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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:

Certainly NOT!! If Durbin persues this issue he's NO BETTER than Ryan, just one more politician covering for another. Ryan has never shown one bit of remorse for the things he has done. As far as PAIN & SUFFERING, what about the family that was devistated by Ryan's crooked deeds, they lost much more than fame & fortune, they lost their CHILDREN. Ryan's sentence was too light in the first place. --Ronald C. Korbitz

George Ryan betrayed the trust of the people of Illinois. If Mr. Ryan was a regular citizen and sent to jail, there would be no pardon for him. So, I believe that Mr. Ryan should serve his sentence like any other citizen who has been convicted of a crime. Sen. Durbin may not get my vote when he runs for office again if he goes to bat on this pardon. --Zettia Gillas

NO, he did the crime so he needs to do the time. --Helen Trippiedi

Yes he should. Politicians are not above the law, but George Ryan has served some time and is getting old, and his wife needs him to help her. --Lynn Banfield

I do not think George Ryan's sentence should be commuted. Mr. Ryan has not shown any remorse. Most people think politicians do not have to live up to the same standard of conduct as the rest of the American people and to commute his sentence would prove it is true. --Joanne

No, He broke the publics trust and he needs to serve out his sentence just like all the other criminals. Are we suppose to feel sorry for him because he is rich or famous? --Bert Gregory

yes, george didn't do anything that other governors and politcians have done. i am very sorry for that family involved in the crash but i don't think you can blame the former governor for that. all of government needs to be reformed, only problem is it is in their hands. --Dan Santucci

No. Wht Have Put A Jury Through All The Trouble If Justice Dosent Listen. No One Person Should Have The Power To Make That Change. --Richard Clot

His sentence should not be commuted. All we here is his plight in jail. I don't hear one thing from the media or from Sen. Durbin about the bad things that came out of this, namely the Willis's children that were killed by a truck driver who received his license through bribery that was during Ryan's tenure as Secretary of State in Illinois. --Rodney

No. I believe that George Ryan should have to serve his sentence just like any other criminal. The fact that he is older should have no bearing on this. He was corrupt and pardoning him would send a message that corruption in government will be overlooked. No more special favors for "celebrity" criminals! --Cyndi Kehoe

NO WAY He stole all that money and should have to pay for it,if that was anyone else they would have to stay in there. --Catherine Laukert

no dont realease him he was so smug when sentancied like it was are fault when other are sent to jail they serve his how time its more of how we pay for the few this is why the economy is messed up like todd stroger saying he is hurting for money but he has passed a raise for him and the board when he wants everyone else to take a day or more on payied if they all did the budget would be balanced --Cris Henry

I don't think Durbin should ask for Ryan's release from jail, Ryan did the crime he should do the TIME, nothing special about him. --Karen

Not No, but Hell no, I've lived in Kankakee all my life, and I believe the only reason Old George did away with the Death pentaly was to save his own ass when he went to Jail. --Jim Kadow

How can we forget the suffering of the Willis family who lost their 6 children. George Ryan has "suffered enough"...I think not. --Joe in Glenview

He was convicted for his crimes he should finish his sentence like any other felon. Just because he was a politician, does not make him any different from the next 70 year old prisioner. Is the next step going to be restoring his state pension? --Diana Rud

Would we show leniency to a con man who conned someone out their savings? Ryan conned a whole state! Definitely DON'T commute his sentence. --Marc Solomon

He is a grown man and he knows he did wrong so he should stay in jail. --Kathy

I don't think he is worthy of this, even though he commuted the death sentences of others, he is not sentenced to death-although he will not see the light of day. Let the lessons be learned. Crime does not pay. --John Price

No, George Ryan's wife had no problem living the high life off of taxpayer monies. He should serve his full sentence. Other politicians need to see consequences for unlawful behavior! --Susan

Why pardon him? There were other family's affected by his actions that nothing can be done for now, so why give him a break. Every person is resposible for his own actions! --John

I think he should at least do most of his time. He is no better than the ordinary person. His age should not be a factor --Marie

NO DEFINITELY NOT. This is why political figures feel they can do wahtever they want because eventually after conviction someone opens the jail cell door. Ryan betrayed the public in one of the most dispicable ways. Maybe Senator Durbin should ask the couplewho lost their children in the minivan fire to a driver who brought his CDL license. I regret voting for Ryan and most recently Senator Durbin. --Jesse Jimenez

No, absolutely not, because of his greed in the license for hire a family lost there children, he lived the high life and now his has to pay his debt to society. --Sharon D.

Yes I do. Even thought Ryan was convicted, he still has to live in the shadow of his legacy. To me, that's jail enought for him. Not to mention, I feel comapassion for his wife. --Gene Guidera

So Mrs. Ryan cried. What about all the tears for the family of six who so tragically died because of him. He is where he belongs and Peter Fitzgerald did his job. Now, Durbin should do his and put in legislation to ensure people like Ryan aren't tempted to do wrong again. If Durbin wants to be a priest, he should resign and let someone else do the job. I'm sorry I voted for Durbin. --Donna Strong

I think that George Ryan should not be commuted. He should serve out his time like anyone else would have to do. He is no better than a hard working person --Joan Schmit

YES I DO ITHINK HE DID MORE 4 IL THEN ROD DID --MUDDY!

NO! What gives him the right to get pardoned. He did wrong and he should pay for it. His age has nothing to do with it. Age didn't affect him when he did wrong. He needs to serve his sentencing time. These Politicians do crime and then get pardoned. This has to stop! Clean up the Government by not pardoning these CROOKS! Make them pay!! --Cheryl

Yes, Bush has done this in the last few days to people that have done worst. He has done good things for Illinois and this country. --Bill

No, it should not be commuted. I'm tired of politicians playing the "good old boys' club" and manipulating the law. Governor Ryan did the crime and should pay the time like so many others. He's considered a white collar criminal and privileged anyway. Why should he get better treatment? He should stay in prison. --David Kyllo

yes! you do the crime, you do the time!!! --Peggy Conrad

Yes, Unless they're going to lock up every crooked politician Ryan should go free. It seems they used him to make an example of, they took everything including his pension, let him go. --Jill

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