In case you have lost track, it has been nearly four years since former Gov. George Ryan was indicted for misdeeds while he was secretary of state and governor.

He was convicted of all charges - racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud, false statements, tax fraud and filing a false tax return - more than 18 months ago.

He was sentenced to 6½ years in a federal prison more than a year ago.

And still he hasn't served a day of that sentence.

He recently lost his appeal to the full 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and has been ordered to report to prison on Nov. 7. His attorneys are making a last-ditch effort to keep him out of prison through an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Former Gov. Ryan is entitled to his legal rights - including the right to appeal - just like anyone else

But he also should have to "pay his debt to society" just like anyone else.

Part of that debt to society is the prison sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer in September 2006.

That sentence is an expression of the seriousness with which these offenses are viewed and it is a message to other public officials who might consider putting the interests of themselves or their friends above those of the public they are sworn to serve.

But the message is muted the longer the implementation of that sentence is delayed.

Another part of Ryan's "debt" is the more than $600,000 in restitution the former governor has been ordered to pay - restitution of money lost by the state when contracts were improperly steered to Ryan's cronies.

Ryan may never be able to repay the debt for another loss resulting from his actions: the loss of trust in government.

Ryan isn't the only one responsible for that loss of trust. Two predecessors have served prison time in the past 35 years.

But both of them, Otto Kerner and Dan Walker, were sentenced for wrongdoing committed after they were out of the governor's office. Ryan was convicted based on actions taken while he was secretary of state and governor.

Now, it's not just Illinoisans' trust in the governor's office that is being tested; their trust in the fairness of the justice system is also on trial.