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  We asked if you think Sen. Durbin should ask President Bush to commute former Gov. George Ryan's sentence. Here are your responses: 

Great idea! At least it would be consistent with how the justice system works( or doesn't) As long as we saw Gerald Ford pardon Richard Nixon, and then go to pardon those who had fled to Canada to avoid the draft, anyone could be pardoned. What about Osama Bin Laden? After all, this poor guy is growing older and is probably very tired of hiding. George Ryan should serve every day of his sentence! Whether or not he is old, or sick or whatever, I think that he is getting off easy. He has shown no remorse, and given no excuses for his actions. I sincerely hope that he is very miserable in the slammer, and lives a long time there! There is no lower form of criminal than he who is elected to a position of the public trust, then viloates it. I'd would have more respect for someone who robs me at gunpoint on the street because he is starvung than a slimy politician like Ryan. --Joseph Martinek

NO!!!! I don't care if he dies in prison. That is God's decision. Ryan acts like he is God. George Ryan is a convicted felon. He must serve his punishment in full, his time to the last minute of the last hour of the last day of his sentence. No mercy - none! I voted for Ryan and I regret my decision. He and his gang of crooks, dragged all of us through the long trial(s) when he knew he was guilty but he was not decent or man enough at any time, even after being convicted to say "I'm sorry" for betraying every person in the state of Illinois and my condolences to the Willis family. Senator Durbin has the nerve to even bring this disgusting issue before us. He needs to get to work and put his efforts in a better place. I hope President Bush puts any and all documents re: a commute or pardon or any mercy for George Ryan in the SHREDDER! Any intervention by anyone to commute Ryan would be a slap in the face to the hard working, dedicated prosecutors. And, that Jim Thompson, when will we be done with him? I regret the times I voted for that man..he is disgusting and a disgrace. --Sue Hartman

George Ryan gave his life to this state and got screwed the Democrats where after him and inspite of the evidence he was convicted! Would like to ope the closet's of Dick Durbin ! Geo Ryan gave his life to this state and the State(Dem's) screwed him they took away his life his Pension's you have totaly destroyed him , his family and his life! Yes pardon him and at least let him live out his life with his family! That could be at least the dignity you could give him. --John Gordon

Tell me what happens to all the other people who commited a federal crime, do they get pardoned also. No because the were not a political figure who had ties with the president. Personaly I don't care who you are if you were found guilty of any crime you should pay the price or do the time that your peers (the public) thought neccasary to do. It doesn't matter that these other people in prison are suffering from an illness, They don't get to go home to die. Why should he. --Tim

Absolutely not!!! He was sentenced by a judge and that should be respected. Mr Ryan choose not to be honest and now he should pay the price like any other criminal. How many other prisoners is Mr Durbin advocating the release of? I am sure there are many families that would like to be released early. --B C

No, I do not. I think he should have to complete his sentence. I do not feel sorry for him at all. --Gay Dall

Absolutely not. This sends the wrong mesage to every criminal in jail. Do the crime and you don't have to finish your time. --Laurie Jaffe

Absolutely not! Mr. Ryan was in public office and held the confidence and the funds of the Illinois taxpayers; he abused both. Mr. Ryan maintained his innocence until the end and was found guilty. Too bad that he has now come upon financial hardship and difficult times. In no way has Mr. Ryan "served his time". --Lee Ann

Yes, let him rejoin his family. He's was a good gov. and a great family man!! --Larry Bauer

He should not pardon him. He is was convicted & should do his time. I it was you or me we wouldn't get a change to be pardon. It is more political BS. When is this crap going to stop? --Peggy Reichenberger

ABSOLUTELY NOT Senator Durbin, ex governor Thompson and Dan Webb are not remembering all of the BAD that he did during his political career. If he were not a high profile politician, his pardon would not even be considered. --Nancy Davis

No he should not commute his sentence, he commited a crime aand he should have to serve his tiem just like anyone else who commites a crime and is found guilty ! --Jan

