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Council names 900 block of South Greenwood for George H. and Laura Lynn Ryan
Summary
A resolution designating the 900 block of South Greenwood Avenue as Governor George H. and Laura Lynn Ryan Avenue passed unanimously; city officials and family recognized Governor Ryan's local ties and public service.
The Kankakee City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Aug. 18 to designate the 900 block of South Greenwood Avenue as Governor George H. and Laura Lynn Ryan Avenue.
City officials read the resolution into the record, recounting George H. Ryan’s local roots — Kankakee High School graduate, local business owner, county board member, state representative, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and later governor — and Laura Lynn Ryan’s community advocacy. The text noted Governor Ryan’s 2000 moratorium on executions and subsequent national recognition for his work on death-penalty issues.
Family members and council speakers spoke about Ryan’s attention to residents and local infrastructure investments, with one speaker saying the family’s legacy included both statewide policy actions and direct contributions to Kankakee and Kankakee County projects.
Why this matters: The honorary designation recognizes local ties of two public figures and will be marked with signage; the resolution passed without opposition and a street dedication was anticipated as a next public event.
Votes and next steps: The resolution carried on a unanimous voice/roll-call vote. Council members indicated plans for a street dedication ceremony in the near future; no specific date was recorded in the Aug. 18 meeting minutes.
