The Honorable Patti Bellock

Patti Bellock has dedicated her public service career to ensuring access to quality health care for Illinois’ most vulnerable population and making the state’s health care and delivery systems more efficient and effective. She’s been nationally recognized for her role in establishing major healthcare reforms and improvements. Director Bellock spent 20 years as a state representative in the Illinois General Assembly, serving as a member of two Medicaid-related groups to move legislation forward, approving the Hospital Assessment and the Omnibus Medicaid bill. She was the first woman Deputy Minority Leader in the history of Illinois. As Director of the IL State Medicaid and Child Support Agency in the Illinois Health Care and Family Services, Ms. Bellock worked on healthcare legislation and public policy issues throughout the United States. She initiated Better Care Illinois, the state’s landmark 1115 Medicaid waiver and sponsored legislation on medical reform, disabilities and health care, as well as directed and reformed the child support systems. One of Ms. Bellock’s signature achievements in the General Assembly was the landmark Save Medicaid Access and Resources Together (SMART) Act, which reformed the Illinois Medicaid System. She also worked on bills regarding mental health parity, MRSA infection control and the Amber Alert system, winning her awards from over 30 organizations. Ms. Bellock is proud of her rich Chicago roots, as the great granddaughter of Charles Comisky, the founder of the Chicago White Sox. In her free time, Ms. Bellock spends time with her grandchildren, family and friends, volunteers on various Boards, develops women leadership programs, speaks at national conferences and universities, and attends sporting events.