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Lura Lynn Ryan

Lura Lynn Ryan, First Lady of Illinois and her husband, Governor George H. Ryan, have worked for more than 20 years to fight substance abuse, encourage organ donation, promote Illinois arts and crafts, and preserve the state's rich history and culture. Mrs. Ryan has received numerous awards for her advocacy work in support of alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse prevention programs. In support of Governor Ryan's children's policy agenda, the first lady chairs Futures for Kids www.futures4kids.org, which coordinates the administration's policy and programs aimed at reducing juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, and violence among Illinois youth. Understanding that primary prevention begins with early childhood education, Mrs. Ryan convened the Governor's Task Force on Universal Access to Pre-School to create a blueprint for implementing pre-school for all three and four year-olds. In her ongoing efforts to preserve Illinois history and culture, Mrs. Ryan was the guiding force behind the Made in Illinois catalogue promoting handcrafted items created by the state's finest artisans. As president of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Foundation, she has been instrumental in the planning of this impressive facility currently being built in Springfield, Illinois. Additionally, she serves as a member of the national Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. Presently she is producing a book, which documents the history of the Illinois Executive Mansion, and the families who have lived there.

Appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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