Ryan Release Seems Unlikely

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jan 19, 2009 8:40PM

According to the state's senior U.S. senator Dick Durbin, it looks unlikely that outgoing President George W. Bush will commute the sentence of former Illinois governor George Ryan. Durbin had requested the commutation for Ryan, but the Blagojevich scandal likely derailed any chances of that happening. According to Durbin, speaking at a pre-inauguration coffee, “It was very clear to me that scandal had an impact on President Bush’s decision. And I think it is highly unlikely that a pardon will be issued for former Gov. Ryan before George Bush leaves office. I think the atmosphere and environment of scandal and corruption makes it more difficult for President Bush to consider." Earlier, President Bush issued a commutation of sentences for two border guards in a move called "his final acts of clemency."