Ryan received his B.A. in Political Science and History from Aurora University and his M.S. in History from Illinois State University. Ryan is a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law, and as a law student volunteered as a certified mediator in landlord-tenant disputes in Cook County. Throughout his nine years of higher education, Ryan remained on the Dean's List every semester except for two. Ryan was active in extracurricular activities and served as the President of many student organizations.
Ryan previously worked as a prosecutor in Kane County (St. Charles), Winnebago County (Rockford), and Stephenson County (Freeport); in his last position, Ryan was the Misdemeanor Supervisor and also prosecuted Juvenile Delinquency and Abuse and Neglect cases.
