This month, Simon has helped promote causes she feels strongly about by attending two Chicago events. This is a mortgage relief project.
Simon, other officials, and state agencies helped homeowners who are behind in payments obtain a 90-day grace period. They also provided information on refinancing, credit counseling, and homeowners' rights.
Two days later, Simon was on-stage at an equal pay rally on April 12. That date is significant because experts say women on average earn only 77 cents for every dollar men earn. So women must work all of 2010, plus through April 12 this year, to earn what men earned last year.
The lieutenant governor is a former assistant state's attorney, Carbondale City Council member, and Southern Illinois University law professor. She's married and has two daughters.
Simon is the daughter of the late congressman and US Senator Paul Simon. And, as he was, she's a longtime friend of Pat Quinn. The governor named her to his Illinois Reform Commission before choosing her as his running mate.
