The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 1

iu ma j.i 11 a'm diU 5 1 TTT! aim hahfy 32 pages, 4 sections TUESDAY, January 12, 1999 Bloomington-Normal, Illinois 50cf 9 Tt roan woo More on Jordan's career Page B1 i'f V.v'' 1 1 iv -1 By Knight Ridder Newspapers CHICAGO He's gone. With two words "I'm back" Michael Jordan made his spectacular return to basketball almost four years ago and led the Bulls to three consecutive NBA championships and six in eight years. On Wednesday, Jordan, arguably the greatest player in NBA history and one of the world's biggest celebrities, will announce his retirement from the NBA, sources close to Jordan said late Monday. Jordan is expected to deliver the much anticipated announcement in a news conference, probably at the United Center. It would be Jordan's second retirement there, the first in a ceremony after the new Bulls arena opened in 1994, and where a statue stands calling Jordan the best there ever was, the best there ever will be.

It's appropriate for Jordan to mark what figures finally to be the end of his glorious career at the United Center because it is the arena he built, much like Yankee fect time for a legend of Jordan's stature to leave the game. Because the history books will record not only the fabulous achievements six championships, a record 10 scoring titles, two Olympic gold medals, five MVP awards, six Finals' MVP awards and the all-time highest scoring averages in the regular season, All-Star Games and playoffs- but the face Jordan left the game in storybook fashion. Perhaps the enduring moment of the greatest career in athletic history will be Jordan's final shot the image of his hand outstretched toward the basket to win the Bulls' six championship last June at Utah. It enables Jordan to leave basketball as he always said he would: On top, without anyone ever questioning his ability or his place as the greatest in the game. He never wanted to stay too long.

And for many, it never will be long enough. Jordan was certainly the most popular athlete in the world and undoubtedly the most popular in American sports history. Beyond that he transcended the game, becoming an ternational celebrity and spokesman. Stadium was the House that (Babe) Ruth built. To many, perhaps, it's not a surprise that Jordan is retiring.

For months, there have been signs that he has not been staying in basketball shape. In addition, Jordan took himself out of the negotiations for a new NBA labor contract, which was ratified last week. Jordan, not untypically, left the sports world guessing for several days after the settlement as he vacationed in the Bahamas. The Bulls said they would do nothing regarding their team and hiring a new coach, which now certainly will be Tim Floyd, until Jordan made a decision on his future. That looks like it will be Wednesday.

And even though there's been considerable speculation andangst about what Jordan would do and when he would do it, Jordan's retirement now makes it perhaps the per Michael Jordan, shown resting on the bench in this March 20, 1998 photo, plans to announce his retirement from basketball. ff 111 jiPUrrrv, njL AM'! George Ryan Illinois' 39th governor BORN Feb. 24, 1934. RESIDENCE Kankakee. EDUCATION Ferris State College, bachelor's degree in pharmacy.

EXPERIENCE Secretary of state, 1991 -Jan. 11, 1999; lieutenant governor, 1983-91; speaker of the House, 1981-83; state representative, including four years as House minority leader, 1973-83; county board member, 1968-73; pharmacist, 1962-1990; U.S. Army, 1954-56. OCCUPATION Governor. FAMILY Wife, Lura Lynn, and six adult children.

Left, Republican George Ryan took the oath of office for Illinois governor Monday in Springfield as Ryan's wife, Lura Lynn, held the Bible. y- i inn iifinf --J I- i I i ,) inn mm mni-m mn -irrii 1 1 Livingston jail review pursued By M.K. GUETERSLOH Pontiac bureau chief PONTIAC With the future of building a new jail in Livingston County still uncertain, Sheriff Marvin Rutledge is asking for a federal organization to study the county's existing jail. Rutledge said Monday he has made a request to the National Institute of Corrections, an organization funded by the Department of Justice, to study the current jail conditions. "They will give their input as to where we are regarding state and federal mandates for county jails," Rutledge said.

"The NIC will give us its opinion about the status of the jail, but this is not a regulatory commission." The jail is inspected annually by the Illinois Department of Corrections, which oversees jails to ensure they are following state standards. In the most recent state inspection, last April, the jail was found deficient in areas such as cell size and temperature control. Rutledge also said the county has more prisoners than cells. On Monday the jail population was at 60 for the 64-bed facility. Over the weekend, when Rutledge said the population routinely increases, eight prisoners from Livingston County had to be moved to Ford County.

Rutledge told the County Board's Sheriff, Jail and License Committee that for the eight inmates to be detained four days, it cost the county $1,753. That figure includes the $35 per inmate, per day charged by Ford County and re-See JAIL, back page Clinton lawyers submit formal view to Senate By Knight Ridder Newspapers WASHINGTON, D.C. In his first formal response to the Senate that will decide whether he should stay in office, President Clinton denied Monday that he committed perjury or obstructed justice. But even if he did, White House lawyers argued, it wouldn't be grounds to remove him from office. Acceding to the warnings of Democratic senators, the White House decided against asking to dismiss the case before arguments begin Thursday, although lawyers could do so later.

