Former governor's wife praying for his release

CHICAGO (AP) - The wife of former Gov. George Ryan has twice personally appealed to George W. Bush to pardon her husband before the Republican president leaves office in January.

Lura Lynn Ryan told the Chicago Sun-Times that one letter she wrote was put in the president's hand "by a close friend," whom she would not name.

Lura Lynn Ryan said she was hoping we could get him home by Thanksgiving. She says she is now hoping Ryan will be home by Christmas.

Lura Lynn Ryan said her 74-year-old husband has tackled prison life with a positive attitude, but it has taken its toll.

In 2006, George Ryan was convicted of racketeering and fraud in a case that included a licenses-for-bribes scanda. He was sentenced to a little over six years in prison.