Corinne Wood
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* CBS 2…
Corinne Wood, the former Illinois Lieutenant Governor under Gov. George Ryan, has died after a 15-year battle with breast cancer, her husband, Paul, confirmed on Tuesday evening.
Wood served as the state’s first female lieutenant governor from 1999 to 2003. She would have turned 67 years old on May 28. Wood, an attorney, served as a Republican state house member, representing the 59th District, before becoming lieutenant governor.
In 2002, she sought the Republican nomination for governor to succeed the retiring Ryan. She finished third in the primary losing to Attorney General Jim Ryan. That year, Gov. Rod Blagojevich became the first Democrat to win that office since 1977.
She made her presence known more than most LGs before and since. Wood was no shrinking violet. And she had such a strong spirit and optimism as she dealt with cancer. She just would not give up. All respect.
* Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton…
It was with great sorrow that I learned of the passing of Corinne Wood who died after waging a courageous battle against breast cancer. As the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor of Illinois, she was a trailblazer bringing her authentic self to the office and elevating the issue of women’s health. She paved the way for women like me to serve in this role. My husband Bryan and I send our prayers and heartfelt condolences to the family.
* Change Illinois…
The Board of Directors and staff of CHANGE Illinois mourn the death of groundbreaking former Republican Lt. Gov. Corinne G. Wood, a long-time board director and champion of CHANGE Illinois and the effort to achieve independent mapping in Illinois.
Surrounded by her immediate family, Corinne died peacefully from complications related to her 15-year struggle with metastatic breast cancer.
“We have lost a friend, guiding light, and staunch ally. Corrine’s grace and brilliance will be dearly missed,” said CHANGE Illinois Board Co-Chair Deborah Harrington.
Corinne was a mother and wife, an attorney, a former member of the Illinois General Assembly, and the first female Lieutenant Governor of the State of Illinois.
She remained active in many political, civic and social endeavors after leaving office.
“Corinne Wood was committed to improving Illinois long after her tenure in elected office ended,” said CHANGE Illinois Executive Director Madeleine Doubek. “As a reporter, I covered Wood during her time in office. When I joined CHANGE Illinois, Corinne turned the tables and frequently asked tough, incisive questions about our fight for independent mapping and improved ethics in Illinois. We were better for it and for her contributions. We need more committed public servants like Corinne fighting for Illinois.”
She is survived by her husband, Paul, and three adult children, Ashley, Brandon and Courtney. Funeral and memorial service arrangements are pending.
I’ll update as needed.
- Blue Dog - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 6:04 am:
God Bless and rest in peace.
- Give Me A Break - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 8:19 am:
RIP Corrine. She was one of the first GOP members of the House to understand the need for parity in insurance and health plans for mental health. She didn’t spare words for those who opposed idea.
She was fighter and had a great sense of humor. As a Dem, I appreciated her ability to reach out the other side of the aisle and work with Dems.
A loss for Illinois.
- froganaon - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 8:23 am:
Peace and healing to Corrine’s family. She was a gallant and persistent fighter for good public policy. She was an inspiration to me and other women. Rest In Peace.
- We've never had one before - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 8:32 am:
Cancer. RIP Corrine Wood. Cancer sucks, I wouldn’t wish it on an enemy.
Corrine aligned herself with gun control organizations in Illinois, when the GOP still understood the need to pay the 2nd Amendment some lip service.
- Nick Name - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 8:53 am:
Rest in peace. Prayers for her and her family.
- Frumpy White Guy - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 9:02 am:
Rest in eternal peace. My condolences too her family.
- Pizza Man - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 9:03 am:
May she always be remembered as a trailblazer, hard-working legislator, and the # 2 working in a bi-partisan fashion. I hope Mr. Ryan issues a statement on his historic selection of the first female lt. guv.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 9:07 am:
The Honorable Corrine Wood.
