Given his scandal-plagued, budget-botched administration's history, we fully hoped Ryan would pack his things and exit Springfield quietly.

Didn't happen.

On Saturday, Ryan made international headlines by commuting the sentences of 167 inmates on the state's death row.

Earlier this month, Ryan learned that he has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

His actions over the weekend demonstrate clearly how much he covets that prize.

It was, unfortunately, another bad move in a term saturated by bad moves.

"Go ahead George, take the law into your own hands. Leave another mess for Rod Blagojevich to clean up."

Ryan believes that the state's death penalty system is both flawed and immoral.

And isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?

But that's George Ryan.

As he left Springfield on Monday, his spirits were unusually high as he spoke of a possible lecture tour to address the death penalty and reviving his golf game.

Pretty clever, George, pave your own highway to retirement.

His latest series of moves is so typical we aren't surprised.

Still, Ryan must move carefully and quickly.

No matter what he did and will do to make a splash, those dark clouds aren't going anywhere.

Ryan must witness the racketeering trial of Scott Fawell, a close, longtime aide, and Ryan's campaign committee chairman.

An investigation into Ryan's secretary of state's office netted 50 convictions in a bribes-for-licenses scandal, although Ryan has not been charged.

So even though he's back home in Kankakee, Ryan will continue to make headlines for some time.

He just won't go away quietly.