Ryan lawyers say ex-gov's wife is dying

CHICAGO (AP) — Attorneys for George Ryan say the imprisoned former governor's wife of 54 years is terminally ill.

A frail Lura Lynn Ryan attended a federal court hearing Thursday carrying an oxygen canister in a tote bag and with tubes running from it to her nose.

Attorney Dan Webb cited her illness in arguing there's urgency to the request to release the ex-governor while the judge considers a motion to throw out parts of George Ryan's 2006 conviction.

Webb says Ryan's wife has a lung disease and only has "one or two years to live."

The 76-year-old former Republican governor is due for release in 2013. He wants Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer to dismiss convictions based on disputed anti-fraud laws.

Pallmeyer will hear arguments Nov. 1.