A trail blazer in her becoming Illinois’ first woman to win election as Lt. Governor, and blazed through as a leader and champion on policy.
For me, she will be remembered for her tenacity, courage, strength, compassion and being an elected official you could respect and admire both inside and outside politics and governing.
My sincere condolences to her family, my thought and prayers for them and to the many friends and people Corinne Wood touched throughout her life.
Godspeed
- hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 9:39 am:
I am a fully-fledged Dem partisan now but in 2002 I was not. and in that year’s GOP primary I voted for her for governor.
I only met her once but in that time she came across as a very smart, warm, impressive person.
Condolences to her family and friends.
- Chitowndrummer - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 9:55 am:
I am deeply saddened by Corinne’s passing, as she was not only my former boss but also my friend.
I met her in the 1980s, and she succeeded Virginia Frederick as 59th Dist. State Rep. while I was Press Secretary to Congressman John Porter (R-10th). When John retired in 2000, Corinne asked me to join her staff as Director of Communications.
There’s an old joke in Springfield about the role of Lieutenant Governor: you start each day by walking down the hall to the Governor’s office; if he has a pulse, return to your office and await further instructions.
Corinne wasn’t having any of that, and she sure as hell wasn’t awaiting instructions or permission from anyone.
She excelled at her statutory duties as Lt. Governor, including chairing the Rural Affairs Council, the Rural Bond Bank of Illinois, the Illinois Main Street Program, and the Illinois River Coordinating Council.
She was a demanding boss and liked to start her days early. Weekly meetings to review her schedule and legislative agenda (to which you better not be late) began promptly at 7:00 a.m.
I’m not a morning person and chafed at those early gatherings. On the plus side, when we were on the road in central and southern Illinois, she frequently stopped to buy us milkshakes from Culver’s — which I hadn’t experienced because there were no Culver’s in the Chicago area at that time — and while in southern Illinois she insisted I try my first Pork Burger (which was delicious, by the way).
But as I said, Corinne was not content to limit herself to the traditional, limited role of Lt. Governor. Among her lasting contributions, as a breast cancer survivor she was a tireless advocate for women’s health and led a statewide campaign to increase funding for breast cancer research through the “A Check for a Cure” Illinois tax return check-off. She also led the charge to enact “Scott’s Law,” legislation increasing penalties for motorists who injure or kill a firefighter, police officer or other emergency personnel responding to an accident.
Corinne also opened my eyes to the double-standard for women in public office, which requires them to work twice as hard as their male colleagues while receiving half the recognition. She reminded me of that line about dancer Ginger Rogers doing everything that her partner Fred Astaire did, only backwards and in high heels.
May you dance forevermore, Corinne. Like so many others across Illinois, I was blessed to have crossed paths with you and I mourn your passing — but I will never forget you and how your leadership made a difference every day. Godspeed, my friend.
- Louis G Atsaves - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 10:37 am:
I and my wife walked precincts with her when she first ran for office as a State Representative. Worked with her on all her campaigns including Lt. Governor and Governor. Remarkable lady who will be sorely missed and in many respects, unappreciated.
- Pizza Man - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 11:15 am:
Thank you for sharing @ Chitowndrummer! It’s nice to gain a more in-depth story from current or (former staff) who had the opportunity to work closely with the elected official.
- Practical Politics - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 11:57 am:
Although her years of service in elected office were brief (one term as a legislator and one term as Lt. Gov.), Wood was highly visible and did make an impact.
In comparison, her immediate predecessor, former Lt. Governor Bob Kustra was almost an anonymous nonentity. His talk radio gig at WLS did nothing to raise his public profile. I can recall his dining alone in a hotel restaurant and nobody in the room recognized Kustra.
- Snarkie from Schaumburg - Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 4:57 pm:
One of my favorite Republicans, I wish we had more like her today.
On a personal note, she made it possible for me to see U2, Bob Dylan, and CNSY from a private suite at the United Center. But that’s a story to share during the State Fair.