George Ryan Released from Prison to Halfway House

By Staff Reporter | Jan 19, 2013 08:14 PM EST

Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan will be released to a halfway house in Chicago on Jan. 30 after spending five years in federal prison for corruption, according to a report.

Ryan is said to be scheduled for release on Jan. 30 and heading to a halfway house on Chicago's West Side, Chicago Sun-Times' Michael Sneed reported Saturday

Ryan, a Republican, was convicted in 2006 of racketeering, fraud and other offenses involving favoritism and kickbacks for state contracts and property leases. He was sentenced to 6 and a half years in jail.

Ryan, 78, has been jailed at a federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, as inmate No. 16627-424, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. His formal release date is July 4.

The Republican was replaced as governor two days later by Democrat Rod Blagojevich, who also is now in prison.

The appellate court said the U.S. Supreme Court ruling curtailing "honest services" laws didn't apply since Ryan's case clearly involved bribery and kickbacks.

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