George Ryan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Ryan
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Official portrait, 1989
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| 39th Governor of Illinois | |
| In office January 11, 1999 – January 13, 2003 |
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| Lieutenant | Corinne Wood |
| Preceded by | Jim Edgar |
| Succeeded by | Rod Blagojevich |
| 36th Secretary of State of Illinois | |
| In office January 14, 1991 – January 11, 1999 |
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| Governor | Jim Edgar |
| Preceded by | Jim Edgar |
| Succeeded by | Jesse White |
| 42nd Lieutenant Governor of Illinois | |
| In office January 10, 1983 – January 14, 1991 |
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| Governor | Jim Thompson |
| Preceded by | Dave O'Neal (1981) |
| Succeeded by | Bob Kustra |
| 65th Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
| In office January 14, 1981 – January 10, 1983 |
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| Preceded by | William A. Redmond |
| Succeeded by | Arthur A. Telcser |
| Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
| In office January 12, 1977 – January 14, 1981 |
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| Preceded by | James R. Washburn |
| Succeeded by | Mike Madigan |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 43rd district |
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| In office January 10, 1973 – January 10, 1983 |
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| Preceded by | Multi-member district |
| Succeeded by | Judy Baar Topinka |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
George Homer Ryan
February 24, 1934 Maquoketa, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | May 2, 2025 (aged 91) Kankakee, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Lura Lowe
(m. 1956; died 2011) |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | Ferris State University (BS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Service years | 1954–1956 |
| Legal Information |
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| Criminal status | Released |
| Conviction(s) |
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| Criminal penalty | Served time after legal issues |
George Homer Ryan (February 24, 1934 – May 2, 2025) was an American politician. He served as the 39th Governor of Illinois from 1999 to 2003. He was a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming governor, he was Secretary of State of Illinois from 1991 to 1999. He also served as lieutenant governor from 1983 to 1991. Later, he faced legal challenges related to his time in public office.
Ryan was elected governor in 1998. He won against Democratic Congressman Glenn Poshard. He gained national attention in 2000 for stopping executions in Illinois. In 2003, he changed more than 160 death sentences to life sentences. He decided not to run for reelection in 2002 due to a scandal. He faced legal issues related to problems in the Secretary of State's office. He was released from federal supervision on July 3, 2013.
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Early Life and Education
George Homer Ryan was born in Maquoketa, Iowa. His parents were Jeannette (née Bowman) and Thomas Ryan. His father was a pharmacist. George grew up in Kankakee County, Illinois. His brother, Tom, also became a well-known political figure there.
In 1954, George was drafted into the US Army. He served for 13 months in Korea. During his service, he worked at a base pharmacy. After his military service, he attended Ferris State College of Pharmacy. This school is now known as Ferris State University.
Early Career in Business and Politics
After returning from Korea, George Ryan worked in his father's two drugstores. He helped grow these pharmacies into a successful family business. They sold prescription drugs to nursing homes. He later sold the business in 1990.
Ryan started his political journey on the Kankakee County Board. He served there from 1968 to 1973. His brother, Tom J. Ryan, was the Mayor of Kankakee for 20 years. In 1972, George was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives. He served five terms in this role.
In 1976, he became the House Minority Leader. As Minority Leader, he helped Republicans win a majority in the House in 1980. Because of this, he was elected Speaker in January 1981.
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In 1981, Dave O'Neal, the lieutenant governor, resigned. Governor James R. Thompson chose Ryan to be his running mate. They won the 1982 election. Thompson and Ryan were reelected in 1986. In 1990, Ryan was elected Secretary of State of Illinois.
Governor of Illinois
On August 30, 1997, Governor Jim Edgar announced he would not seek reelection. Three days later, Ryan announced he would run for governor. He won the Republican nomination easily. In the 1998 general election, he defeated Glenn Poshard. Ryan's running mate was Corinne Wood.
One of Ryan's main projects as governor was "Illinois FIRST." This program focused on improving Illinois's roads, schools, and transportation. The law was signed in May 1999. It provided $6.3 billion for various projects. This included funds for schools, public transportation, and roads.
He also worked to improve Illinois's technology. He created one of the first state-level Offices of Technology. Illinois's technology ranking improved significantly under his leadership. Ryan also provided record funding for education. In 1999, Ryan became the first U.S. Governor to meet with Cuban President Fidel Castro. This visit led to a $1 million donation of aid.
Focus on Capital Punishment
As governor, Ryan brought national attention to the topic of capital punishment. On January 31, 2000, he announced a stop to the death penalty in Illinois. He made this decision due to concerns about fairness in the justice system. He noted that more people had been released from death row than executed.
This issue gained public attention when Anthony Porter, a death row inmate, was nearly executed. His lawyers won a delay, and students from Northwestern University found new evidence. This evidence helped prove his innocence. Porter was released in 1999.
On January 11, 2003, just two days before leaving office, Ryan changed the sentences of all 167 people on Illinois's death row. He changed their sentences to life terms. He believed the death penalty could not be applied fairly. He also pardoned four inmates. These actions were praised by those who oppose the death penalty.
Personal Life
On June 10, 1956, George Ryan married his high school sweetheart, Lura Lowe. They had met in an English class. Lura grew up in Aroma Park. Her family had lived there since 1834.
The couple had five daughters and one son. Their daughters were Julie, Joanne, Jeanette, Lynda, and Nancy. Their son was named George Homer Ryan, Jr. Lura Lowe passed away on June 27, 2011, from lung cancer. George Ryan passed away at his home in Kankakee on May 2, 2025, at the age of 91.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 1989
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George Ryan in 1987
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George Ryan with Phil Crane and Richard M. Daley
