Corinne Wood

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. She previously served as a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1997 to 1999. She was the first woman to become Illinois' lieutenant governor.

Early life Corinne 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.

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.

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.

2002 gubernatorial campaign

In 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.

Personal life Corinne was married to Paul Wood. They had three children. She died after a 15-year battle with the disease on May 18, 2021, aged 66.