Former Illinois Governor George Ryan Dies at 91
George Ryan, the former Illinois governor known for halting executions and clearing death row, has died at 91 at his home in Kankakee while receiving hospice care. A pharmacist turned politician, Ryan served from 1999 to 2003 before being convicted of corruption linked to a scandal that resulted in the deaths of six children, for which he was sentenced to 6½ years in prison. Despite his controversial legacy, including his significant reform of the death penalty, Ryan expressed remorse for his actions and was a family-oriented leader throughout his life.
