Steve Warmbir: December 2008 Archives

As former Gov. Ryan awaits word on whether his prison sentence will be commuted, he offered on Friday what he described as a public apology, through his high-powered attorney, former Gov. Jim Thompson.

Below is the text of the apology.

What we want to know, BackTalk readers, do you feel it's sincere and is it enough to spring him from prison after serving a little more than a year on a 6 1/2 years prison sentence?

The apology:

I must say something that I have known in my heart has been a long time coming. And that is a truly heartfelt apology to the people of Illinois. It has been a difficult journey for me to get to this point, as I truly believed in my service to the people, but it was less than my best, and for that I am sorry.
I want to make things right in my heart with God, with my family, and with those that I have hurt. As a former public official, a husband, a father, and a grandfather, I apologize. Even though I cannot undo my mistakes, I hope I can restore some faith in your hearts and minds by opening up and sharing these thoughts. And even though it took time for me to come to this place, in the end my goal is to do the right thing, no matter how tardy or flawed.
I sincerely hope that by coming forward today, my words in some way might help in the healing process of restoring the people's faith in their government and others that want to serve. In addition to damaging the public's trust and confidence in government, I realize my mistakes had other implications and tangible effects on my constituents and the citizenry. I know that Reverend and Mrs. Willis suffered such effects -- an unimaginable pain and loss -- from mistakes made in my administration, both by me and others on my watch. My heart has and always will go out to the Willis family. They, like all of the people of Illinois, deserved far better than I gave them.

Mayor Daley's plan to cut back on plowing and salting on side streets has been . . . less than successful, early on this winter.

That is if the howls of outrage from residents are any indication.

Today, Ald. Tom Allen is asking the mayor to do something about it. Read the Sun-Times story here.

Let's here your horror stories. Don't leave out the details.

We've asked you what the best -- or worst -- parts of the criminal complaint are against Gov. Blagojevich.

Now, we want you, clever BackTalk readers, to put on your Perry Mason caps and tell us what creative defenses you can come up with for our governor when he has his day in court.

Insanity -- as some have suggested?

He was just "talking tough" as one must in Illinois politics, but really didn't mean what he said?

Or...what's wrong with looking out for your family?

Granted, we may be stretching, and that's why we want to hear from you.

Shoot us your suggestions.

You can love or hate the criminal charges against Gov. Blagojevich.

But you've got to admit, the criminal complaint is a heckuva read.

If you haven't read it, do yourself a favor and check it out. In certain sections, it's a potboiler.

If you have read it, what's your favorite part?

Is it when the governor allegedly considers yanking the state funding to Children's Memorial?

Or when he talks about the possibility of an ambassadorship?

Or maybe when his wife appears to lose it over the Tribune?

Tell us your favorite section and why.

On Monday, Sen. Dick Durbin said he was asking President Bush to release former Gov. George Ryan from prison early, after the corrupt governor spent a little more than a year behind bars.

His sentence is 6 1/2 years.

On Tuesday, the Chicago Sun-Times editorial page criticized Durbin's decision. You can read the editorial here.

What do you think of springing the 74-year-old former governor from prison?

Let us know in the comments section.