Roe B. Conn (born June 6, 1964) is a former American talk radio host based in Chicago who is now a sworn deputy and Director of the Cook County sheriff's office.
58-560: Roe's first radio gig was Saturday overnights on WDUB in Granville, Ohio . Early in his career Conn chose to use the on air pseudonym Robert Thomas, believing that his real name was not suitable for the radio business. Returning to Chicago after graduating from college he worked fill-in duties at WLUW , starting in August 1986. He then was the producer for Don Vogel on WMAQ (AM) and Walter Jacobson at WBBM-TV . On August 27, 1989 Conn debuted
116-622: A high school English class. She grew up in Aroma Park , where her family (originally from Germany ) had lived since 1834. Her father owned one of the first hybrid seed companies in the United States. The couple had five daughters (including a set of triplets); Julie, Joanne, Jeanette, Lynda and Nancy; and one son, George Homer Ryan, Jr. Lura Lowe died of lung cancer at Riverside Hospital in Kankakee on June 27, 2011. Ryan's brother, Tom,
174-819: A scandal . He was later convicted of federal corruption charges and spent more than five years in federal prison and seven months of home confinement . He was released from federal prison on July 3, 2013. George Homer Ryan was born in Maquoketa, Iowa to Jeannette (née Bowman) and Thomas Ryan, a pharmacist. Ryan grew up in Kankakee County, Illinois . After serving in the U.S. Army in Korea , he worked for his father's two drugstores. He attended Ferris State College of Pharmacy (now Ferris State University ) in Big Rapids, Michigan . Eventually, he built his father's pair of pharmacies into
232-532: A 22-count federal indictment. The charges included racketeering, bribery, extortion, money laundering and tax fraud. The indictment alleged that Ryan steered several state contracts to Warner and other friends; disbursed campaign funds to relatives and to pay personal expenses; and obstructed justice by attempting to end the state investigation of the license-for-bribes scandal. He was charged with lying to investigators and accepting cash, gifts and loans in return for his official actions as governor. On September 19, 2005,
290-401: A Sunday morning radio show at WLS (AM) . Conn maintains that his performance went poorly, but that the program director ordered the show be continued after confusing Conn with another host. He received his first national exposure for his daily roundup of the O.J. Simpson trial. After that, he continued to host his regular show on WLS (AM) . Eventually he teamed up with Garry Meier to cohost
348-490: A Swasey Chapel logo and a "boombox" logo, both created by students as part of a logo creation contest. Numerous Denison University graduates have used their WDUB experience as an entry into the field of commercial broadcasting. Notable former DJs include actor Steve Carell and former Cleveland Browns CEO Joe Banner . On September 1, 2019, the station went silent after the students decided to move solely to an Internet radio format. The switch occurred due to changes made by
406-477: A call on March 28, 2006, from a small-business owner who claimed to have spoken with a juror about the trial of former governor George Ryan . This possible juror misconduct was one of the bases for appeal in Ryan's conviction on criminal charges of corruption. Conn testified for the plaintiff at a civil proceeding involving his former on-air partner Garry Meier . In the suit, Meier's former manager Todd Musburger said he
464-405: A commission to study the issue, while noting, "I still believe the death penalty is a proper response to heinous crimes ... But I believe that it has to be where we don't put innocent people to death." The issue had garnered the attention of the public when a death row inmate, Anthony Porter , who had spent 15 years on death row, was within two days of being executed when his lawyers won a stay on
522-476: A failed bid to challenge Ryan in the 1994 general election for Secretary of State. On August 30, 1997, incumbent governor Jim Edgar announced he would retire after his second term; three days later, Ryan announced his candidacy for governor. He won the Republican nomination with minimal opposition and defeated his opponent, Glenn Poshard , in the general election by a 51–47 percent margin. Ryan's running mate
580-494: A former Republican state representative who was hired by Ryan and testified against Fawell, pleaded guilty to wide-ranging corruption, admitting he paid kickbacks to win state contracts and campaign business, secretly mailed out vicious false attacks on political opponents and helped obtain ghost-payrolling jobs. The investigation finally reached the former governor, and in December 2003, Ryan and lobbyist Lawrence Warner were named in
