Kankakee County Board Backs Memorial To Ryan, Two Other Ex-Governors

Officials in Kankakee County have approved a memorial honoring three former governors from Kankakee, including convicted ex-Gov. George Ryan.

The Daily Journal reports the Kankakee County Board endorsed it in a 10-to-2 vote last week. It will be on the Kankakee County Courthouse lawn.

In addition to Ryan, a Republican, the memorial will be dedicated to Len Small, a Republican governor from 1921 to 1929; and Democrat Samuel Shapiro, a lieutenant governor who became governor when Otto Kerner left office in 1968 to become a federal judge. 

County Board Member Michael LaGesse (D-Kankakee) opposed it, saying he didn't get one call in favor.

Board member Robert Ellington-Snipes (D-Kankakee) expressed reservations, citing Ryan's corruption convictions. But he said Ryan also did some "good." He voted for the plan.

Ryan, now 84, served five years in prison and seven months in home confinement, following his 2006 conviction on federal corruption charges related to his time as governor and Illinois secretary of state.

Governor Len Small was acquitted of embezzlement charges stemming from his time as state treasurer, in a 1922 jury trial surrounded by accusations of jury tampering. He was later sued by the Illinois attorney general, and settled the case by paying $650,000 to the state.

The Woman's Club of Kankakee led the drive for the Ryan-Small-Shapiro memorial in the city about 80 miles north of Chanmpaign-Urbana. The group hopes to have it completed in October.