Juliana Stratton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juliana Stratton
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Stratton in 2023
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| 48th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois | |
| Assumed office January 14, 2019 |
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| Governor | JB Pritzker |
| Preceded by | Evelyn Sanguinetti |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 5th district |
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| In office January 11, 2017 – January 2, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Kenneth Dunkin |
| Succeeded by | Lamont Robinson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Juliana Wiggins
September 8, 1965 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
William Stratton
(div. 2016)Bryan Echols |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | |
Juliana Stratton (born September 8, 1965) is an American lawyer and politician. She is currently the Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, a job she has held since 2019. She won elections for this role in 2018 and 2022 alongside JB Pritzker. Before becoming Lieutenant Governor, she was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019. Juliana Stratton is the first African-American woman to serve as Illinois's Lieutenant Governor.
In April 2025, Stratton announced that she would run for the United States Senate in the 2026 election.
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Early Life and Education
Juliana Wiggins was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 8, 1965. She grew up in the Pill Hill neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. Her father, Jack Wiggins, was a doctor who specialized in X-rays, and her mother, Velma Wiggins, was a teacher.
Juliana went to Kenwood Academy for high school. She then earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1987. After college, she returned to Chicago to work as a video producer for the city government. Later, she studied law and earned a Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University in 1992.
Early Career
After working as a lawyer for a while, Stratton started her own company in 1997. This company, JDS Mediation Services, helped people solve disagreements without going to court. She also worked as a judge and hearing officer for various government groups in Chicago.
From 2011 to 2014, she was the Executive Director of the Cook County Justice Advisory Council. This group worked to improve the justice system in Cook County. From 2015 to 2017, she directed the Center for Public Safety and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She also helped start the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center.
Serving in the Illinois House
In 2016, Juliana Stratton decided to run for a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives. She challenged the person who held the seat at the time, Ken Dunkin. Many people supported Stratton because she wanted to help with child care and workers' rights. Former President Barack Obama also supported her.
In the primary election in March 2016, she won against Dunkin with 68% of the votes. This election was one of the most expensive for the Illinois House, with a lot of money spent by both sides. By August 2017, she had helped pass many new laws and served on several important committees.
Becoming Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
On August 9, 2017, it was announced that Stratton would be J. B. Pritzker's running mate for the 2018 election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. She said her main goals were improving early childhood education, protecting women's rights, and making changes to the justice system.
On November 7, 2018, she was elected as the Lieutenant Governor of Illinois along with J. B. Pritzker. They won against the people who were in office at the time, Bruce Rauner and Evelyn Sanguinetti. After winning, she left her position in the Illinois House of Representatives.
Since becoming Lieutenant Governor, Stratton has led several important projects. She leads the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative. She also chairs councils that focus on women and girls, rural affairs, military and economic development, and the Illinois River.
In July 2021, Pritzker and Stratton announced they would run for re-election in 2022. On November 8, 2022, they won their second term, defeating their Republican opponents. They started their second term on January 9, 2023.
Running for U.S. Senate
In April 2025, Juliana Stratton announced her plan to run for the United States Senate. This happened after Senator Dick Durbin said he would not seek re-election. Both Governor Pritzker and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth supported Stratton's decision to run.
Personal Life
Juliana Stratton is married and has four daughters. She lives in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago. She enjoys running marathons and triathlons, which she says helps her stay disciplined. She is also a member of the Chicago Bar Association.
See also
