Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan was convicted Monday of steering millions of dollars in state leases and contracts to political insiders, lying to federal agents and tax fraud, becoming the third former Illinois governor in as many decades to be convicted of federal felony charges.

Co-defendant Larry Warner, 67, a Ryan friend and Chicago lobbyist, was also convicted of all charges in a six-month trial that was the climax of the state’s biggest political corruption scandal in decades.

Ryan, long one of the most powerful Republicans in Illinois, faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on the racketeering conspiracy count alone but most likely will receive a much lighter sentence. Sentencing for both men is scheduled for Aug. 4.

The verdict came on the 11th day of deliberation by a jury of six men and six women whose work had to be restarted after two jurors were dropped and two alternates added in their place.

“I believe this decision today is not in accordance with the kind of public service that I provided to the people of Illinois for over 40 years, and needless to say I am disappointed in the outcome,” Ryan said.

Illinois ranks fifth of the ten most corrupt states in the nation according to a 2004 report released by the National Press Club, falling behind Mississippi, North Dakota, Louisiana and Alaska.

“One long-standing feature of Illinois political culture is tolerance of unseemly behavior in the political arena,” said Richard Wandling, chair of Eastern’s political science department.

“Since the origins of the state, we’ve had a rough and tumble political culture where politics is a serious process, viewed as people trying to pursue self-interest, and then they run afoul of the law.”

“It’s sort of sad, actually,” said political science professor Andrew McNitt. He cited Ryan’s contributions as governor, such as well-supported education, the death penalty moratorium, conservation and highway construction.

However, political trust is tarnished through unethical behavior in the long run.

“The unfortunate result is people expect a significant percent of elected officials are up to no good,” Wandling said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.