Governor Ryan Announces New Director of Washington Office

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced Winifred A. Pizzano has been appointed the new Director of the Washington, D.C. office for the State of Illinois. She currently serves as a senior assistant to the governor in the Washington Office representing Illinois to the executive and legislative branches, especially in health and human services.

"Winnie has an excellent understanding of the culture of Washington and the needs of Illinois," Governor Ryan said. "She has worked hard for our state for many years in the field of health and human services and I am very pleased that she has accepted this new challenge and the responsibility it holds."

Ms. Pizzano has worked for the state of Illinois in many capacities. She worked for both Governor Ogilvie and Congressman Robert H. Michel assisting each as a health and human services advisor. She was also the director of the Illinois Emergency Medical Services, a prototype statewide emergency medical services program. Ms. Pizzano has worked in the Ryan administration since February, 2000.

"During the course of the Ryan administration, the Governor's Washington Office has worked with the Congress to bring additional federal money back to Illinois," Ms. Pizzano said. "I look forward to working with the Illinois Congressional Delegation and the Bush Administration to bring even more federal funding to the people of Illinois."

The State of Illinois' Washington, D.C. office is the chief lobbyist for Illinois, and works with all levels of the federal government. Under the Ryan administration, there have been significant improvements in federal funding for Illinois State agencies. Federal expenditures, including federal grants to state and local government, and procurement, increased almost 6 percent or $3.4 billion from Fiscal Year 1999 to Fiscal Year 2000.

Projects and programs that have significantly benefited from this funding and the efforts of the Washington, D.C. office include: the Medicaid intergovernmental transfer amendment; class size reduction funding; increased funding for IDEA; authorization and funding for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum; funding for the Chicago Shoreline, the Stevenson Expressway and Wacker Drive; special funding agreements for METRA, and CTA ; the agreement to disallow federal claims on tobacco settlement funds; and federal support for RIVERS 2020.

Ms. Pizzano has also directed two federal agencies: ACTION, a federal volunteer agency, and the Appalachian Regional Commission. She has worked in many capacities as a consultant. Ms. Pizzano operated her own consulting business prior to joining the Ryan administration.