George Ryan in Almanac of American Politics


On Civil Rights: Supports gay rights & some riverboat gambling

On most issues Ryan took more politic stands. He had backed gun control since 1989, supported gay rights, opposed corporal punishment, favored the beginning of a Peotone airport (with only two runways), opposed more riverboat gambling but favored changes to make Illinois’s boats more competitive with those in Indiana, Iowa and Missouri.
Source: National Journal, the Almanac of American Politics Nov 11, 1999

On Gun Control: Long-time supporter of gun control; more criminal penalties

On most issues Ryan took more politic stands. He had backed gun control since 1989, supported gay rights, and opposed corporal punishment. He set out his own priorities: putting 51% of new state revenues into schools, life sentences for criminals who use guns and injure or kill people, disentangling the “Hillside Strangler” intersection of the Eisenhower Expressway and two tollways.
Source: National Journal, the Almanac of American Politics Nov 11, 1999

On Principles & Values: Instinct for centrism

Ryan has an instinct for centrism and a disinclination to be pinned down. When a reporter asked him if he would ever back a tobacco or liquor tax increase, he said, “Ever is for a long time.” When he went on TV in July, an ad showed him striding down the center aisle of the legislature and quoted him as saying he could always work with people on both sides of the aisle.
Source: National Journal, the Almanac of American Politics Nov 11, 1999

The above quotations are from Almanac of American Politics, by Grant Ujifusa and Michael Barone.
Click here for other excerpts from Almanac of American Politics, by Grant Ujifusa and Michael Barone.
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