Juliana Stratton
Stratton in 2023
48th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 14, 2019
Governor JB Pritzker
Preceded by Evelyn Sanguinetti
63rd Chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association
In office
2022–2023
Preceded by Mike Foley
Succeeded by Adam Gregg
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 5th district
In office
January 11, 2017 – January 2, 2019
Preceded by Kenneth Dunkin
Succeeded by Lamont Robinson
Personal details
Born Juliana R. Wiggins
(1965-09-08) September 8, 1965 (age 60)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Party Democratic
Spouse(s)
William Stratton
​
(div. 2016)​

Bryan Echols
Children 4
Education
  • University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (BS)
  • DePaul University (JD)

Juliana R. Stratton (née Wiggins; born September 8, 1965) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the 48th lieutenant governor of Illinois since 2019. A progressive member of the Democratic Party,[1] she was elected in 2018 and 2022 on a ticket with Governor JB Pritzker.

Stratton previously served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019. She is the fourth woman[a] and first African-American woman to serve as lieutenant governor of Illinois.[2] In April 2025, Stratton announced her candidacy for the United States Senate seat held by Dick Durbin in the 2026 election. She won the Democratic nomination in March 2026, defeating U.S. representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Robin Kelly and seven other minor candidates.[3][4]

Early life and education

Juliana Wiggins was born in Chicago on September 8, 1965.[5] She was raised in the Pill Hill neighborhood on the city's South Side. Her father, Henry Wiggins, was a radiologist and her mother, Velma Wiggins, was a teacher who worked in Chicago Public Schools and the City Colleges of Chicago.[6][7][8] She attended Kenwood Academy,[7] and earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1987.[9][10] She returned to Chicago after graduating to work as a video producer for the city government.[6] She later attended law school and earned a Juris Doctor from DePaul University in 1992.[9][10]

Early career

In 1997, after a stint in private practice as a lawyer, Stratton started her own consulting firm, JDS Mediation Services, focused on mediation and alternative dispute resolution.[11][6][10] She served as an arbitrator, legal hearing commissioner, and administrative law judge for several government agencies, including the City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, Office of Administrative Hearings, and Commission on Human Relations.[11][10]

From 2011 to 2014, she served as Executive Director of the Cook County Justice Advisory Council,[6][10] a body charged with coordinating and implementing criminal justice reform efforts for the Cook County Board President.[12] From 2015 to 2017, she was the Director for the Center for Public Safety and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago.[13][10] She was also a founding board member of the Chicago's Children's Advocacy Center and served on the Board of Directors of the Juvenile Protective Association.[11]

Illinois House of Representatives

In 2016, Stratton challenged Ken Dunkin for the 5th district seat in the Illinois House of Representatives. Dunkin had faced criticism from fellow Democrats for holding out support on bills that would have reversed changes made by Republican Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to social service programs.[14] Stratton received an endorsement from President Barack Obama,[15] as well as support from several unions due to her support for "child care, labor, and home care".[16]

In the primary election March 2016, she defeated Dunkin decisively, with 68% of the vote.[16] The race was one of the most expensive in the Illinois House, with a total of $6 million in contributions for the candidates.[11][17][18]

By August 2017, she had led 25 bills, with nine appearing before Governor Bruce Rauner, and served on several committees.[16]

Lieutenant Governor of Illinois

Stratton with Pritzker in 2018

On August 9, 2017, Stratton was announced as J. B. Pritzker's running mate in the 2018 gubernatorial election.[19] She cited early childhood education and women's reproductive rights as two of her priorities,[16] with criminal justice reform as another.[7]

As of November 7, 2018, she was elected to the position of Lieutenant Governor of Illinois with her and Pritzker defeating Republican incumbents Bruce Rauner and Evelyn Sanguinetti.[2] Accordingly, she resigned from the Illinois House of Representatives effective December 31, 2018.[20]

Since taking office, 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.[21][failed verification]

In July 2021, Pritzker and Stratton announced that they would both be running for re-election in 2022.[22] On November 8, 2022, Pritzker and Stratton won re-election, defeating Republican challengers Darren Bailey and Stephanie Trussell.[23] They began their second term on January 9, 2023.[24]

2026 U.S. Senate candidacy

Further information: 2026 United States Senate election in Illinois

In April 2025, Stratton announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate after incumbent Senator Dick Durbin announced he would not seek re-election.[25] She was endorsed by Pritzker[26] and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.[27]

Stratton was noted in national press as one of several Black women running for US Senate in 2026, including Robin Kelly of Illinois, Jasmine Crockett of Texas, Pamela Stevenson of Kentucky and Catherine Fleming Bruce of South Carolina.[28][29]

Stratton won the Democratic primary on March 17, 2026, defeating a crowded primary field including U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Kelly, and will face Republican Don Tracy in the general election.[30]

Personal life

Stratton is married and is the mother of four daughters. She lives in Bronzeville. She first married William Stratton, with whom she had three children; they divorced in 2016. She married Bryan Echols, who has one child.[31] She cites her hobby of running marathons and triathlons as giving her the discipline needed for the rigors of campaigning.[16] In Chicago, she is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,[32] and the city's chapter of Jack and Jill of America.[33] Stratton was among the first customers to purchase cannabis when Illinois began recreational sale of the drug on January 1, 2020.[34]

See also

  • List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States
  • Black women in American politics

Notes

  1. ^ The previous women to serve as lieutenant governor were Corinne Wood, Sheila Simon, and Evelyn Sanguinetti.

