Paper calls on Illinois governor to resign

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The State Journal-Register is calling for Gov. George Ryan's resignation because of allegations of corruption in the governor's campaign apparatus.

"For the sake of Illinois and the sake of his party, George Ryan should step down," stated a Sunday editorial in the Springfield newspaper that endorsed Ryan for governor nearly four years ago.

"He has lost not only the confidence of the general public, but also the confidence of the Republican Party faithful," the editorial said.

Ryan spokesman Dennis Culloton would not comment Sunday on the editorial, saying he had not yet seen it, but he added that the governor will not step down.

The governor has not been charged with any wrongdoing in the federal investigation of corruption while Ryan was secretary of state. However, his campaign committee is charged with racketeering.

Federal prosecutors have expanded their investigation beyond license trading, charging the governor's close friends and former top aides with exchanging bribes for government contracts and directing state workers to do campaign work on government time.