638-648: A new, parallel endeavor called "The Roe Report." The Roe Report was a nationally syndicated daily news/commentary segment initially airing in New York (WABC), Los Angeles (KABC) and Chicago (WLS-AM), filling the void left by the death of Paul Harvey. The final "Roe Report" aired October 29, 2010. A reason for ending the Report was not cited. On May 8, 2009, it was announced on the show that longtime associate Christina Filiaggi had been once more laid off by station management, and would be replaced by Chicago area newscaster Amy Jacobson
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#1733105443799696-507: A parade of other witnesses (including Juliano) followed Fawell. On April 17, 2006, the jury found Ryan and Warner guilty on all counts. However, when ruling on post-trial motions, the judge dismissed two counts against Ryan for lack of proof. Ryan said that he would appeal the verdict, largely due to the issues with the jury. Patrick Fitzgerald , the federal prosecutor , noted, "Mr. Ryan steered contracts worth millions of dollars to friends and took payments and vacations in return. When he
754-447: A scheme inside Ryan's Secretary of State's office in which unqualified truck drivers obtained licenses through bribes. In March 2003, Scott Fawell , Ryan's former chief of staff and campaign manager, was convicted on federal charges of racketeering and fraud. He was sentenced to six years and six months. Former deputy campaign manager Richard Juliano pleaded guilty to related charges and testified against Fawell at trial. Roger Stanley,
812-669: A second horse, Sted's Pirate, but lost ownership after a $ 30,000 claims race at Churchill Downs on July 7, 2007. Talkers Magazine recognized Conn as one of the "One hundred most influential radio hosts in America." WOSX WOSX (91.1 FM) is a non-commercial , 300-watt college radio station registered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It is currently owned and operated by Ohio State University and licensed to serve Granville, Ohio , United States. Originally WDUB and owned by Denison University ,
870-459: A son" to Ryan throughout their careers. At Ryan's trial, Fawell acknowledged that the prosecution had his "head in a vise", and that he found his cooperation with the government against Ryan "the most distasteful thing I've ever done". Nonetheless, he spent several days on the witness stand testifying against Ryan and Warner. Once a tough-talking political strategist, Fawell wept on the witness stand as he acknowledged that his motivation for testifying
928-399: A successful family-run chain (profiting from lucrative government-contract business selling prescription drugs to nursing homes) which he sold in 1990. Ryan was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954. He served a 13-month tour in Korea , working in a base pharmacy. On June 10, 1956, Ryan married his high school sweetheart, Lura Lynn Lowe (July 5, 1934 – June 27, 2011), whom he had met in
986-530: A third two-year term, as did New Mexico Governor Toney Anaya before he left office in 1986 and Ohio Governor Dick Celeste before he left office in 1990. Ryan won praise from death penalty opponents: as early as 2001, he received the Mario Cuomo Act of Courage Award from Death Penalty Focus , in 2003 the Rose Elizabeth Bird Commitment to Justice Award from the same organization. On
1044-802: Is an American former politician who served as the 39th governor of Illinois from 1999 to 2003. A member of the Republican Party , he previously served as secretary of State of Illinois from 1991 to 1999 and as lieutenant governor from 1983 to 1991. He was later convicted of federal racketeering, bribery, extortion, money laundering and tax fraud stemming from his time in office. Ryan was elected governor in 1998 , narrowly defeating Democratic Congressman Glenn Poshard . He received national attention for his 2000 moratorium on executions in Illinois and for commuting more than 160 death sentences to life sentences in 2003. He chose not to run for reelection in 2002 amid
1102-489: Is currently serving 30 years in prison after being arrested for drug trafficking he committed after his release from death row. Howard remains in prison for armed robbery. Ryan declared in his pardon speech that he would have freed Howard if only his attorney had filed a clemency petition; Ryan then strongly urged investigators to examine Howard's alleged robbery case, because it appeared to be as tainted as his murder conviction. These were four of ten death row inmates known as
