Corinne Wood

In 1999, Corinne Wood made history by becoming Illinois' first female Lieutenant Governor. As the state's second highest ranking official she led efforts to improve healthcare, economic development and our environmental resources. As chair of Women's Health Illinois and the Honorary Chair of the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women, Lt. Governor. Wood made health care a priority. She worked to triple funding for the state's Office of Women's Health, expanded health care services for women statewide, created and hosted a Midwest Emmy-nominated cable television show, "Today's Healthy Woman", and raised nearly $2 million in private funds for breast cancer research through her "Check for a Cure" program.

As chair of the Illinois Main Street Council, the Illinois Rural Bond Bank and the Governor's Rural Affairs Council, Lt. Governor Wood led economic development efforts to grow jobs and rebuild communities by providing $2 million in low interest loans for community projects and investing $3 million of public and private funds into downtown revitalization efforts.

Lt. Governor Wood also led the state's efforts to preserve one of our state's most valuable resources, the Illinois River. She spearheaded the development of Illinois Rivers 2020, a $2.5 billion dollar federal/state blueprint to restore the Illinois River watershed and secured a $100 million authorization from Congress for the first three years of the program.

In her single term as a state representative, Lt. Governor Wood introduced and passed more legislation than any other freshman representative. She led efforts to protect seniors, increase education funding, and support campaign finance and welfare reforms.