NO! He should serve out his sentence just as the old Mafia guys have to. As is was, he remained "free" for quite a long time. He is arrogant, and as far as I know has never expressed regret for what happened to those children. The accident was partly the result of Secretary of State selling truckers licenses to unqualified drivers. I wonder how long his public service was filled with corruption. --Bert Gonzales

No, he should not ask to have him released. He showed no remorse and should serve an appropriate sentence. His age should be no factor. --Bev Terry

the answer is no,because of him people are still dying,from his corruption.He didn't care about the people of this state,why should we care about him.Tell sen.Durbin to work on getting our veterans their money,instead of thid non-sense,of freeing George Ryan.I forgot,he can't do two things at once either.Thank you. --Mike

Yes, I think Sen. Durbin should ask President Bush to commute George Ryan's sentence. I believe Ryan needed to pay for his crime, and in my opnion, he has paid enough. He endured a long trial, including massive expenses, and he has spent some time in jail. He is marked for the rest of his life. It would be a crime to let him spend the rest of his life in jail. Free Ryan and put a real hardened criminal in his place. Get a murderer, drug dealer, rapist or molester off the street instead. --Kim Daniel

Yes, yes, yes. George Ryan should be pardoned. He is an old man now. They should have gone after him when he was young--it is not right to go after someone when they are less than able to fight back. --M.R.

Yes...George Ryan has served enough time. For his family sake he should be released to die with some dignity. --Becky Murrao

Executive pardons should be abolished. As Secretary of State of Il. George Ryan was derlict of duty and the department was corrupt under his watch. The death penalty issue is mute when a family was wiped out because of a "bought" driver's license. --Mim Jurcev

NO........ What is Durbin thinking ? Ryan was found guilty let him serve his time. Just because he was governor is NO reason his sentence should be commuted. --Susie Eaton

Yes. Gov. Ryan's prosecution was completely politically motivated by members of his own party because of all the good he did regarding the death penalty and opening communication with Cuba. He and his family have suffered enough. This is no way to treat someone who has dedicated his life to public service. --Deb Baron

Absolutely not! Senator Durbin thinks George Ryan has suffered enough? What about all the people he has killed through his actions? Does he think one yr in prison will erase the pain his victims families suffer? That's a joke!  --Kathy Coglio

Absolutely not. He committed a crime and is directly responsible for the loss of life of a family, not to mention the responsiblity of crimes against Illinois. He should be responsible the same as any other criminal. If his prison term is commuted, shows again that power and money can buy you freedom. --Sue

No, George Ryan abused his position which costs lives and he has no remorse. --Paul Joyce

No way, If it was my family member he wouldn't be able to have his sentence commuted. He did the crime, let the SOB do his time!! It's just another case of politicians sticking up for each other again. --K. Timms

I most strongly do not! When the victims of his corruption can be resurrected then he should be given clemency. His issuance of fraudulent licenses has had tragic consequences. --Art Glasgow

I don't think that he should get a commute on his gail time. He was convicted by a jury and now his political friends want to get him out. True justice for the common man and not for politicians. --Les

I think it would a slap at the justice system for Sen.Durban to ask. It seems very strange that he didn't try this before the elections. It may have had an impact on the results. --Jim Frantz

NO he should not !! Is he going to ask for the same for every other prisoner that has the same circumstances (old, supposedly sick )or does he do this for his friends only? --MIKE OTTAWA

NO - George Ryan did all he could to "not" take responsiblity for the corruption under his control. He was a poor example of "how government should be run" and should pay the full measure for his lack of integrity and honesty while minding the state's governmental health. Many of us were dooped by his manipulation - he was tried by the court and now should be accountable for his crimes just like every "average" man is accountable. The great state of IL has been run into the gutter by the corruption of politicians! --Bonnie Kleinfeld

NO!!!! George Ryan needs to stay in jail all 6 years.. People have died, money has been missing. I voted for Senator Dick Durbin because I we are all Democrats.. He has no right to asking President Bush to commute it.. I have lost all respect for Dick Durbin ... NO!!!!!!!!!! --More