1160-569: The 1982 election . The Thompson/Ryan ticket narrowly defeated the Democratic ticket of Adlai Stevenson III and Grace Stern . Thompson and Ryan were both reelected to their positions in 1986 . In 1990, Ryan was elected Secretary of State of Illinois . During his first term as Secretary of State, then– State Treasurer Pat Quinn was publicly critical of Ryan, specifically drawing attention to special vanity license plates that Ryan's office provided for clout-hungry motorists. This rivalry led Quinn in
1218-616: The September 11, 2001, attacks and planning Phase 2 attacks. He pledged to contribute $ 6,500, the amount that Condit paid for his ads on Conn's show, to the Jewish United Fund and the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation. Condit's spots were pulled from WLS that afternoon. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Robert Feder lauded Roe's stance as one of the "genuine class acts" in radio that year. The Roe Conn show took
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#17331054437991276-486: The United States Supreme Court declined to hear Ryan's appeal, Thompson indicated that he would ask then President George W. Bush to commute Ryan's sentence to time served. United States Senator Dick Durbin wrote a letter to Bush dated December 1, 2008, asking him to commute Ryan's sentence, citing Ryan's age and his wife's frail health, saying, "This action would not pardon him of his crimes or remove
1334-438: The "Death Row 10," due to widely reported claims that the confessions that they had given in their respective cases had been coerced through torture. Ryan is not the first state governor to have granted blanket commutations to death row inmates during his final days in office. Arkansas Governor Winthrop Rockefeller also commuted the sentence of every death row inmate in that state as he left office after losing his 1970 bid for
1392-457: The FCC, with which WDUB was having trouble complying. On December 11, 2019, Denison University filed paperwork with the FCC to transfer the signal to Ohio State University for $ 5,000, on-air announcements for four years, and paid student internships. The sale was consummated on February 24, 2020, at which point the station changed its call sign to WOSX. As part of the sale, Denison University retained
1450-537: The Ryan campaign. In addition to Lynda Fairman, who received funds beyond those her husband Michael testified he had received, the stipulations included admissions from the rest of Ryan's daughters that they did little or no work in return for the payments. In addition, Fawell testified that Ryan's mother's housekeeper was illegally paid from campaign funds, and that Ryan's adopted sister, Nancy Ferguson, received campaign funds without performing campaign work. The prosecution took nearly four months to present their case, as
1508-612: The U.S. Supreme Court to hear his case; the opinion called the evidence of Ryan's guilt "overwhelming". The Supreme Court rejected an extension of his bail, and Ryan reported to the Federal Prison Camp in Oxford, Wisconsin , on November 7, 2007. He was transferred on February 29, 2008, to a medium security facility in Terre Haute, Indiana , after Oxford changed its level of medical care and stopped housing inmates over 70 years old. He
1566-506: The WDUB call sign. On March 2, 2020, WOSX relaunched as a hybrid of WOSU's existing public radio formats, simulcasting WOSU-FM in drive time periods with NPR 's Morning Edition and All Things Considered while carrying WOSA 's classical format at all other times; a four-station regional network operated by WOSU concurrently switched from relaying WOSA to relaying WOSX. George Ryan George Homer Ryan (born February 24, 1934)
1624-529: The WLS afternoon show with Roe Conn. Also, Amy Jacobson was removed from her position doing traffic and weather for the show and daily appearances by WLS-TV anchor Ron Magers ceased, although Magers returned to the 3 p.m. hour on February 9, 2010. The following day the show became The Roe Conn Show again with the announcement that Cisco Cotto was leaving to host his own show on WLS from 9 to 11 a.m. On April 12, 2010, Richard Roeper became Roe's new on-air partner, and
