Tagged: George Ryan

Some reporting also via Amanda Vinicky, Illinois Public Radio

Updated 1:31 p.m. with statement from current Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn.

The man whose prosecutions helped put two Illinois Governors (George Ryan and then Rod Blagojevich) in prison has announced he's stepping down.

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald's office made the announcement today, effective June 30.  He's been in the position since 2001.

Attorneys for imprisoned former Illinois Gov. George Ryan say a U.S. Supreme Court decision could eventually lead to a new trial for their client.

Defense lawyer Albert Alschuler spoke on Monday, hours after the high court asked the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago to reconsider Ryan's appeal.

He says the high court found the appellate judges erred by not considering aspects of the appeal on their merits.

Nixon seeks federal emergency declaration due to flooding

Mo. Gov. Jay Nixon is seeking a federal emergency declaration for the state because of flooding along the Missouri River system and flash floods in the northeast.

The governor made the request yesterday in a letter to President Barack Obama. Nixon notes that the Missouri has already caused extensive flooding and is expected to threaten 25 counties in all, from the far northwest to St. Louis. He says flash floods have also affected Clark and Lewis counties in the northeastern part of the state.