Rod Blagojevich able to issue pardons?

Comment by Crimefighter Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 4:38 pm
He can’t pardon convictions of federal crimes.

Comment by GoCubs Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 4:42 pm
People going without their budget or state checks will talk louder than Ryan’s mess.

Comment by DOWNSTATE Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 4:44 pm
While it would be nice to see justice served, what is the point at this juncture in the Ryan trial? The appeals process took nearly one year to come to fruition, and Ryan has yet to set a foot in prison. Perhaps Fitz’s office should just ask the judge for home confinement lasting the rest of Ryan’s life. This case is costing taxpayers a fortune.

If Fitz truly wants to make an impact, he needs to go after current players. If not, he is merely chasing old ghosts. Scooter Libby’s conviction was relevant to today’s politics, and even though Bush pardoned him, I think it made some people take notice. By going after Ryan and other past-their-prime people, politicians will continue to be shortsited.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 5:03 pm
Justice Kanne is on point no matter how you look at it. He reasons with a mind of pure justice and not political bias. The prosecutions granting of immunity to jurors who perjured the court was biased and unfair. For Ms. Pallmeyer to allow this immunity includes her as biased. If she had dismissed all jurors who perjured the court, there would have never been technicalities to appeal from. But in her rush and frustration to end what she admitted as being a difficult trial, she allowed her personal partisan to interfere. What is even more peculiar is that PatFIZ did not issue the statement today for the prosecution.

LouisGAtsaves - Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 1:31 pm:
Could agree with you more.

Justice Diane P. Woods needs to find her another job as a defense attorney. She’s so biased and political that the fishes are screaming foul while they are jumping out of the water

Comment by Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer Errored Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 5:21 pm
Im sorry I engaged in prosecutorial misconduct as Judge Kanne elluded to in his dissent. Dont throw the book at me, i’ll send myself to jail. Pat Collins has already left and Gary Shapiro will leave with me. We’ll throw ourselves over the boat for this one.

Comment by Pat Fitzgerald Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 5:32 pm
I wonder what old George has on Thompson??? There seems to be no other explanation for a law firm incurring such huge costs to defend someone, even a former governor, and covering them pro bono. Don’t they have to answer to their shareholders?

Comment by Disgusted Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 6:05 pm
Law firms are partnerships, and don’t have shareholders. In fact, they can’t.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 6:09 pm
George is free on appeal, again! We were praying for him.

Comment by What he told me Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 6:20 pm
The Speed Racer/aka BlunderboyBlago ended his day of non activity with a crisp letter to the leaders whining about the supplemental appropriation, which passed 5-31, and contained some cash for school construction. After nearly 3 months of inaction he blames everyone else for the failure to give the schools some cash and forgets his bumpkins could have got things done.
Another demonstration of the Admin Motto
“We Don’t Know and We Don’t Care

Comment by Mr. W.T. Rush Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 6:45 pm
This entire budget situation has left me scratching my head and laughing.
The last time I ever witnessed anything this dramatic was when I was a child.
I was watched by a babbysitter and on really hot summer days I was forced inside and was also forced to watch soap operas and talkshows. Never did I imagine that any of those TV writers would wind up running a state government, but it appears they have.

Comment by George Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 7:16 pm
State Official Fruit, check. Budget, no. While I applaud the classroom that worked hard to bring their project forth, I really hope Rod does not run out of ink with all these other bills he’s signing the last couple days. He’s such a drama master.

Rich, I appreciate all the up to minute news you bring to this site. Didn’t know where else to say ‘thanks’. Instead of scanning 20 different papers for what is usually out dated news,I can just ‘refresh’ the Cap.Fax.

Comment by Princeville Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 7:37 pm
While I agree with Rich that it’s too early and awfully silly to spout this cr?p, I think commuting Ryan’s sentence would be one of the very few things I might agree with President Bush on. If he, you know, actually did the right thing for once.

Bias aside, Ryan’s been convicted, stripped of his pension (for all intents and purposes), and publicly humiliated as he, at the end of the day, so richly deserved.

Let’s face it: although he has some culpability in the horrible Willis family deaths, if he starts serving prison time soon, Bush should commute his sentence on January whatever, 2009.

Not for nothing, but I hope Micheal Vick gets much more time than that.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 8:02 pm
I’ve never posted to a blog before but there is always a first time for everything. If there is anyone left out there who is a supporter of this guy who works for the “middle class working folks” here’s my little nugget. My wife and I were just told that we have no jobs, no paychecks and no insurance because we are waiting on the budget to be signed and then notified about grant funding due to our school district. It will be at least 3 weeks until we know anything. Hope Mr. Filan has a good vacation.