1682-439: The benefits provided for under the system shall be paid to Ryan". Ryan was paid $ 635,000 in pension benefits during the three years between his retirement and his political corruption conviction, plus a refund of the $ 235,500 in personal contributions he made during his 30 years in public office. In 2010, Ryan requested early release, partly because his wife had terminal cancer and was given only six months to live, and partly on
1740-416: The case went to trial. Fawell, under pressure from prosecutors, became a key witness against Ryan and Warner. He agreed to a plea deal that cut the prison time for himself and his fiancée, Andrea Coutretsis. Fawell was a controversial witness, not hiding his disdain for prosecutors from the witness stand. According to CBS Chicago political editor Mike Flannery, insiders claimed that Fawell had been "much like
1798-436: The country and bringing up Illinois's technology ranking in a national magazine from 48th out of the 50 states when he took office to 1st just two years later. Ryan committed record funding to education, including 51% of all new state revenues during his time in office, in addition to the billions spent through Illinois FIRST that built and improved schools and education infrastructure. In 1999, Ryan sparked controversy by becoming
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1856-618: The end of 2020. He is also a frequent guest and co-host of the Chicago daytime talk-show Windy City Live as of 2017. After leaving WGN, Conn began working for the Cook County Sheriff, specializing in carjackings. Roe is a 1986 graduate of Denison University , where he studied anthropology . On November 2, 2006, Roe said he was disgusted that WLS 890 had to air Jim Condit Jr.'s political advertisements, issue statements accusing Michael Chertoff and Zionist Jews of orchestrating
1914-515: The first sitting U.S. Governor to meet with Cuban President Fidel Castro . Ryan's visit led to a $ 1 million donation of humanitarian aid, but drew criticism from anti-Castro groups. In 2000, Ryan served as a chair of the Midwestern Governors Association . Ryan helped to renew the national debate on capital punishment when, as governor, he declared a moratorium on his state's death penalty on January 31, 2000. This decision
1972-408: The following week; however, after a change in management, she returned for the third time on March 26, 2010. On May 29, 2009, it was announced on the air that Bill Leff had been laid off by corporate management. Roe and Leff had often joked on the air about the similarity of their voices. On January 11, 2010, The Roe Conn Show became Roe and Cisco, as Cisco Cotto was introduced as the new cohost of
2030-588: The governor was attempting to save his public image in hopes of avoiding prison himself. Buchanan noted "Ryan announced his decision to a wildly cheering crowd at the Northwestern University Law School. Families of the victims of the soon-to-be-reprieved killers were not invited." Ryan's political career was marred by a scandal called "Operation Safe Road", which involved the illegal sale of government licenses, contracts and leases by state employees during his prior service as Secretary of State. In
2088-427: The grounds that he may have been mentally disabled. He was ultimately exonerated with the help of a group of student journalists at Northwestern University who had uncovered evidence that was used to prove his innocence. In 1999, Porter was released, charges were subsequently dropped, and another person, Alstory Simon, confessed and pleaded guilty to the crime of which Porter had been erroneously convicted. Simon himself
2146-513: The grounds that some of his convictions should be vacated in light of a Supreme Court ruling that was alleged to have affected their legitimacy. On December 21, 2010, U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer denied Ryan's request. On January 5, 2011, Ryan was taken from his prison cell in Terre Haute, Indiana , to a hospital in Kankakee to visit his dying wife. He was present when she died on June 27, five months after that visit. Ryan entered
2204-437: The highly successful Roe & Garry Show . In 2004, amid an impasse in contract negotiations with the station, Meier did not renew his contract with WLS. Roe then became the sole host of the show, which also featured Jim Johnson and Christina Filiaggi. In the spring 2006 ratings period, The Roe Conn Show became Chicago's most listened-to radio talk show among adults. On March 27, 2009, Conn announced on his WLS-AM radio show
2262-427: The law created a $ 6.3 billion package for use in school and transportation projects. With various matching funds programs, Illinois FIRST provided $ 2.2 billion for schools, $ 4.1 billion for public transportation, another $ 4.1 billion for roads, and $ 1.6 billion for other projects. He also improved Illinois's technology infrastructure, creating one of the first cabinet-level Offices of Technology in
