RYAN ENTERS RACE; HOPES TO SUCCEED GOV. JIM EDGAR

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- It's official: Republican George Ryan will run for Illinois governor in 1998.

Ryan, who is completing his second term as secretary of state, launched his bid for governor Tuesday during an eight-city tour of the state that included visits to every region, including the Carbondale Airport in Southern Illinois.

His first announcement came at 7:15 a.m. at Rockford. Following stops at Chicago, Springfield, Cahokia and Carbondale, Ryan appeared at Peoria and Moline airports before ending up at his hometown of Kankakee.

The decision by the 63-year-old Ryan, the dean of the Illinois GOP, has been expected since Republican Gov. Jim Edgar announced Aug. 20 he would retire after finishing his second term.

Edgar indicated he would support Ryan's candidacy.

"Governing is about building coalitions, about broad perspectives, about the opinions of others, about new ideas and new constituencies, about solving problems without concern for political fallout," Ryan said during his first stop. "That is the way I intend to govern."

Ryan pledged to use his vast experience to unite Republicans, Democrats and Independents behind a "bold plan of action that will enhance a state that already is confident, prosperous and strong."

In addition to two terms as secretary of state, Ryan served in the Legislature for a decade, including a term as speaker of the House. He served as lieutenant governor for eight years under Gov. James R. Thompson.

Ryan said that during the course of his campaign he would detail various aspects of his program for 21st century Illinois that will safeguard the family, build trust in the government and ensure quality for all, strengthen education, fight crime, and protect the natural heritage and agricultural economy while boosting the quality of life for all residents.

Ryan touted some bills he championed in the Legislature with the support of Republicans and Democrats such as lowering the legal blood-alcohol limit in Illinois to .08 percent and restricting driver's license privileges for minors.

Ryan has streamlined the operations of his state, holding budget increases to 1.5 percent annually -- less than the rate of inflation -- and reducing the head count in the secretary of state's office by about 400 employees since 1991.

He has won passage of a number of tough laws against carjacking, investment fraud and uninsured motorists.

Without getting into details, Ryan said the state "must find the means not just to equalize the funding of our schools but to equalize the quality of education our children are receiving."

He also called on the state to "nurture efforts to give high-tech industries a home in Illinois."

Ryan said the state must do more to stop domestic violence "by directing additional resources to shelters and to law enforcement."

Ryan is unlikely to face a serious primary challenge. He has yet to choose a running mate and is still working behind the scenes to fashion his Republican ticket.

Ryan recorded a 686,000-vote margin during his most recent election victory, winning 100 of the state's 102 counties.

He served eight years as lieutenant governor, 1983-1991. He served in the Illinois House from 1973-1983. He served two terms as House Republican leader and was Speaker of the House, 1981-1983.

Ryan, a graduate of Ferris State College with a degree in pharmacy, served with the Army in Korea. He and his wife, Lura Lynn, are parents of six children.

Three Democrats have previously declared their candidacy for Illinois governor -- U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard, a five-term Southern Illinois congressman; Chicago attorney John Schmidt, a former Justice Department official and former chief of staff to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley; and former attorney general Roland Burris.