No way! Accountability starts with holding the ones we already caught and brought to justice responsible for their actions. What kind of precedent are we setting for future would-be law breakers and corruption happy politicians? Shame on Durbin for even considering this! --Shawn

What is Sen. Durbin thinking? George Ryan can never spend enough time in jail for all the wrong he did, and he has never shown one ounce of remorse-what arrogance!! --Carol Fox

Yes...George Ryan has served enough time. For his family sake he should be released to die with some dignity. --Becky

Absolutely not. George Ryan knowingly violated the public trust and cummuting his message would just confirm what the public already believes - that corrupt public officials will never have to serve their sentence if convicted because other politicians will find at way to get them out of prison. Moreover, the last thing Ryan did before leaving for prison was to again claim he was innocent despite the overwhelming evidence and despite the fact that he was convicted despite a million dollar defense he was provided free of charge. --B. Henry

ABSOLUTELY NOT ! ! ! --fsbljack

No. When the former governor gave a blanket comutation to all those on death row, he did not take into account those who murdered police officers, mothers and children, among others. It is only fair that he should pay for his blatent disregard for those who risk their life to protect us and for those who could not defend themselves. --Tom

Absolutely NO. There are NO imaginable reasons to pardon this crook. Regardless of his misery in prison, it pales in comparison to the misery of the families who suffered as a result of his illegal activities as Sec of State and as Governor. He should rot in prison. --Layne Holter

NO! Former Govenor Ryan should serve his sentence as required. Just because he was a prominent public figure doesn't mean he should get special treatment. What kind of message does that send to the public, other than if you you work for public office, you will be protected by those you work with. Maybe Ryan should have thought about spending the rest of his life in prison BEFORE he committed the crimes. --Dave

They should not give George Ryan any special treatment. Jail is a bad place, if we let out all the people who are suffering in jail we would have to empty the jails. --Don Krubl

He should remain in prison. He was found guilty and has shown no remorse. He shouldn't get special treatment just because he was a politician, but should be held to a higher standard. He was a public servant who betrayed the public's trust. --Nancy

No! Our justice system did its job with full knowledge of his age and health. So his money's gone? He's suffering terribly? The same can be said of me - but I didn't do any crime; I'm just a victim of long-term job discrimination. I did what I was supposed to do, get a useful college education and stay out of trouble, and am being treated like trash by all these darned fool employers. There are many legally innocent people who deserve to be "pardoned" from an economic sentence of destitution and lack of health insurance. --Jean SmilingCoyote

To see Senator Durbin asking former Governor Ryan's sentence to be commuted is a real disappointment. Just because Ryan is a former politician and in advanced age doesn't make him different from any other person. Ryan committed a crime, and defrauded the citizens of the State of Illinois, and needs to pay for those transgressions. --David Peterlinz

what about the kids that were killed did they get anything what he did to get elected was wrong and how many people were injured or died by people buying their license --eddiej

The question should be why does he deserve to be commuted. He is not the only older prisoner that proclaims to be innocent. What kind of example are we setting for our children. --Shanell

We've seen enough corrupt politicians excused by the buddy system. Spend your time on something more important. You also need to explain the last 8 years of decline in employment while the nation was adding jobs. --Alex Fuller

NO!!! and tell Sen. Durbin to butt out and Thompson and his scumbag law firm!! --ED

No, No. I worked for the city, if you miss utility bills or bill with the city, they get it out of your check before you. No mercy for me, why him. He reaped more than he sowed for the State of Ill. --Marie

NO! Years of taking advantage of the people of the state, forced patronage, no-bid contracts to friends, relatives on payroll doing nothing, etc. George Ryan got off easy with his sentence. How many other people went to prison for cause! --John

Yeah Ryan should get out. His loved one's miss him and his wife also misses him. He was a good man and what he did for the kankakee area. I dont live to far from where he lives at. --Joe

NO! I myself obtained a bogus License when Ryan was S.O.S. He is a Thief and should do the time as assigned to him. Walk away with respect!!! --Thomas West

