Originally published on May 19, 2021 12:10 pm
Corinne Wood s election in 1998 was historic. She was the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor in the state s history. Wood died Tuesday, just days before she would have turned 67.
Her tenure included a focus on women s health, including breast cancer. Wood was first diagnosed in the 90s. This issue is important to me for both policy and personal reasons. As a breast cancer survivor, I want other women to have the same health care opportunities I had, Wood said in a 1999 interview. Her work included the effort to create an income tax checkoff to bring more funding to breast cancer research.
Sun-Times file
Corinne Wood, Illinois’ first female lieutenant governor, died Tuesday after a long battle with breast cancer.
Wood, 66, served as lieutenant governor from 1999 to 2003 in the administration of Gov. George Ryan.
“Surrounded by her immediate family, she died peacefully from complications related to her 15-year struggle with metastatic breast cancer,” her family said in a statement.
Current Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said Wednesday in a tweet, “She paved the way for women like me to serve in this role.”
The Illinois Republican Party, in a tweet offering condolences to Wood’s family, called her a “trailblazer” and “a brave woman who battled cancer for many years and used her time in public office to champion women’s health.”
Corinne Wood
CHICAGO, Ill. (WJPF) Corinne Wood, Illinois’ first female Lieutenant Governor, has died after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 67-year-old.
Wood, a Republican, served as Lt. Governor under Governor George Ryan from 1999 – 2003. Before that, she served as a State Representative for the 59th District.
In 2002, Wood unsuccessfully campaigned for the Republican nomination for governor, ultimately finishing third.
Corinne Wood
CHICAGO, Ill. (WJPF) Corinne Wood, Illinois’ first female Lieutenant Governor, has died after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 67-year-old.
Wood, a Republican, served as Lt. Governor under Governor George Ryan from 1999 – 2003. Before that, she served as a State Representative for the 59th District.
In 2002, Wood unsuccessfully campaigned for the Republican nomination for governor, ultimately finishing third.
Corinne Wood
CHICAGO, Ill. (WJPF) Corinne Wood, Illinois’ first female Lieutenant Governor, has died after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 67-year-old.
Wood, a Republican, served as Lt. Governor under Governor George Ryan from 1999 – 2003. Before that, she served as a State Representative for the 59th District.
In 2002, Wood unsuccessfully campaigned for the Republican nomination for governor, ultimately finishing third.