State of Illinois

These accounts were established to honor the memory and accomplishments of Senator Penny Severns. Penny Severns (1952–1998) was a member of the Illinois Senate who represented the 51st Senate District from 1987 until her death in February 1998. Senator Severns attended SIU Carbondale from 1970-1974, graduating in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations. While in college, at the age of 20, she served as an alternate delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention, the then youngest person elected to serve in that role.

While serving in the Senate, Senator Severns held the position of minority caucus whip. She also served as minority spokesperson of the Revenue Committee and on the Executive Committee and Legislative Audit Commission. She rose to become the senior Democrat on the Appropriations Committee and was the first woman to ever be appointed chief budget negotiator. She was viewed as an advocate for working families, breast cancer awareness and who helped in the preservation of the Dana–Thomas House in Springfield. In 1989, Senator Severns was selected from a nationwide group of legislators to participate as a fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Her work there earned her a position to study public policy with the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Senator Severns passed away in 1998 at the age of 46 due to cancer.