George Ryan Star at Goodman Upsets Some

By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 28, 2010 4:40PM

ABC7 investigative reporter Chuck Goudie, wearing his hat as a weekly columnist for the Daily Herald, points out a tribute to former Governor George Ryan embossed in the sidewalk outside the Goodman Theater that has rubbed some patrons of the theater the wrong way.

A star in the sidewalk with Gov. Ryan's name underneath is among many stars outside the Goodman's walkway has drawn snide remarks from some and astonishment from others that it hasn't been removed since Ryan was convicted of corruption. Goudie then reminds readers of the seminal event that happened which led to Ryan's imprisonment — the 1994 accident where a part of a truck fell off and struck a van driven by Rev. Scott Willis. Six of Rev. and wife Janet Willis's children were killed in the accident; the driver of the truck later was found to have obtained his license via a bribe. The ensuing investigation eventually led to Ryan.

Goudie reminds readers that Ryan's apologies to the Willises in subsequent years have been, in a word, lacking:

"(T)he only apology Ryan has ever offered for his conduct or to the children’s parents, the Rev. Scott Willis, his wife, Janet, and their surviving siblings, has been during his incessant efforts to get out of prison early.

"The tragic crash of the Willis family van and its connection to Ryan’s corruption paint a much different legacy for the ex-governor, who once was a respected elected leader, than what his earlier political days may have portended.

"U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer recounted Mr. Ryan’s ultimate legacy of corruption in her 59-page ruling denying the ex-governor’s early release, even into the arms of his ill wife.

"Judge Pallmeyer reminded us that while governor, Ryan received a 'stream of benefits' intended to 'influence his official action' and that Ryan 'accepted those benefits with the intent to be influenced.'

"The federal jury, she wrote, 'must have believed he (Ryan) received a bribe.'”