The sentencing of former Illinois Governor George Ryan this week brought an end to a huge political corruption scandal. But the parents of six children killed in the tragic highway accident that led to Ryan's downfall say they are still waiting for an apology from the ex-Governor.

An investigation into the van crash that killed six children of Scott and Janet Willis in 1994 uncovered a system of campaign contributions and bribes that allegedly put thousands of unqualified truck drivers on the road.  The widening investigation ultimately led to the door of then-Governor Ryan, who was convicted of racketeering and fraud in April.

At his sentencing hearing this week, Ryan apologized to the people of Illinois, but did not acknowledge participating in the corruption. Ryan said, "People of this state expected better, and I let them down.  I simply didn't do enough -- should've been more vigilant, should've been more watchful. Should have been a lot of things, I guess." 

Despite Ryan's pleas for mercy, federal judge Rebecca Pallmeyer sentenced the 72-year-old Republican to six and a half years in prison.  Prosecutor Patrick Collins said letters written by the Willises noting Ryan's lack of remorse were a key factor in the sentencing.  According to Collins, "I think that when Judge Pallmeyer imposed the sentence that she imposed, she was thinking about the victims of corruption."  Ryan plans to appeal his conviction.

In a 1999 interview  with ABC News,  Governor Ryan did express sympathy for Scott Willis' ordeal, saying, "I want to tell you that I'm very sympathetic.  I'm the father of many children myself.  This fellow lost all of his children in a very tragic accident."  However, the Willises say Ryan has rebuffed their attempts to obtain a direct apology.  According to Scott Willis, "We have a forgiving spirit and we want to do that...but he needs to admit that he did  wrong and that it had a great effect not just on us, but on our family and other people."