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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Monday, November 16, 2009 10:23 PM CST
State Supreme Court reviews George Ryan's state pension request

By MIKE RIOPELL, JG/T-C Springfield Bureau

SPRINGFIELD – Imprisoned former Gov. George Ryan’s bid to keep at least part of his state pension is scheduled to be argued in the Illinois Supreme Court Wednesday.

Earlier this year, an appeals court ruled that Ryan could keep part of his state pension – as much as $65,000 a year – even though he was convicted of federal corruption charges from his time holding state office.

Previously, the state had ruled to deny Ryan his entire state pension.

Now, attorneys for Ryan and the state will argue the issue before the state Supreme Court Wednesday as Ryan serves his more than six-year term at a federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Earlier this year, Ryan’s attorneys estimated the former governor could get about $65,000 a year after an appeals court’s decision, down from the more than $100,000 per year he could have gotten if not convicted.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office will oppose Ryan, arguing the decision of the state pension board that Ryan shouldn’t get any of his pension is the right one.

“The Board correctly determined that Ryan forfeited all of his retirement benefits even though he committed the crimes that led to his felony convictions while he held the offices of Secretary of State and Governor,” Madigan spokeswoman Natalie Bauer said.

A message left for Chicago law firm Winston and Strawn, which has represented Ryan, was not returned.

Ryan’s attorneys argued that Ryan shouldn’t have to give up his pension earned while working as lieutenant governor, a state lawmaker and a Kankakee County official.

The court agreed, saying Ryan only had to give up pension benefits he accrued while secretary of state and governor because those were the offices he held while committing the acts he’d later be convicted of.

Though oral arguments are scheduled to be taken by the Supreme Court this week, an opinion might not come for months afterwards.

In the meantime, Ryan’s successor, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, awaits his own corruption trial that’s likely to start next year.

Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or 789-0865

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sapient wrote on Nov 17, 2009 10:31 AM:

" In my humble opinion Ryan should forfeit all of his pension for obvious reasons. "

just wondering wrote on Nov 17, 2009 4:49 PM:

" His pension should go to the family that lost their children in the wreck because of the unqualified driver his office gave a license to. He should just be thankful that he only got six years in jail instead of what he deserved. "

devilishangel61401 wrote on Nov 17, 2009 11:39 PM:

" I think that Mr Ryan lost all of the privalages of his office when he abused the powers of his office. No Mr Ryan should not be given his state pension. He was found guilty of the crimes he was charged with and therefore should forfit any of the "perks" that came with his positon. "