Former Illinois Governor George Ryan, who served time for corruption, dies at 91

Posted on May 2, 2025

CHICAGO — Former Illinois Governor George Ryan, who served time in prison for corruption, has died at 91.

Ryan, a Republican who served as the 39th governor of Illinois from 1999 to 2003, died Friday, the Kankakee County Coroner confirmed Friday.

Alongside his time as Governor, Ryan also served as Illinois Secretary of State from 1991 to 1999 and as the state’s Lieutenant Governor from 1983 to 1991.

Following his time in office, Ryan was convicted on fraud and racketeering charges in 2006 and later served more than five years in federal prison.

Ryan had captured national headlines and angered some in his own party when he imposed a moratorium on executions in Illinois in January of 2000. Three years later, he commuted the sentences of 167 convicted who were on or waiting to be sent to Illinois’ death row.

Ryan’s cause of death is currently unclear.

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