Lura Lynn Ryan, former First Lady of Illinois has 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 chaired 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 former president of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Foundation, she was instrumental in the planning of this impressive facility in Springfield, Illinois. Additionally, she serves as a member of the national Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.
Appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
