Jun 15, 2006 7:06 pm US/Central
Willis Family Publishes Book On Forgiveness
Six Of Their Children Were Killed In A Crash Linked To License For Bribes Scandal
by Mike Parker
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Scott and Janet Willis lost six children in a 1994 van crash later linked to the licenses for bribes scandal.
As CBS 2's Mike Parker reports, the couple has written a new children's book about forgiveness.
The book -- "Dad's Delight" -- is the true story of how the couple's son, Hank, violated family rules and broke a window with a baseball. His father, Scott, forgave the boy.
"Giving mercy," the story says, "was Dad's delight."
But the Willises have struggled with forgiveness for former Gov. George Ryan, who was convicted in April on corruption charges.
"I think the incident of squashing the investigation was done willfully," said Scott Willis. "That was a criminal act. "
When asked whether he had forgiven Ryan, Scott Willis said: "Forgiveness comes with admission."
Ryan has never admitted wrongdoing in the case. The Willises revealed Thursday that during their visits to Ryan's corruption trial, they hoped Ryan would approach them, but never did.
"I pray that someday there will be reconciliation, that Mr. Ryan will have forgiveness just like we need forgiveness," said Janet Willis, who wrote and illustrated the book.
Since receiving a $100 million settlement from the crash, the Willises have been living near Nashville. They say most of the settlement proceeds have gone to various religious charities, including Kids' Club, an after-school tutoring program at Chicago's Cabrini Green Public Housing Complex.
All the money from sales of the book will go to Kids' Club.
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