21 Facts About Juliana Stratton

Juliana Stratton is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 48th lieutenant governor of Illinois since 2019.

Juliana Stratton won the 2018 and 2022 elections for the office on a ticket with JB Pritzker.

Juliana Stratton previously served as a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019.

Juliana Stratton is the first African-American woman and fourth woman overall to become Illinois's lieutenant governor.

Juliana Stratton is a candidate in the Democratic primary for the 2026 United States Senate election in Illinois.

Juliana Stratton's father, Jack Wiggins, was a radiologist and her mother, Velma Wiggins, was a teacher who worked in Chicago Public Schools and the City Colleges of Chicago.

Juliana Stratton attended Kenwood Academy, and earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1987.

Juliana Stratton returned to Chicago after graduating to work as a video producer for the city government.

Juliana Stratton later attended law school and earned a Juris Doctor from DePaul University in 1992.

In 1997, after a stint in private practice as a lawyer, Juliana Stratton started her own consulting firm, JDS Mediation Services, focused on mediation and alternative dispute resolution.

Juliana Stratton was a founding board member of the Chicago's Children's Advocacy Center and served on the Board of Directors of the Juvenile Protective Association.

In 2016, Juliana Stratton challenged Ken Dunkin for the 5th district seat in the Illinois House of Representatives.

Juliana Stratton received an endorsement from President Barack Obama, as well as support from several unions due to her support for "child care, labor, and home care".

Juliana Stratton cited early childhood education and women's reproductive rights as two of her priorities, with criminal justice reform as another.

Since taking office, Juliana Stratton has spearheaded the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative and chairs the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, The Governor's Rural Affairs Council, the Military and Economic Development Council, and the Illinois River Coordinating Council.

In July 2021, Pritzker and Juliana Stratton announced that they would both be running for re-election in 2022.

On November 8,2022, Pritzker and Juliana Stratton won re-election, defeating Republican challengers Darren Bailey and Stephanie Trussell.

Juliana Stratton was endorsed by Pritzker and US Senator Tammy Duckworth.

Juliana Stratton is married and is the mother of four daughters and lives in Bronzeville.

Juliana Stratton cites her hobby of running marathons and triathlons as giving her the discipline needed for the rigors of campaigning.

Juliana Stratton was among the first customers to purchase cannabis when Illinois began recreational sale of the drug on January 1,2020.