Illinois official, governor JB Pritzker, react to Kankakee leader to the death of the competitive former Illinois Governor George Ryan

Kankakee, Ill. (WLS) – Illinois politicians reacted on Friday to the death of the 91-year-old former Illinois governor George Ryan. The competitive Republican was governor from 1999 to 2003.

Ryan leaves a legacy that includes the termination of the death penalty in Illinois and the completion of things during the governor, but he also served time in prison for corruption accusation.

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The side of the former governor, who has him in prison, is the dark side of his story, but that is strong contrast to the gratitude that people have for his work to end the death penalty in Illinois.

The former governor was dealt with with him on Friday by those who dealt with him during his only term as governor, others who represented him during his corruption procedure, and others who worked with him to spend the moratorium on the death penalty.

Read more | The former governor of Illinois, George Ryan Dead at the age of 91, says the former Republican of the Republican House, Jim Durkin says

The former Republican governor in Illinois grew up in Kankakee, where he worked in the family pharmacy before starting a four -year career in the state government.

He rose from the spokesman for the Illinois House to the governor of Lt., the then foreign minister, and finally served as a governor from 1999 to 2003.

“Well, George Ryan was the best man ever worked for. He was a really good man,” said former Ryan press spokesman Dennis Culloton. “He loved his family, he loved it. He loved the government, loved the state, he loved the art of politics and he made some very brave stands as governor.”

Ryan made international headlines in 2000 when he made a moratorium on the death penalty of the state.

“My concern was basically when I left his office and didn't mind against it and had woken up one morning and found that innocent people had died. I would have to live the rest of my life,” said Ryan.

Andrea Lyon became a close friend during the fight to end the death penalty and later served as part of Ryan's defense team.

“He has been in hospice care for three days now,” said Lyon. “He was yesterday and today, pretty much not much, pretty communicative. He died at home what he wanted. He died of his daughters and his son what he wanted. He died in a circle of love.”

Ryan was known as someone who took care of people and is described as a politician of the old school who wanted to do things.

The former Republican leader of the Republican House, Jim Durkin, was in the legislature when Ryan was a governor.

“He was the person who was able to close the gap between Democrats and Republicans in the chambers,” said Durkin. “He was the person who bridged the gap between work and management in important topics. He loved to solve the problems … He took on his responsibility. And I think that shows a lot of character. People may never be forgiven what happened to the Willis family.

Ryan also went to prison for a corruption conviction in his time as Foreign Minister in Illinois, when commercial driver licenses were sold to non -qualified drivers, which led to a terrible accident in which six members of the Willis family were killed.

“George Ryan was acquitted of many charges,” said lawyer Dan Webb. “He was convicted of some cases. He served time in prison. He paid for his punishment. But I don't have to tell you that the story will be great.

It was a quiet Friday in the house in Ryan in Kankakee, where he lived for more than 60 years. Some congratulators came and went, but for the most part, the family's people gave their privacy.

In the meantime, Lila Bunting was built in the nearby KankaKee Rathaus in honor of Ryan and the flags were reduced.

Ryan lived most of his life in Kankakee. He worked in the family pharmacy before he was in the Kankakee County Board and represented the area in the general assembly.

His service is reminded of a wall near the district's court building, which recognizes the three governors of Illinois from Kankakee.

RELATED: 20 years after the commuting of 167 death sentences by Illinois, ex-GOV. George Ryan does not regret regret

The city leaders said that Ryan was strongly influenced in the community for decades. He was a founding member of the hundred club of Kankakee County, which supports families of fallen first aiders.

“In all the exams and difficulties over the years, he was a good man and he was good for this community, and everyone loved him here,” said Larry Osienga, former president of the hundred club of Kankake County.

The high school at the Kankakee Community College is named after Ryan. He brought resources there and had his hand in many local programs.

“He always kept Kankakee's heart,” said Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis. “He delivered countless people resources, not only institutions and government agencies, but also families and individuals, and I think that this is his permanent legacy what he did for the people in this area.”

In all the exams and difficulties over the years he was a good man and he was good for this community, and everyone loved him here. (9)

The mayor of Kankakee, who is also a neighbor and the family know well, said that the city will talk about opportunities to honor Ryan in the coming days and weeks.

Illinois governor JB Pritzker announced the following explanation:

“Send my deepest condolence to the family of the former governor Ryan and the relatives. May his memory be a blessing.”

The governor of Illinois Lt. Juliana Stratton divided the following explanation:

“Deeply sad to learn about the death of the former governor Ryan. Send his family and friends strength and raise them in prayer.”