2320-525: The main sound board, studio interconnects, catalog, recording, and record keeping functions. Over 100 DJs volunteered to broadcast about one show per week. The open format allowed for each DJ to broadcast whatever type of music he or she preferred. The station aspired to feature 24-hour broadcasting, with shows going all night and day. WDUB was consistently ranked as one of America's most popular college radio stations by The Princeton Review (#20 in 2008) [1] (#18 in 2011) [2] (#18 in 2012) [3] . The station
2378-553: The other side of the Atlantic, Robert Badinter , who had successfully introduced the bill abolishing the death penalty in France in 1981 praised Ryan's decision. Many conservatives, though, were opposed to the commutations, some questioning his motives, which came as a federal corruption investigation closed in on the governor and his closest political allies (see below). Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan called Ryan "pathetic", and suggested
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2436-477: The record of his conviction, but it would allow him to return to his wife and family for their remaining years." Bush did not commute Ryan's sentence. After his conviction Ryan's annual $ 197,037 state pension was suspended under state law. Ryan's attorneys litigated the pension matter all the way to the Illinois Supreme Court, which ruled on February 19, 2010, that state law "plainly mandates that none of
2494-500: The reinstatement of the death penalty in 1977, with one execution, that of Ripper Crew member Andrew Kokoraleis, occurring early during Ryan's term. Ryan refused to meet with religious leaders and others regarding "a stay of execution" in light of the impending 'moratorium' and other facts relative to the 'flawed' capital punishment system in Illinois; in fact, under Ryan's governorship, 13 people were released from jail after appealing their convictions based on new evidence. Ryan called for
2552-481: The show was rebranded The Roe Conn Show with Richard Roeper . On October 8, 2014, Roe Conn announced that the Roe & Roeper , was cancelled and he'd be leaving WLS -AM 890 after 25 years. On January 15, 2015, WGN Radio announced that Roe would be hosting afternoon drive from 3pm - 7pm, beginning on January 26. His last show on WGN was September 4, 2020 after management decided not to renew his contract than ran through
2610-590: The station began as an AM "carrier current" radio station on November 12, 1953, at 7 a.m. with the Star Spangled Banner, but ceased broadcasting for a brief period of time in the 1960s, while the building that had housed its studios was being replaced. In 1969, the FCC authorized WDUB to return to the air with a 10-watt signal at 90.9 FM. During the 1970s, WDUB broadcast about 17 hours of programming per day, including open-format music, local sports, and extensive news and special events programming. Stereo broadcasting
2668-644: The wake of numerous convictions of his former aides, he chose not to run for reelection in 2002. Seventy-nine former state officials, lobbyists, and others were charged in the investigation, and at least 75 were convicted. The corruption scandal leading to Ryan's downfall began more than a decade earlier during a federal investigation into a deadly crash in Wisconsin . Six children from the Willis family of Chicago, Illinois , were killed; their parents, Rev. Duane and Janet Willis, were severely burned. The investigation revealed
2726-633: Was a prominent political figure in Kankakee County . In addition, Ryan's sister Kathleen Dean's former son-in-law, Bruce Clark, is the Kankakee County, Illinois Clerk. Ryan began his political career by serving on the Kankakee County Board from 1968 to 1973 (his brother Tom J. Ryan was Mayor of Kankakee for 20 years from 1965 to 1985). He was then elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1972, where he served five terms. In 1976, he
2784-484: Was a sitting governor, he lied to the FBI about this conduct and then he went out and did it again." He charged that one of the most egregious aspects of the corruption was Ryan's action after learning that bribes were being paid for licenses. Instead of ending the practice he tried to end the investigation that had uncovered it, Fitzgerald said, calling the moment "a low-water mark for public service". On September 6, 2006, Ryan
