Gov. George Ryan said Aug. 8 that he'll not be seeking the Republican nomination for governor next year An investiation continues into the money-for-license while an investigation continues into the bribes-for-licenses scandal that occurred during his eight years as secretary of state.

Since he began his term more than two years ago, Ryan has lost ground in polls, as he became plagued by a federal bribery inquiry involving employees of the Illinois secretary of state's office while Ryan was serving there, according to The New York Times. The inquiry concerned bribes paid in exchange for commercial driver's licenses; Ryan has not been implicated.

"I believe that we've made a difference and I think we've done some good," Ryan said. "And we're not done yet."

However, Ryan said moments later that he would not run for governor again. "The governorship should not become mired in the political divisions of the campaign year," he said. "And that's why I will not be a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor in the year 2002."

Ryan made the announcement from his hometown, about 50 miles south of Chicago, on the stairs of the Kankakee County Courthouse. Hundreds of people, knowing that state Republicans have urged him to not seek a second term, gathered to hear his decision, according to the Times.

Polls had shown declining support for Ryan; in one recent survey, two-thirds of the respondents said he should not run for re-election.

Democrats see next year's race as a good opportunity to win the governor's seat, particularly in light of the federal investigation. Illinois has not had a Democratic governor in nearly three decades.