With the gubernatorial campaign heating up across the state, one giant of Illinois politics is preparing to bow for good.

George Ryan has been a part of the process for almost 40 years and has left his mark on the political landscape of Illinois. But in the last four years, another wise and successful career has been stopped in its tracks.

The problems began in the mid-1990s with allegations of corruption in the Secretary of State Office, where Ryan was the ring leader from 1991 to 1999. While the public was not aware of the corruption that had become prevalent in the office, it spread like termites, eating away at Ryan’s credibility.

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These dealings were concealed from the public until about the time of the 1998 election, when the federal case was announced and the first indictments were brought down against members of the Ryan campaign and secretary of state employees.

Now, nearly four years later, the issue has come full circle, and the flames seem ready to engulf Ryan and forever end his career.

In recent months, much speculation has cast a longer shadow on Ryan. Rumors have been flying that he might be the mysterious “official A” that was named in the last federal incitement charging several of Ryan’s top advisors from his days as secretary of state.

With all of these problems, Ryan might seem like one of the most corrupt governors Illinois has had in the last 40 years, but history paints a different picture. Otto Kerner and Dan Walker both served time in prison after their terms as governor. Ryan shares more in common with Kerner than Walker because Kerner was forced to resign in 1968 due to his own scandal.

While the scandals of Ryan’s administration are at the forefront of the debate now, that could change depending on the outcome of the legal proceedings that are currently taking place. If the storm blows over, some of the bright spots will no doubt soften the scars that will be left.

Perhaps one of the most courageous Ryan crusades was to reform capital punishment in Illinois. In making that decision, Ryan did something few other Republicans would have done:He quite possibly ended the death penalty.

To his credit, he also kept his promise to put 51 percent of new revenue into education, at least when times were not as lean as they are now.

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Ryan’s immediate legacy will no doubt be felt in November when Illinois goes to the polls to elect a new governor. During elections in the past, Jim Ryan was fortunate to have the same last name as George, but this time, the coat tails will likely hurt Jimmy.

George may cast a large shadow that will help propel Rod Blagojevich to a November victory and put a Democrat back in the governor’s mansion for the first time since 1976.