Corinne Gieseke Wood (néeGieseke; 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.
Wood 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]
In 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
As 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]
Corinne was married to Paul Wood. They had three children.[8]
Death
Corinne 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]
