From The Chicago Sun-Times:

Ryan defends chief of staff at Lincoln library event

November 19, 2002

BY DAVE MCKINNEY SUN-TIMES SPRINGFIELD BUREAU

SPRINGFIELD--Gov. Ryan's controversial chief of staff managed to upstage America's 16th president during a dedication ceremony the governor threw Monday for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

Ryan used the event to publicly defend Robert Newtson against his critics--including Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (R-Ill.)--who have voiced concern that Ryan and Newtson intend to turn the $115 million Lincoln library and museum into a political dumping ground for cronies.

Hours before the dedication, Fitzgerald urged Illinoisans to "keep an eye" on a Newtson-led foundation that has helped raise money for the Lincoln complex and on whether Newtson, the governor or first lady Lura Lynn Ryan ever try to tap into the foundation for income.

"There's an old saying that no good deed goes unpunished," Ryan said. "Bob has endured more than his share of punishment for carrying through on this good deed. And everyone should know Bob Newtson was a leader in the decision to build this library, and without him, we wouldn't be here today."

Ryan once touted Newtson as "eminently qualified" to direct the library and its museum, which won't open until 2004. But a public outcry took the governor's top aide, who lacked credentials in history, out of the running for the job.

Fitzgerald, absent from Monday's ceremony at the soon-to-open library, said he was "concerned" about the way Newtson and Ryan have been raising money for the library and museum. Ryan's office has said it cannot provide a complete list of donors to the complex.

"I was concerned when we discovered that George Ryan had been soliciting private money for the foundation out of the office of the governor in an effort involving Mr. Newtson," Fitzgerald said in a statement. "If Mr. Newtson is compensated financially for his involvement with the foundation or the library, I will be concerned."

Ryan aides said Newtson has not been paid by the foundation for his work. The governor called Fitzgerald's words a "cheap shot."