"The White House is suggesting that there is no perjury, that the House has failed to make a case for perjury," said White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart. Further, he said, the evidence "does not reach the standard of an impeachable offense." House Republicans, acting as prosecutors, countered that the president's behavior does warrant removal from office and his "crimes need not arise directly out of his official duties." Three days before the House prosecutors will make their opening statements to the Senate, both sides offered glimpses of their arguments See CLINTON, back page ardYfYffEiRiYk 3 Cj 3 COO SoOO I Other officers sworn in I Mrs. Ryan to fight drug use Illinois' statewide office holders IIP Page A4 SPRINGFIELD (AP) George Ryan took over as Illinois governor Monday and promised to use his vaunted deal-making skills to promote cooperation in a state known for political bickering. The 64-year-old Republican officially became Illinois' 39th governor just after noon, when he swore to uphold the constitution and faithfully discharge his duties. "So help me God," he added firmly.

Ryan devoted much of his 24-minute inaugural address to the need for all interests to cooperate. Depending on your point of view, someone who can make deals is either an unprincipled insider or a hero who builds consensus, he said. "I'll be an advocate. I'll try to formulate compromise and a deal," he promised. "I hope very much it makes me a hero when I do it." Ryan took his oath on a century-old Bible held by his wife, Lura Lynn.

Retired Cook County Judge Saul Epton administered the oath, as he has the four other times Ryan entered a statewide office, most recently as secretary of state. Nearly 6,000 people filled the Prairie Capital Convention Center to witness the inauguration of Ryan and five others: Corinne Wood as lieutenant governor, Jesse White as secretary of state, Jim Ryan as attorney general, Dan Hynes as comptroller and Judy Baar Topinka as treasurer. Ryan decried the bitterness he sees in politics and said that to govern successfully he needs the help of Governor George Ryan Lieutenant Governor Corinne Wood Secretary of State Jesse White Attorney General Jim Ryan Comptroller Dan Hynes Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka See RYAN, back page Various images: 4 governors onstage Ryan caught in elevator mer Gov. Jim Edgar, his predecessor, James R. Thompson, and former Gov.

William Stratton. Ryan took a moment from his inaugural address to thank his Democratic opponent Glenn Poshard, who received See IMAGES, back page versial Illinois Supreme Court Justice James Heiple took a seat on the stage just seats from Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. State Sen. John Maitland, R-Bloomington, sat in the audience. At one point, four current or former Illinois governors were seated in the same row on stage, including Ryan, for Following are some of the sidelights: The cast of characters Notable figures from Illinois politics past and present were in attendance at the inaugural ceremony at the Prairie Capitol Convention Center.

The man George Ryan beat to become the state's 39th governor was there. Contro By KURT ERICKSON Springfield bureau chief SPRINGFIELD Illinois' capital city was awash in Inaugural Day festivities Monday, from the pomp and circumstance of the swearing-in ceremonies to the formal balls and parties Monday night. News in brief Monday, Jan. 11 winning numbers heimer left Kansas City. Ray Rhodes went to the Packers, and Andy Reid took the top spot with the Eagles.

Story on Bl Some snow early, then limited sunshine and a few flurries. High 30. Details on back page The gutters and curbs in the unincorporated areas of McLean County soon may become a thing of the past. McLean County's Executive Committee will be looking into the issue today. Story on A3 Maurice K.

Turner, who admitted shooting three people at Illinois State University in 1993, will be sentenced today. His original sentencing was appealed and his second plea agreement scrapped due to a technicality. Pick 3 1-193 2-547 Pick 4 1-9344 2-7004 Little Lotto 1 10 23 25 27 Jackpots Lotto $2 million Big Game $22 million Rapper Will Smith took home Abby D3 Business C1 Classified C5 Comics D6 Focus D1 Entertainment D5 Horoscope D3 Obituaries A5 Opinion A8 Sports B1 Illinois State University will be creating a special position that will educate victims of sexual assault about the university's services and the help available to them. While the number of reported sexual assaults on campus have been fairly consistent, the university wants to take a proactive role in dealing with the problem. Story on A2 A Sunday night fire at a student apartment building has displaced 24 Illinois State University students and one snake.

There were no fatalities in the fire, but a groundskeeper did have to resuscitate the snake. The fire caused $100,000 in damage. Story on A3 three at the Ameri Today's weather symbol was drawn by lesha Perkins, age 7, of Sheridan Elementary School ThefPantagraph cONNECTING CENTRAL ILLINOIS Pantagraph main phone number: (309) 829-9411 Save with home delivery Call 827-7323 or 1-800-747-7323 or e-mail circpantagraph.com Story on A4 Yet another shuffle in the coaching cards for the NFL happened Monday. Marty Schotten- can Music Awards Monday night. Celine Dion and Garth Brooks were two other big winners.

Story on D5 III The Pantagraph 0sij. uses recycled paper and iiW soy ink. CopyrtgM 19M Ttw Pntgrph CITYLINE 829-9000 PANTAG II APIH0 LI wwwpantag raphcom.