CHICAGO- Former Illinois Governor George Ryan, who held the state’s top office just before the infamous Rod Blagojevich had it, will spend at least one more Christmas behind bars.  A Federal Judge Tuesday denied Ryan’s request “to vacate, set aside or correct” his sentence and set him free.

The 76-year old Ryan has been in prison since 2006 for convictions on conspiracy, racketeering, mail fraud and other charges.   The Feds say he took bribes and kickbacks while in office.  He was sentenced in to 6 1/2 years.

Ryan’s wife Lura Lynn has been having serious health problems and now doctors say she won’t make it much longer.  Attorneys, politicians, members of the public, and even the Reverend Jesse Jackson have been calling for Ryan’s release.  Jackson apparently even lobbied President Obama for help.

Ryan is a Republican, and endorsed President Bush during his campaign, so there was speculation that Bush might help Ryan obtain early release, but that didn’t happen.