No, George Ryan was convicted of this crime. He benefited from it while he was in office and should serve his sentense no matter what age he is. --Daniel Gleason

Why should he be treated differently than any other crook? --Charlotte Braun

Sounds like another "bail out" but of a different magnitude. --Keyon

No I do Not, Why? what will be done to bring back all those who had to lose their lives because of his poor leadership? What about Pastor Scott & Janet Willis...what can Durbin do to ease their pain and their lose? He needs to serve his time just like any other criminal. --Sandra

No, he should serve his sentence. --Ted Curran

No - Ryan needs to finish his sentence as any other felon does. He misused his governmental title to do illegal things that effected the citizens of Illinois. --EMB

Absolutely not- he did the crime and needs to do the crime as they say - would you or I be pardoned? NO What is going on with this government-bailouts and pardons-enough already --Nan

Yes, I feel that he is innocent. --Robert Carey

No. The law is the law, and making exceptions for Political figures is unethical. Besides, the President has enough to worry about right now while transitioning power to elect-Obama. --John Mannos

I ABSOLUTELY do NOT think that Senator Durbin should ask for Bust to commute Ryans sentence. EX GOV RYAN was a crook for YEARS and got away with it....he deserves everything he got. The only reason that he wasnt prosecuted earlier was that he remained in office for so many years. It sends a horrible lesson if he even ASKS to have it commuted. ONE YEAR....is not enough for the lives of the children that died in that crash. --Sue Conway

No, George Ryan is a criminal and, through his corrpution, a murderer as well. He should rot in prison to send a signal to other corrupt politicians in Illinois and Chicago. --Robert Johnson

Why should Ryan be commuted. The man did wrong and should pay for what he did. --John

No, Ryan has never said that he was sorry. What about the family in Wisconsin that was destroyed by his corruption. We have to put our crooked politicians away and show them that their tactics are wrong and we won't tolerate them. --Ted Knorring

No Way! I think George Ryan deserved everything he got and he should serve the full sentence. --Charlie Metz

Absolutely not!!! More than corruption was at stake here, lives were lost because of his crooked dealings. What kind of message does this send to those who are honest, and do what's right and follow the law? --Dianna

Absolutely not! If Senator Durbin, whom I eagerly voted for on Nov. 4th, asks for this commutation, he will become nothing but an elitist with no respect for the law in my eyes. We have people in our jails who committed less obscene crimes than Ryan, yet they are not going to receive Presidential pardons. The man does not deserve our pity or respect. --Tony

Yes he should. I think that Gov. Ryan is a fine man and certainly has done enough time. He has the respect of this Democrat. --Eileen Friedman

Ryan was convicted of racketeering. If he'd entered prison when convicted, he'd be almost out by now. He is a felon and doesn't deserve commutation for cheating Illinois taxpayers. I'm more curious what Durbin thinks he gets out of this. By the way, next up...Blagojevich. --Bill Smit

No. Sen. Durbin should not commute George Ryan's sentence. You do the crime you do the time as with all criminals. --David

Heck NO!!! If you can't do the time don't do the crime. He was convicted by jury after 6 months of testimony!! That's a lot longer than most criminal trials. --Aaron Riley

I don't think that Sen. Durbin should ask for clemency for George Ryan due to Mr. Ryan never showing any remorse for the wrong he has done and the lives lost because of it. --Shirlean

No! He killed 6 children! --Karen

No, I am tired of political corruption. --Gale Blanchard

NO, he should have to do all the time he was given. there are plenty of others in jail and prison the same age George Ryan is and didn't do anything as bad as he did. Why should George Ryan get SPECIAL TREATMENT becasue he was a corrupted Governor of Illinois? --Mariane "Turtle" Schultz

Why should we give someone who broke the law clemency. He broke the law, this would not be a discussion if this was an average citizen. People say that this has distraught his family, what about the people of Illinois the same people he stabbed in the back... We are also distraught by what he did!!! --Alberto Razo

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