Corinne Wood (Lake Forest)
Class of 1996
Corinne Wood made history with her election to statewide office. On January 11, 1999, she was inaugurated as the first female Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, pledging to be an active lieutenant governor for the people of the state. Wood plays an important role in leading administration efforts on health care, downtown economic development, rural affairs, the environment and family service issues.
Wood brings experience in public service and the private sector to the Office of Lieutenant Governor, a post formerly held by Governor George Ryan and former U.S. Senator Paul Simon.
The second highest-ranking state official, Lieutenant Governor Wood began a career in public service 20 years ago. Her experience includes service as a state representative, attorney, local leader, community activist, wife and mother. She has earned a reputation as a strong advocate for women and children. She earned distinction as one of "100 Women Making a Difference" in Illinois by Today's Chicago Woman magazine.
A breast cancer survivor, Wood is committed to improving health care for women. Governor George Ryan named Lieutenant Governor Wood to lead Women's Health Illinois, an initiative to improve women's health education and services.
In her first year in office, Lieutenant Governor Wood launched "A Check for a Cure." The program raises awareness of breast cancer issues and, in 1999, helped increase contributions to a breast cancer research check-off by 125 percent. Together with Governor Ryan, the lieutenant governor worked to double funding for the state Office of Women's Health, expanding health education and outreach efforts and making a program for low-cost breast and cervical exams available nearly statewide. Lieutenant Governor Wood also created a Midwest Emmy-nominated monthly cable television show, Today's Healthy Woman, to provide information that can help women and families remain healthy, safe and strong.
Lieutenant Governor Wood coordinates the State Government Accountability Council, working to make state government more responsive to taxpayers' needs and interests. In addition, she leads programs to encourage rural development and promote downtown revitalization.
The Lieutenant Governor also leads the state's efforts to improve economic opportunities and pursue equity for women as honorary chair of the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women.
Lieutenant Governor Wood leads the state's efforts to preserve one of its most valuable natural resources, the Illinois River. As chair of the Illinois River Coordinating Council, Wood directs the state's strategy in protecting and restoring the Illinois River Watershed and its tributaries. In 1999, she worked to double funding for a voluntary incentive program to remove eroding lands from farm production.
In addition, the lieutenant governor developed youth and ethnic advisory councils to encourage civic involvement among all the state's citizens and to give young people and minorities a stronger voice in state government. Wood also serves as Chair or the Midwestern Region of the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors.
After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Illinois and Loyola University School of Law, Wood was named general counsel to the Illinois Commissioner of Banks and Trusts. She later joined the Chicago law firm of Hopkins and Sutter.
While Corinne and her husband, Paul, raised their three children, she served her community as an active member of charitable, political and governmental boards and commissions. Wood's community involvement spurred her election to the Illinois House of Representatives.
During her first year in Springfield, she passed more bills signed into law than any other freshman state representative. Her hard work as a legislator caught the attention of George Ryan, who tapped her to be his running mate. Wood made campaign visits to all 102 counties in Illinois, discussing the ambitious agenda of the Ryan/Wood team. On November 3rd, 1998, George Ryan and Corinne Wood were elected Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Illinois.
Corinne and Paul, an investment banker, have been married for 21 years. They and their three children, Ashley, 14, Brandon, 13, and Courtney, 10, reside in Lake County.
