Prairie State Wire

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy released a statement honoring the memory of former Attorney General Jim Ryan.

"Jim Ryan embodied what it meant to be a statesman. He always put the people of Illinois before politics and faithfully served this great state with honor and integrity as our Attorney General," Tracy said in the statement. "Jim overcame great personal tragedies and health difficulties to live an impactful public life as well as being a great husband, father, and grandfather. I pray comfort and healing will come to Jim's family in this difficult time. May we remember his contributions to Illinois and his legacy of selfless service.”

From 1995 to 2002, Ryan was the last Republican to serve as Attorney General of Illinois.

"Jim was too honest and authentic for a career in politics but he was as good a public servant as Illinois has ever known," said John Pearman, a longtime top aide for Ryan in the Attorney General's office. "He never stopped trying to help people -- women, children, crime victims. He was tireless and incorruptible.”

In 2002, Ryan ran for governor of Illinois, but was beaten by Rod Blagojevich, who was later imprisoned for attempting to trade a U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Barack Obama after his election to the presidency.

In 2010, he ran for governor again, but came in fourth place in the Republican primary, trailing front-runner Bill Brady, who ultimately lost to Pat Quinn.

Following Ryan as attorney general came Lisa Madigan, whose campaign was heavily backed by her father, then-House Speaker Michael Madigan, who is currently facing a 22-count federal indictment.