4 of Illinois's Last 7 Governors Were Jailed. Why?

Clockwise from top: Otto Kerner Jr, Dan Walker, Rod Blagojevich, George Ryan

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It’s no secret that Illinois has a problem with corruption,and nothing better exemplifies that than the shocking fact that four of theirlast seven governors ended up in prison during or after their tenure asIllinois’s highest ranking official.

We thought it would be interesting to take a look at whothey were, and why corruption ultimately sunk them.

Otto Kerner—Governor from 1961-1968

Otto Kerner Jr.was born in Chicago in 1908. A decorated veteran of WWII and the son of a USDistrict Attorney, he followed in his father’s footsteps and became the USDA forthe Northern District of Illinois in 1947. He continued to rise inprominence, becoming a Cook County judge in 1955 and then Governor of Illinoisin 1960.

As the Democratic Governor of Illinois, Kerner advocated formental health services, education, and equal housing. Rising further still,President Lyndon B. Johnson tapped him to lead the National AdvisoryCommittee on Civil Disorders (termed the Kerner Commission)—which iswidely viewed as a milestone of the Civil Rights movement—in 1967.

His record as governor was so good his nickname was “Mr.Clean.” He resigned as governor in 1968 to accept a position as aFederal Judge. Things were going well, until Mr. Clean had avery bad day at the racetrack.

While serving as governor, Kerner was secretly purchasingstock of the Arlington Park racetrack at a significant discount to face value.In return, he used his executive power to ensure the track got prime racingdays, as well as two highway exits for added convenience. His grift wentunnoticed until the owner of the trackdeclared the bribe on her taxes, assuming it was just standardoperating procedure in Illinois. Whoops.

Judge Kerner was eventually found guilty of 17 counts of bribery, conspiracy, lying under oath, and tax evasion. He spent 3 years in prison, and was publicly disgraced.

Dan Walker—Governor from 1973-1977

Just 5 years after Mr. Clean fell from grace, Illinoiselected Dan Walker, another Democrat, to the office of governor. He wonelection by painting himself as a man of the people, walked 1,197miles across Illinois as an election stunt, and won an upset victoryas a political newcomer.

Walker only served one controversial term, because he wasconstantly butting heads with Chicago Mayor Richard J.Daley. He was unableto deliver on his populist promises, and rankled the Illinoisbusiness community after being labeled “pro-union.”

He purchased two savings and loan companies after his stintin office, which he used as “apersonal piggy bank” according to Federal Judge Ann Williams. Walkerwasconvicted in 1987 of more than $1.4 million of fraudulent bankloans, and ultimately spent18 months in prison.

He was the last Democratic governor of Illinois until Rod Blagojevich,who we’ll get to in a little while.

George Ryan—Governor from 1999-2003

George Ryan, another lifelong Illinoispolitician, served in the Illinois House of Representatives, as wellas Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State before becoming a Republicangovernor in 1999. Due to corruption charges, he only served one term. His mostfamous moment as governor came 48 hours before his term was up, when he clearedthe state’s death row, condemning capital punishment asfundamentally flawed and unfair.

While Secretary of State of Illinois, he became embroiled ina scandal over trucking licenses. After 6 children were killed in an accidentcaused by a semi-truck in 1994, investigators found the driver hadpaid a bribe to get his license. Ryan fired the investigators and buried theprobe.

When Ryan ran for governor in 1998, the federal governmentlaunched “Operation Safe Road.”The investigation looked at Ryan and his staffers, and found overwhelmingcorruption. At least 75 peoplewere convicted of wrongdoing, and Ryan was found guilty on numerouscharges of accepting numerous cash payments, gifts, vacations, andpersonal services in exchange of access to his office. 

Ryan spentfive-and-a-half years in prison for his corruption.

Rod Blagojevich—Governor from 2003-2009

Riding off the wave of public sentiment created bycorruption charges brought against outgoing governor George Ryan, the people ofIllinois elected Democrat Rod Blagojevichto the position in the 2002 election.

A former Illinois House of Representatives member,Blagojevich was re-elected to a second term. Things went downhill after that. Hebecame ensnared in a corruption investigation called “OperationBoard Games,” after which federal investigators began to take acloser look at the governor.

After Barack Obama, who was then a US Senator for Illinois, won the US Presidential election in 2008, Blagojevich decided to cash in on his ability to appoint a successor. He was caught on tape calling the appointment “(expletive) golden” and hoped to exchange it in return for a litany of favors, including a $1.5 million donation to his campaign fund.

Blagojevich was indictedin late 2008 on charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud,and of soliciting bribery. He was also charged with using “pay-to-play” schemesto raise money for his campaign, and obtain financial benefits forhimself. 

After his arrest and indictment, he was impeached andremoved from office in early 2009. He went to trial, and was found guiltyof 17 counts of wire fraud, soliciting bribes, attempted extortion, as well theconspiracy to commit those crimes.

He was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, and is currently still serving time.

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