Rep. Tim Butler says that if Jim Ryan had won the 2002 Governor’s race, Illinois would have been in a better place.
In a Jun. 12 Facebook post, Bulter expressed his condolences in a Facebook post after the passing of former AG Jim Ryan.
"God speed Jim Ryan. A wonderful public servant and such an honorable man. We need more like him today. Proud to have known him and supported him. Our state would be in a much better place if he won that 2002 Governor's race," said Butler.
The Chicago Tribune reported that Ryan died on Sunday, June 12, at his home "after several lengthy illnesses," according to a statement from Dan Curry, a family spokesman. “From the time I met him until his death, Jimmy always was striving to do the right thing and to help people,” said his wife of 54 years, Marie. “That was who he was and he was very successful at it.”
Ryan served as the state's AG from 1995 to 2003 and he was also the GOP nominee for governor in 2002. Before he ran for attorney general, he was DuPage County's State's Attorney and had a private law practice before becoming the state's attorney. "He was a wonderful father and grandfather, who, through example, taught us how to handle life's greatest joys, and most difficult losses, with dignity and grace. For all that he accomplished during his career, he will be most remembered for the way he lived his life. Family, faith, and service to others defines the remarkable life of our father," said Ryan's children when asked about their father, reported ABC Chicago.
In 2002, he ran for governor as the Republican nominee. He also had a tragic loss as he dealt with the death of his 12-year-old daughter who had a brain tumor, in 1997. After that, he founded the Center for Civic Leadership at Benedictine University and raised money for cancer research after leaving public office.
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