References

  1. ^ Tribune (TNS), Rick Pearson and Dan Petrella-Chicago (January 26, 2026). "Juliana Stratton takes progressive lane, only one who calls for abolishing ICE in Democratic US Senate debate". Union-Bulletin. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  2. ^ a b #TeamEBONY (November 7, 2018). "Rhodes Scholar Antonio Delgado is Headed to Congress". EBONY. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  3. ^ Sfondeles, Tina (April 24, 2025). "Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton becomes first major Democrat to launch Senate bid to replace Durbin". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  4. ^ Chidi, George (March 18, 2026). "Juliana Stratton wins Illinois Democratic Senate primary race". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  5. ^ "Juliana Stratton: Candidate for Illinois Lieutenant Governor". WTTW. October 9, 2018. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d Schoenburg, Bernard (December 26, 2018). "Stratton bringing love of mediation to lieutenant governor's office". Herald-Review.com. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c "Meet Juliana - JB Pritzker for Governor". JB Pritzker for Governor. October 1, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  8. ^ "Velma Wiggins Obituary (1936 - 2018) | Eldorado, Illinois". echovita.com. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  9. ^ a b "City Club of Chicago: J.B Pritzker & Juliana Stratton". WGN Radio - 720 AM. September 14, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Brack, Naomii (September 28, 2020). "Juliana (Wiggins) Stratton (1965- )". BlackPast.org. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d "Two Illinois primaries test party loyalty - Breeze-Courier". Breeze Courier. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  12. ^ "Justice Advisory Council". www.cookcountyil.gov. April 21, 2025. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  13. ^ "Expert on justice reform leads public safety research center". UIC Today. September 29, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  14. ^ Schuba, Tom; Ahern, Mary Ann (March 7, 2016). "President Obama Endorses Juliana Stratton's Illinois House Campaign". NBC Chicago. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  15. ^ Schulte, Sarah (March 16, 2016). "Stratton beats Dunkin in Democratic primary for 5th District". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  16. ^ a b c d e Datcher, Mary L. (August 31, 2017). "Juliana Stratton: Pritzker's Running Mate Speaks Out". The Chicago Defender. Archived from the original on September 16, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  17. ^ Cholke, Sam and Jamie Nesbitt Golden (March 15, 2016). "Juliana Stratton Trounces Ken Dunkin In Battle With Madigan-Rauner Ties". DNAinfo.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  18. ^ Lee, Monique Garcia, David Heinzmann, William. "Madigan-backed Stratton defeats incumbent Dunkin in state House race". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved November 7, 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Miller, Rich (August 9, 2017). "Pritzker to pick Rep. Stratton". Capitol Fax. Springfield, Illinois. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  20. ^ Hollman, John (Clerk of the House) (ed.). "Resignations and Appointments" (PDF). Journal of the Illinois House of Representatives. 100 (152). Illinois House of Representatives: 9–11. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  21. ^ White, Jesse (ed.). "Official Portraits & Biographies". Illinois Blue Book 2021-2022 (PDF). Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  22. ^ Cantu, Deanna (July 19, 2021). "Governor JB Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton will run for re-election in 2022". Heart of Illinois. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  23. ^ "Illinois Election Results". Chicago Tribune. April 2, 2024.
  24. ^ "Photos: Pritzker sworn in for second term". pantagraph.com. January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  25. ^ Ahern, Mary Ann; Schmidt, Rose; NBC Chicago Staff (April 24, 2025). "Who will replace Dick Durbin in US Senate? Familiar Democrat launches bid". NBC Chicago. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  26. ^ Korecki, Natasha (April 25, 2025). "Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to endorse for Senate, lending his political muscle – and likely some resources". NBC News. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  27. ^ "Tammy Duckworth endorses Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton for U.S. Senate run". April 29, 2025.
  28. ^ Bossi, Andrea (December 11, 2025). "Meet The 7 Black Women Running For Senate In 2026 — And Why This Year Could Make History". Essence. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  29. ^ Victoria, Kenyatta. "Meet the Black Women Running for Senate Seats in 2026". EBONY. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  30. ^ "2026 Illinois U.S. Senate Primary Live Results". AP News. March 17, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  31. ^ Brack, Naomii (September 28, 2020). "Juliana (Wiggins) Stratton (1965- )". Black Past. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  32. ^ "Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton". Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  33. ^ "Juliana Stratton, Illinois 2016 primary election". Sun-Times 2018 primary candidate questionnaires. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  34. ^ Jaeger, Kyle (January 1, 2020). "Illinois Lieutenant Governor Buys Marijuana On State's First Day Of Legal Sales". Marijuana Moment. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
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