Patti Bellock has dedicated her public service career to ensuring access to quality health care for Illinois’ most vulnerable population by making the state’s health care delivery systems more efficient and effective. Her extensive work on Medicaid reform in Illinois has been recognized by many national groups and news media, including the Wall Street Journal.
As a State Representative in the Illinois General Assembly for 20 years, Bellock developed a reputation for her bipartisan, collaborative work. She served as Deputy Minority leader in the House of Representatives as the first woman in Illinois history to be appointed to this position. She also served as the Chief State Budget Negotiator for her caucus.
Her Landmark Legislation, the Smart Act reforming the Illinois Medicaid System, and bills regarding mental health parity, MRSA infection control, and the Amber Alert system, have earned her awards by over 30 major organizations. With a family business background, Bellock advocated on behalf of tax, business, and agricultural groups. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce recognized Bellock’s support of business issues by naming her a Champion of Free Enterprise.
In July of 2018, Bellock was appointed to Governor Rauner’s Cabinet as the Director of the Health Care and Family Services Agency. In her role as Director over 2,000 employees and a 23 billion dollar budget, she continued to effectively lead efforts to improve the managed care system and shepherded approval of the federal Medicaid waiver for programs in mental health and substance abuse.
She has continued to serve on local, state, and national boards addressing issues regarding business, health care, violence prevention, and social services. Bellock served as the Midwest Director and Secretary of the national group, Women in Government in Washington, D.C. and the Co-chair of the Conference of Women Legislators in Springfield, Illinois. She and her family have resided in the Western suburbs of Chicago for over 40 years.