Comment by My first time Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 8:15 pm
George Ryan doesn’t deserve any more breaks…cause he let a bunch of guilty people off death row without review a single case to determine how the jury got it wrong…the bad karma is back to bite him.

Comment by Crimefighter Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 8:29 pm
Anyone who thinks Governor Ryan didn’t look very closely at individual cases while reviewing the death penalty issue just doesn’t know what they are talking about.

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 8:41 pm
Rich– I would be very interested in finding out how much George Ryan has spent on lawyers, and compare that to how much Rod Blagojevich has spent…..on the same law firm I might add.

Comment by It's Just Me Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 9:45 pm
Seem like everyone has a short memory regasrding former Gov. Ryans tenure. His arrogance in passing taxpayer money to his selected few consumed untold billions of dollars that were intended to revamp out aging infrastructure like bridges…) So much of that money went to phoney signage projects of favors to elected officials, while the pension, school funding and property tax issues were ignored.

His offenses were more egregious than Dan Walker’s or Otto Kerner’s, so prison time is not an unreasonable sentence.

Conviction, loss of pension, humiliation are the first steps. No prison for his level of offence would make a mockery of our system, kind of like what the current Gov is up to.

It these something in the water in Springfield that promotes such hubris?

Comment by plutocrat03 Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 10:49 pm
Official fruit taken care of, fine.

Official Nut, well, he’s busy re-tooling the state constitution.

Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Aug 21, 07 @ 10:57 pm
Ryan did NOT look at the cases from an individual
perspective. He could not possibly have done
that BECAUSE VIRTUALLY ALL of them are GUILTY. His
blanket wipe out of death row is one of the most
cynical acts from a government official in history.
Victims do not forget. And guys like Aaron Patterson, who got actually hurt more people than
his most publicized case, now rots for more
crime after. thanks George for putting evil
back on the streets.

Comment by amy Wednesday, Aug 22, 07 @ 9:04 am
This thread isn’t about Ryan’s commutations, but it is interesting that Ryan’s judge — Rebecca Pallmyer — is the same judge that just sentenced Aaron Patterson for his post-release crimes. I’d speculate on their upcoming adventures as cellmates (I smell sitcom premise!), but I’d assume they’re going to different level facilities.

Comment by Muskrat Wednesday, Aug 22, 07 @ 9:23 am
Why is it premature or silly to consider requesting a pardon? You think this is going to the Supreme Court? What’s the percentage of cases accepted? He’s on his way to jail. A stalwart of the GOP and long-time supporter of the Bushes, Big Jim, is the only friend he has. What does he have to lose by asking?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 22, 07 @ 9:32 am
Steve Schnorf, YOU sir don’t know what you’re talking about…cause guess what, George Ryan was a guest on WMAY’s Let’s Talk Law years ago about the death penalty move, I called in and asked him on ONE specific case, Dale Lash kidnap and murder of Lori Seschler(sp?) and leaving a baby abandoned in a car at Parkway Point right here in Springfield. Remember that, he just got sentenced to death for the crime, I called in and asked him how did the jury screw up this case that he should not get the death penalty, what was wrong with the case? He gave an answer that he couldn’t tell who was guilty or who wasn’t so I commuted everyone on death row…he DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER! That means he DID NOT REVIEW A SINGLE CASE! He gave a blanket order to let everyone off! I then asked if he did this so he’d have SOMETHING to show for his disasterous run as governor…and all heck broke loose with his I’ve been one of the best governors in Illinois blah blah blah blah.

Comment by Crimefighter Wednesday, Aug 22, 07 @ 9:42 am
Pluto has a good point. Ryan’s initiatives caused massive budgetary problems. I remember being in college during his tenure and studying how all of his spending priorities and projects would eventually cause our state grief. Our budget has exploded over the past several years and now we can’t get our bearings together. And since our gutless legislators refuse to cut programs and initiatives, we’re stuck with the legacy of Ryan’s overspending and somewhat of a disregard for deficits. Even Steve Schnorf can’t defend blowing that big of a hole into our budget.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Aug 22, 07 @ 9:43 am
On cue this morning was Michael Sneed with yet another schmaltzy column portraying the Ryans as dear lovable Grampa and Grandma persecuted by the courts. I know the Sun-Times is a second-rate tabloid but even they should have canned Sneed by now.

Comment by Central Illinoisan Wednesday, Aug 22, 07 @ 9:55 am
Did something happen to rich? never seen the site with day old posts (excluding weekends)

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Aug 22, 07 @ 10:13 am
Well Sneed needs to do something other than blow kisses at the Burkes.

Comment by Not So Fast Wednesday, Aug 22, 07 @ 10:15 am