Ryan is scheduled to speak at DePaul University, Chicago. The governor, who leaves office Monday, is contemplating reducing the sentences of more than 150 people.

His efforts to reform the state's flawed system will be left unfinished by the current General Assembly, which is in session this week, according to Speaker Michael Madigan.

Ryan's death penalty work prompted a law professor to push Ryan as a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. Some state lawmakers believe his odds of winning it are mighty long.

Senate President James "Pate" Philip, R-Wood Dale, was among those who brushed off questions concerning the nomination, which was formally announced at the Statehouse on Monday by University of Illinois law professor Francis Boyle.

State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, scoffed at Boyle's campaign, which has garnered international interest.

"As a supporter of the death penalty, I find no merit in that nomination," said Brady. "This is strictly a difference of philosophical opinion."

Boyle, a death penalty opponent, has helped organize a Web site to push Ryan's nomination, which must be turned in to Nobel prize officials by Feb. 1. He said more than 1,100 people have visited the site (http://stopcapitalpunishment.org) since it was unveiled Dec. 24.

Boyle, meanwhile, is a former member of the board of directors of Amnesty International USA, which has actively worked to abolish the death penalty. He also has been a legal advisor to the Palestinian Liberation Organization, the Libyan government and has authored impeachment papers against President George H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush.

State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said the governor has taken a "monumental step in trying to reform the death penalty."

But, Brady added, "I still believe in the death penalty. I certainly want it, especially with our forensic capabilities today."

State Rep. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, said the governor deserves credit for raising the issue.

"As far as whether it is meritorious for the peace prize, I'm not suggesting that it is not. I just need to understand what is the criteria to do that?" said Rutherford.

Illinois is among 38 states that permit capital punishment. All countries in western Europe have banned the death penalty, and Russia has done the same.