NOVEMBER 1998:
" The Republican hopeful [for Governor], Secretary of State George Ryan. While almost everyone has seen TV commercials for Poshard and Ryan, "few people know in detail the voting records and stance of these candidates on major issues..."George Ryan is a moderate Republican from Kankakee. He served as Speaker of the House in Illinois for several years and has held the Secretary of State office for eight years. Like his opponent, " he has promised that there will be no new taxes for Illinois. He plans to increase education funding to 51% of the state budget ,according to the State Journal-Register."
--http://www.shs.springfield.k12.il.us/newspaper/newspaper98/octweb/news/elec.html
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) It's a tradition going back to 1982: "The Republican candidate for governor is promising not to raise taxes if elected in November . Secretary of State George Ryan, the nominee to succeed GOP Gov. Jim Edgar, said Sunday, `"`Underlying my entire campaign is this pledge to taxpayers: I will not raise taxes.'' Questioned by reporters, Ryan said he would not rule out increases in excise taxes and user fees, but he sees no need for them. Asked Monday for clarification, spokesman Dave Urbanek said Ryan would allow no increases in Illinois income or sales taxes. "For more than a decade, conservative Republican groups have demanded that candidates sign a promise not to raise taxes as a condition of winning the groups' support. In conservative circles this is known as ``taking the pledge.'' Jackson said he was surprised by the timing of Ryan's action because ``at that point I'm not sure that he had been asked by any of the usual groups to take the pledge.'' Ryan's action was a signal that the GOP wants to make taxes the centerpiece of the campaign again, just as it was for Edgar's 1994 race against Democratic candidate Dawn Clark Netsch, Jackson said. . ``"George is under a lot of pressure from his advisers to re-run these old campaigns ,'' Novak said.
--http://www.beloitdailynews.com/398/2ill24.htm
"My endorsement: Republican George Ryan. Republican Secretary of State "George Ryan is the lesser of the two evils in this extremely dirty election race. Ryan, a pragmatist on most issues, has gone out of his way to appeal to Independents and Democrats. For instance, he picked a pro-choice woman, State Rep. Corrine Wood, as his running mate and moderated his positions on such divisive issues as abortion and gun control. " His education initiatives, which include the distribution of 51 cents of every new tax dollar to education and the hiring of 10,000 new teachers , won him the endorsement of the Illinois Education Association. " Conservatives can take heart though, because Ryan remains a staunch opponent of any new taxes."
--http://www.dailyillini.com/oct_98/oct29/opinions/column2.html
2000:
PERHAPS STEVEN SPEILBERG CAN " RESCUE ILLINOIS TAXPAYERS FROM THE RAVAGES OF GOVERNOR RYAN'S PORK-O-RAMA CALLED "ILLINOIS FIRST." AFTER ALL STEVEN WAS ABLE TO SAVE PRIVATE RYAN FROM THE RAVAGES OF MORTAL COMBAT. "OUR COMPLICIT LEGISLATURE HAS SHOWN NO DESIRE TO SAVE US. It has taken some time to decipher the meaning of the "Illinois First" program. But as each of the 140 new taxes kicks in, we understand that it means Illinois taxpayers are now, in all probability the most highly taxed people in the U.S. Ranking only fourth or fifth on the tax ladder prior to this gigantic sow sucking, tax busting "pork-o-rammit to us" farce, George's gorging has undoubtedly pushed, Illinois taxpayers over the tax pinnacle. We feel certain that we are in undisputed first place. With the flop of all our in state athletic teams, it feels good to be first in something! "While 28 states were cutting taxes due to unprecedented budget surpluses, George and the legislative Porkmeisters seized this opportunity to put it to the taxpayers. Illinois has long enjoyed a reputation for State Government bloat and spending extravagance. This new series of bacon bits will only enhance that reputation. Is Illinois spending really out of line? YES!
--http://www.outragenews.org/state.htm
"A " controversial 1999 liquor tax hike used to bankroll Gov. George Ryan's Illinois FIRST program, threatening the financial future of the governor's showcase building initiative at the same time the state budget is being ravaged by recession.In his ruling, Circuit Court Judge Alexander P. White found that the General Assembly blatantly ignored constitutional dictates when it understated the purpose of the tax increase in legislation and then rammed it through so fast that critics didn't have a chance to object. "The tax generates at least $80 million a year to underwrite payments on Illinois FIRST bonds. State revenue officials said they would appeal White's ruling directly to the Illinois Supreme Court because it turns on a constitutional issue.But the ruling caught other state officials off guard, and it was unclear whether the state will be able to continue charging the liquor tax increases as it seeks to overturn the ruling.One program that could be imperiled by the ruling is the state's school construction program, which relies on Illinois FIRST bonds sold on the premise that liquor tax dollars will be available to make the payments.The decision is another in " a series of court rulings and lawsuits challenging the validity of many pieces of controversial legislation passed in Ryan's first year as governor that critics charge were designed mainly to enrich well-heeled political insiders.Ryan and lawmakers also gave special protections to liquor distributors, raised taxes and vehicle license fees, and attempted to hand a group of politically connected investors the exclusive right to build a casino in Rosemont.As part of the funding mechanism for Illinois FIRST, taxes were increased by 50 cents per fifth of hard liquor, 6.5 cents on a six-pack of beer and a dime for a standard bottle of wine.In his 37-page opinion, White said " his ruling was intended to "prevent the General Assembly from blatantly and continually violating the Illinois Constitution."
--http://ilcampaign.org/news/judgestrikes4-19-02.html
"George Ryan is leaving office the same way he came into it--with no respect for the rule of law or his duty as a public servant. If the people of Illinois only knew then what they know now . Whatever your opinion on the death penalty, and people of conscience can respectfully disagree, George Ryan’s decision to grant blanket clemency to all Illinois Death Row inmates is an audacious abrogation of "his duty as Governor and the rule of law in this state...as an alleged thief, he was penny ante. As a Governor, he was a brazen autocrat in the image of his buddy, Fidel Castro. However, those who truly have had no friends in the outgoing administration are Illinois taxpayers. After raising taxes to pay for his $13 billion Illinois FIRST pork-for-all program, George Ryan leaves office with the state facing upwards of a $3.5 billion deficit. Why not one more kick in the teeth, eh, George?George Ryan forgot, or more likely didn’t care, that the legislative branch of government makes laws, not the executive. "If you don’t like a law, you need to work to change it. You don’t just get to enforce the laws you like and not enforce the ones who don’t, no matter how many limousine liberals from Hollywood tell you otherwise.The George Ryan legacy is almost complete--four years of lies, broken promises, tax increases, government largesse, indifference to the rule of law and corruption.
--http://www.illinoisleader.com/opinion/opinionview.asp?c=3752