We Deserve Answers on Prisoner Release Scheme
ELMHURST — Former Attorney General Jim Ryan demanded Sunday that Pat Quinn stop playing politics with public safety and give the public some answers about his secret prisoner release program.
Quinn has tried to stop debate on the program by appointing a task force to study his administration’s own action.
“In the middle of the holiday season, as Illinois families are celebrating at home, it is essential that Governor Quinn tell us how many inmates were released under the secret program, where they are, and what steps are being taken to assure the public is safe,” Ryan said.
The Associated Press reported earlier this month that at least 850 inmates were released on “good time” credits after serving a small fraction of their sentences. Included were repeat drunk drivers and those convicted of drug offenses, battery, and weapons offenses.
“We are not getting straight answers from the governor’s office and it is absurd that he needs a task force to study an action that is directly under his control,” Ryan added.
# # #
NEW POLL: Ryan beats Quinn by 7 Points
Rasmussen Reports released a new poll of Illinois voters showing Jim Ryan with a seven point lead over incumbent Governor (and likely Democrat nominee) Pat Quinn:
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Illinois voters finds former state Attorney General Jim Ryan leading incumbent Democratic Governor Pat Quinn 46% to 39%. Nine percent (9%) of Illinois voters like some other candidate, and six percent (6%) are undecided.
In addition to this poll — every public poll that has been released so far shows Ryan with a strong, double-digit lead in the Republican Primary. As Illinois Review reports:
A new GOP gubernatorial poll including former Attorney General Jim Ryan came out today from Rasmussen Reports, and shows Ryan up by 7 points over Democrat Governor Quinn, giving Ryan the best chance of any of the IL GOP candidates to defeat a Democrat in 2010.
The momentum is clearly with us — and we have the best chance to win.
You can help us keep this momentum by making an immediate online contribution.
Slow Down, Governor
Statement from Jim Ryan on news that White House has decided to move al- Qaeda terrorists to Illinois:
“Slow down, Governor Quinn. Moving al-Qaeda terrorists into Illinois should not be done after only a single public hearing three days before Christmas.
Governor Quinn, be true to your word and let the people speak. If citizens are really in charge in Illinois, then give them an opportunity to speak their mind on this important issue. Schedule a series of real public hearings after the first of the year to allow us to have our say.
Polls already show a majority of Illinoisans disapprove of the transfer. The public understands that moving some of the most dangerous people in the world to our state could makes us more of a target. This is no time to play politics and ramrod through a decision that appears already to have been made.
If you are sincere about allowing the public to speak, you will schedule meaningful public hearings.”
Quinn’s a Public Safety Disaster
Illinois gubernatorial candidate and former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan reacted today to revelations in an Associated Press story that Governor Pat Quinn secretly released more than 850 inmates since September by immediately awarding them months of good-conduct credit, some of whom were convicted of violent crimes or with violent pasts that spent as few as 14 days total behind bars for a one-year sentence:
“Imagine a world where a governor secretly negotiates to bring al-Qaeda terrorists to his state and then follows that up with a secret program to release felons before they serve a day in their assigned prisons.
Sadly, this is Illinois under Pat Quinn’s leadership. A governor first and foremost must protect its citizens–a notion that seems lost on Mr. Quinn. This is exactly why Illinois needs a prosecutor in the governor’s mansion. “
TRIBUNE POLL: Big lead for Jim Ryan
The Chicago Tribune reports on the results of a new poll (conducted for the Tribune) that shows Jim Ryan with a solid, 14-point lead in the Republican Primary for Governor. This is the third straight public poll showing Jim with a large, double-digit lead:
Former Attorney General Jim Ryan, who is seeking redemption after losing to Blagojevich in 2002 … has the backing of more than a quarter of Republican voters in the Feb. 2 primary …
On the Republican side, the poll of 600 likely GOP voters found Ryan with the support of 26 percent, to 12 percent for Andy McKenna, the former state party chairman. At 10 percent was state Sen. Bill Brady, of Bloomington, an unsuccessful 2006 Republican governor candidate, while state Sen. Kirk Dillard, of Hinsdale, had 9 percent. Three other candidates had the support of 6 percent or less of GOP voters.
Ryan, one of the last entrants in the race, is known after serving two terms in statewide office. He is getting the support of one-third of collar county primary voters and one in five voters outside the city and suburbs to take the early edge.
Watch this excerpt from the WGN TV News report below:
Hinz: Ryan Puts ‘Own Story at Center’ of Race
Greg Hinz has this column about our campaign today in Crain’s Chicago Business:
The former Illinois attorney general and 2002 GOP gubernatorial nominee (Jim Ryan) surely stresses his fiscal conservatism — raising taxes now would be “criminal,” he recently put it. But he offers something else: his own life story, a story filled with pain and mistakes, one that he says has made him a better leader.
“I think I can understand people’s problems better, because it’s happened to me,” he says. “I don’t care about my career anymore. I’m not out for a big new job. I’m going to bring a passion to clean up Illinois government.”
Please click here to read the full piece.
Illinois Federation for Right to Life Endorses Jim
We are proud to announce that the Illinois Federation for Right to Life Political Action Committee (IFRL-PAC) has endorsed Jim Ryan for Illinois Governor.
Dawn Behnke, chair of IFRL-PAC, writes in the organization’s endorsement letter:
We are pleased to announce our endorsement of Jim Ryan as Republican Candidate for Governor of Illinois. Not only has Mr. Ryan expressed a desire to protect unborn children, but he has also indicated his support for the disabled as well as those endangered at the end of life.
Please click here to view the endorsement letter.
Ryan: “I will clean up state politics”
In his appearance on ABC 7 Chicago’s “News Views” program, Jim Ryan vows to clean up state politics and put Illinois back on the road to economic prosperity.
View two clips from his appearance below:
Watch Jim on ABC 7 Chicago this Sunday Morning
Jim Ryan will appear as a guest on ABC 7 Chicago’s “News Views” with Alan Krashesky this Sunday at 9:10 a.m.
Below is photo of Alan and Jim during the interview, which taped Friday, December 4, 2010:
