Wife of ex-Ill. Gov. Ryan in 'grave' condition

[June 28, 2011]  CHICAGO (AP) -- An attorney for imprisoned ex-Illinois Gov. George Ryan says Ryan's wife is in "grave" condition at a Kankakee hospital.

Ryan's lawyer, former Gov. James Thompson, said Monday that Lura Lynn Ryan is on a respirator at Riverside Medical Center. Thompson says she was admitted to the hospital last week for trouble breathing.

George Ryan is in an Indiana federal prison, where he has served more than three years of a 6 1/2-year sentence. Ryan was convicted in 2006 of racketeering, conspiracy, tax fraud and making false statements to the FBI.

Ryan was accused of steering state contracts and leases to political insiders. He received vacations and gifts in return. He also was accused of stopping an investigation into state employees accepting bribes.

The Ryans have been married for 55 years.

[Associated Press]

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