2842-542: Was also featured in American Eagle stores nationwide from June to September in 2009. [4] . Most recently, WDUB was ranked 17th in The Princeton Review's list of best college radio stations ahead of the release of their 2015 guide. [5] The first annual "Doobiepalooza", a 91.1 WDUB sponsored event, occurred on May 3, 2014. The event showcased student musicians and artists. In fall 2014, WDUB debuted two new logos,
2900-505: Was elected House Minority Leader. As Minority Leader, Ryan led Republicans to win a 91-86 majority in the House in 1980; he was subsequently elected Speaker in January 1981. In July 1981, Dave O'Neal , the lieutenant governor under Republican Governor James R. Thompson , resigned unexpectedly. To fill in the vacancy left by O'Neal's resignation, Thompson selected Ryan to be his running mate in
2958-596: Was first-term state representative Corinne Wood . Ryan outspent Poshard by a 4-to-1 margin. Poshard, a firm believer in campaign finance reform, placed limits on individual donations and refused to accept donations from corporate or special interests. One of Ryan's pet projects as governor was an extensive repair of the Illinois Highway System called "Illinois FIRST". FIRST was an acronym for "Fund for Infrastructure, Roads, Schools, and Transit". Signed into law in May 1999,
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#17331054437993016-403: Was heavily influenced by lawsuits filed by exonerated prisoners who made false confessions as a result of police torture under the direction of a police commander named Jon Burge . "We have now freed more people than we have put to death under our system," he said. "There is a flaw in the system, without question, and it needs to be studied." At the time, Illinois had executed 12 people since
3074-431: Was introduced in 1975. In the 1980s and 1990s, the station devoted its resources primarily to music, increased its power to 100 watts, increased its hours of operation, and changed its frequency to its current dial position. In the fall of 2004, WDUB began a second era of its history as the station began streaming its on-air content worldwide. During the summer of 2005, the station went through an entire digital upgrade of
3132-569: Was later released after serving fifteen years for the crime, after it was proven that he, too, was wrongfully accused. On January 11, 2003, just two days before leaving office, Ryan commuted (to "life" terms ) the sentences of everyone on or waiting to be sent to Illinois' death row — a total of 167 convicts — due to his belief that the death penalty could not be administered fairly. He also pardoned four inmates, Aaron Patterson, Madison Hobley and Leroy Orange (all of whom were interrogated by Burge and released), and Stanley Howard. However, Patterson
3190-437: Was listed as Federal Inmate Number 16627-424 and was released on July 3, 2013. Ryan's defense was provided pro bono by Winston & Strawn , a law firm managed by former governor Jim Thompson . The defense cost the firm $ 10 million through mid-November 2005. Estimates of the cost to the firm as of September 2006 ranged as high as $ 20 million. Ryan served as Thompson's lieutenant governor from 1983 to 1991. After
3248-454: Was owed money for work related to contract negotiations. Conn's testimony contradicted that of Meier, and the jury sided with Musburger. Conn, in a partnership called R Plus Partners, owns two race horses. Ron Magers is also a member of this entity. On June 9, 2007, Conn became a winning owner when his horse, Greeley's Angel, won for the first time in Race 5 at Arlington Park. R Plus partners had
3306-563: Was sentenced to six and a half years in prison. He was ordered to go to prison on January 4, 2007, but the appellate court granted an appeal bond, allowing him to remain free pending the outcome of the appeal. His conviction was affirmed by the Court of Appeals of the Seventh Circuit on August 21, 2007, and review by the entire Seventh Circuit was denied on October 25, 2007. The Seventh Circuit then rejected Ryan's bid to remain free while he asked
3364-460: Was to spare Coutretsis a long prison sentence for her role in the conspiracy. The jury was twice sent out of the courtroom so that he could wipe tears from his eyes and regain his composure. Ryan's daughters and a son-in-law, Michael Fairman, were implicated by testimony during the trial. Stipulations agreed upon by the defense and prosecution and submitted to the court included admissions that all five of Ryan's daughters received illegal payments from
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