Illinoisans finally got something at Wednesday's sentencing hearing for former Gov. George Ryan for which they have waited a long time.

No, it wasn't a long prison sentence. It was an apology - sort of.

"When they elected me as the governor of this state, they expected better, and I let them down," Ryan said in asking for leniency.

"I should have been more vigilant. I obviously failed," he told U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer, before she handed him a 6½-year sentence.

It wasn't an admission of guilt, but at least it was an admission of failure.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and his team did an excellent job of pursuing leads during the eight-year Operation Safe Roads investigation of corruption.

Of 79 individuals indicted, 75 have been convicted.

The 6½-year term was less than the eight-to-10 year sentence prosecutors had sought. But it is a suitable sentence considering Ryan's age, 72, and the impending loss of his pension.

This is no slap on the wrist. But Pallmeyer didn't throw the book at him, either.

The racketeering conspiracy count against him carried a possible sentence of 20 years. In addition, he was convicted of mail and tax fraud, lying to federal agents and filing false tax returns.

Ryan has become the third former Illinois governor to be sentenced to prison in less than 35 years.

Former Gov. Otto Kerner served a year for crimes committed after he became a federal judge. Former Gov. Dan Walker served 17 months for crimes committed after he left public office.

Ryan's misdeeds occurred during his time as secretary of state as well as governor.

Steering leases to political insiders cost the state at least $603,348 based on the restitution Pallmeyer ordered Ryan to pay. And, at least indirectly, the corruption cost several lives as a result of sales of drivers licenses to unqualified persons. The payoffs made their way to Ryan's campaign chest.

More difficult to measure is the cost of diminishing respect for government as a result of this case.

"Government leaders have an obligation to stand as the example," Judge Pallmeyer said. "Mr. Ryan failed to meet that standard."

Ryan didn't just take away money, through gifts from well-connected individuals and contributions to his campaigns. He took away confidence and trust in government.

And that will be even more difficult to recover than the $603,348 in restitution ordered by the judge.

But seeing that Ryan did not get away with the corruption and insider dealing is the first step in restoring that confidence.