Corruption and providence

The Willis letters: Letters Scott & Janet Willis sent to U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer

Here are the letters Scott and Janet Willis sent to U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer, who said she read them before sentencing former Illinois governor George Ryan to 6 ½ years in prison.

For more on this story, see Marvin Olasky's column: Corruption and providence

Reprinted with permission of Scott and Janet Willis.

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To the Honorable Judge Pallmeyer:

On Nov. 8, 1994, I voted to re-elect George Ryan as secretary of state to be in charge of road safety. I am a mother. I loved my children, home-schooled them, and with God's help, poured my heart into trying to be the best mother I could be. We were very close. A few hours after that vote was cast, I watched as my children were trapped in an inferno. I have had to ask God to help me to forget the sights and thoughts of that day and all that occurred. However, I think now maybe for this one time, if I would be willing to share some things, it might down the road, benefit others.