George Ryan's Wife Hospitalized In Intensive Care
Updated: 1/5/11 - 9:20 p.m.
KANKAKEE, Ill. (CBS) -- Former Gov. George Ryan's attorney said Ryan's wife, Lura Lynn Ryan, was hospitalized in intensive care Wednesday afternoon and might have only hours to live.
Lawyers for George Ryan are trying to work out a deal so he can be at his wife's bedside.
James Thompson, Ryan's attorney and fellow former Illinois governor, told CBS 2 news on Wednesday that Lura Lynn Ryan, 76, was hospitalized Wednesday morning after developing sepsis, a severe blood infection that could be the result of radiation or chemotherapy treatment for cancer. She has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
"She has a lot of cancer, and she has been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy even at her age, in what I regard as a desperate attempt to stay alive to see her husband," said Thompson. "So now the sepsis has struck her, so she's in critical condition. She remains in intensive care and we're just going hour-by-hour."
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Thompson says and the family is in Kankakee to be with her.
"And her one hope is that her husband can come to her bedside," Thompson said.
Thompson has filed an emergency motion with the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which is hearing an appeal of George Ryan's corruption convictions, seeking bail pending a hearing on his appeal, so that he can visit his wife in the hospital.
U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer denied a similar request last month, shortly after doctors revealed Lura Lynn might have only a few months to live.
On the judge's denial of the request to release her husband, Lura Lynn said, "I was saddened by it. I really thought that she would understand that I have a short time to live. But evidently she doesn't see it, I guess, because I would think if she knew what the situation was she would certainly say I'll bring him home. George is not a bad man."
Judge Pallmeyer has said that Ryan basically took bribes, was convicted and must pay for that. She did say, though, that this case is a sad one.
Thompson said attorneys have also asked federal prison officials to release George Ryan under a program that enables inmates temporary leave to visit gravely ill family members.
"We've asked the prison officials at Terre Haute … to allow him to be furloughed to see his wife," Thompson said. "The Federal Bureau of Prisons has a program which allows any inmate … accused of any crime to apply for a temporary furlough to visit the bedside of a critically ill family member."
Thompson said prison officials assured him that they would review the request as soon as the paperwork is filed.
Ryan was convicted and sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison in 2006 for giving out state contracts and leases in exchange for political kickbacks. He reported to prison three years ago.
Federal prosecutors have said they are sympathetic to Lura Lynn Ryan's plight. But they also argued a family member's poor health isn't normally a deciding factor in whether to release an imprisoned defendant and that the ex-governor shouldn't get special consideration.
CBS 2's Pamela Jones contributed to this report.
