On same day, ex-governor loses $197,000 pension

It was a day of good news and bad news for former Gov. George Ryan Wednesday.

First, the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Ryan does not have to start his 6½-year prison sentence in January and may remain free on bond pending appeal. Then the General Assembly Retirement System board stripped Ryan of a $197,000 annual pension, ruling his racketeering conviction wiped out benefits built up over a 35-year public career.

• • Former Gov. George Ryan will not go to prison Jan. 4 as previously scheduled. He can wait until his appeal concludes.

• • If his conviction is upheld, he must report to prison immediately.

• • The appellate court will not allow the appeal to drag out, asking that all briefs be turned in by the end of January.

• • After that, a three-judge panel will hear oral arguments in the case. No date has been set yet.

• • The vote by the General Assembly Retirement System board was 7-0. A close Ryan friend who attended the meeting said the former governor would appeal the decision.

• • Timothy Blair, the pension system's acting executive secretary, said Ryan is eligible for a refund of the $235,500 he contributed to his pension while a lawmaker and statewide officeholder.

• • Springfield lobbyist Tony Leone said the decision -- while not unexpected -- would place the governor in a "terrible bind."