Ryan leaves home for prison amidst circus atmosphere

It was quite a scene on this chilly morning in the small city of Kankakee, Illinois as the family of former Illinois Governor George H. Ryan packed up the family van--with the governor inside--for his trip to Federal Correctional Institute in Oxford, Wisconsin. Numerous media outlets, and at least one helicopter, were there to witness his departure.

The former Republican lawmaker must report to the prison, which is locasted near the Wisconsin Dells resort area, by 5:00pm this afternoon to begin his 6 1/2 year sentence on various corruption charges.

I'm watching CLTV's Regina Waldroup reporting in front of the Original Pancake House in Chicago's River North neighborhood. Ryan had just breakfast there--apparently Ryan's van is being tailed by the media. Jim Thompson, another former Illinois governor who is one of Ryan's attorneys, will accompany Ryan to Oxford--where other reporters are already awaiting the arrival of what's turned into the Ryan Convoy.

Waldroup reports that Thompson gave the man who once served as his lieutenant governor a book, possibly this one, on what to expect as a federal prisoner.

I love books and I like presents, but I hope there is not an occasion where such a gift is presented to me.

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