Corinne Gieseke Wood (née Gieseke; May 28, 1954 – May 18, 2021) was an American politician who served as the 44th lieutenant governor of Illinois from 1999 to 2003.[1] She previously served as a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1997 to 1999.[2] She was the first woman to become Illinois' lieutenant governor.
Corinne Wood | |
|---|---|
| 44th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois | |
| In office January 11, 1999 – January 13, 2003 | |
| Governor | George Ryan |
| Preceded by | Bob Kustra |
| Succeeded by | Pat Quinn |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 59th district | |
| In office January 10, 1997 – January 10, 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas F. Lachner |
| Succeeded by | Mary Beattie |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Corinne Joyce Gieseke May 28, 1954 Barrington, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | May 18, 2021 (aged 66) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Paul Wood |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | |
| Profession | Attorney |
Early life
editCorinne Gieseke was born on May 28, 1954, in Barrington, Illinois. Gieseke graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois and a Juris Doctor from Loyola University. After graduation, Gieseke was named general counsel to the Illinois Commissioner of Banks and Trusts, later joining the Chicago law firm Hopkins & Sutter.[3]
Illinois House of Representatives
editWood was elected as state representative to the 59th district in 1996.
While in the House, Wood served on the Aging, Appropriations-Education, Financial Institutions, and Labor & Commerce committees, as well as the Legislative Research Unit.[2]
1998 Illinois gubernatorial election
editIn March, Ryan and Wood won their Republican primary elections, with Wood unopposed for lieutenant governor. In November, the Ryan/Wood ticket won the general election with 51% of the vote. Wood was sworn in as lieutenant governor on January 11, 1999.[4]
Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
editAs Lieutenant Governor, Wood was a frequent advocate across Illinois on several prominent issues, including rural affairs, economic development, and women's health. In December 1999, Wood gained national prominence for leading an internet campaign against Abercrombie & Fitch for sexually provocative pictures in the catalog, pushing for a boycott and letter-writing campaign.[5][6]
She also launched a statewide campaign to increase funding for breast cancer research through the "A Check for a Cure" Illinois tax return check-off when she first entered office.[3]
2002 gubernatorial campaign
editIn 2002, Wood sought the Republican nomination for governor of Illinois. Her fellow GOP contenders were attorney general Jim Ryan and state senator Patrick O'Malley. She ultimately lost the primary, finishing third with around 27% of the vote.[7]
Personal life
editCorinne was married to Paul Wood. They had three children.[8]
Death
editCorinne battled breast cancer in the late 1990s and announced that she was resuming treatment in January 2006.[9] She died after a 15-year battle with the disease on May 18, 2021, aged 66.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Illinois Blue Book 2003-2004" (PDF). Illinois Secretary of State. p. 468. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 8, 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ a b "Illinois Blue Book 1997-1998". Illinois Secretary of State. p. 100. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ a b "Illinois Blue Book 1999-2000" (PDF). Illinois Secretary of State. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 15, 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ "Election Vote Totals Results". February 22, 2020. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Tribune, Chicago (June 16, 2001). "Politician's Web site blasts Abercrombie". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Join Lieutenant Governor Corinne Wood in her boycott against Abercrombie & Fitch". Archived from the original on June 23, 2001.
- ^ "Election Vote Totals Results". February 22, 2020. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Miller, Rich (May 19, 2021). "Corinne Wood". Capitol Fax. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ The State Journal-Register. "Former state official to fight cancer again". January 18, 2006