About the Candidate
Name: Juliana Stratton
DOB: September 1965
Occupation: Lt. Governor of Illinois
Political Experience: 5th District, Illinois House of Representatives (2017-19); chair of the Kenwood Academy Local School Council
Website: JBPritzker.com
Twitter: @JulianaforLG
Facebook: facebook.com/JulianaforLG
Instagram: @Julianaforlg
Candidate Statement
Hi! I’m Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, and I’m running for reelection with my partner-in-governance, JB Pritzker.
In 2018, JB and I promised that we would put Springfield back on the side of working families.
We were conscious of every promise we made back then because we knew it was our responsibility to deliver…and deliver we have.
We’ve ushered in a new era in Illinois where government works for the people, not against them.
We’ve expanded access to affordable health care, education, and childcare because everyone deserves the dignity of being able to care for themselves and their families.
We’ve put our fiscal house in order with the state’s first credit rating upgrades in more than two decades, and we are finally investing much-needed resources in communities across Illinois.
And, JB and I didn’t wait for the United States Supreme Court to strike down Roe versus Wade before we enshrined a woman’s right to choose into state law, and expanded access to reproductive health services.
While other state legislatures and Republican governors attack vulnerable people across this country, JB and I have been committed to the well-being of every Illinoisan.
But we need voters like you on our side to build on the progress we’ve made.
Together, we will ensure that Illinois continues to be a place where working families are uplifted and our shared values are protected — a place where all are welcome and have access to the resources they need to thrive.
There is so much at stake this November.
Living wages, good paying jobs, health care, reproductive rights, and our Democracy. All of that, and so much more, is on the ballot.
I hope you’ll join us in this fight at jbpritzker.com.
Candidate Q&A
Why are you running?
We have made great strides putting state government back on the side of working families –– but there’s still more work to do to safeguard and further our progress. As extreme Republicans like Darren Bailey and Stephanie Trussell wage a war on women and families, Governor Pritzker and I will continue to fight for access to good jobs, livable wages, affordable health care, and women’s reproductive rights. From balancing our budgets to delivering much-needed tax relief, there is so much on the line, and we are eager to continue working on behalf of Illinoisans everywhere to ensure working families can recover from the pandemic fully and thrive.
What does this office do well, and what needs fixing?
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor spearheads multiple initiatives across government. I am grateful to work across several challenging areas, including rural affairs and urban agriculture, women’s rights and advancement, and criminal justice reform, to explore meaningful changes for Illinoisans in every corner of our state.
I chair the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council, the Military Economic Development Council, and the Illinois River Coordinating Council. I led advocacy efforts for groundbreaking legislation requiring Alzheimer's training in health care, and I lead the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity (JEO) Initiative –– which oversees many criminal justice-related agencies and convenes advocates and stakeholders to advance equity-focused policies and practices. In these roles I have successfully grown several first-of-their-kind efforts, such as the JEO Initiative. Making efforts to holistically transform the criminal justice system, create new opportunities for women and girls, and connect all corners of our state to our agriculture sector requires tough conversations, a forward-thinking attitude, and collaboration with a diverse set of stakeholders. I’ve spent my career bringing people together to build consensus and craft solutions, and I believe that state government is uniquely positioned to create lasting opportunities for people who have historically been left behind.
What is the most pressing issue facing your constituents and how do you plan on addressing it?
Many Illinoisans are struggling with the impacts of inflation and the realities of economic insecurity. That’s why I’m proud to be Governor Pritzker’s partner in governance, focused on growing the economy and expanding opportunities for Illinoisans in every corner of the state. We’ve balanced four budgets, raised the minimum wage statewide to $15/hour, giving 1.4 million people a raise, and delivered $1.8 billion in tax relief on gas, groceries, and more. There’s more work to do, but the actions we’ve taken have begun to improve the lives of working families. I’ve worked to create economic opportunities for all Illinoisans, especially women and girls across the state. In my role as Chair of the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, I’ve fought for increased protections to ensure equal pay for equal work. I’m also proud of Governor Pritzker’s actions to address the racial wealth gap through creating a new community development loan program, prohibiting lenders from charging more than 36 percent annual percentage rate on consumer loans, protecting individuals from housing discrimination on the basis of a criminal record, and creating state standards around examining low- and moderate-income lending. If re-elected, we will keep working to improve our economy and lift up Illinoisans of all backgrounds. Our track record of enacting balanced budgets, paying down our debts, and investing in key priorities will serve as a roadmap for continuing to improve the economy, and as long as we’re in office, we’ll continue to make Springfield work for working families.
What specific steps would you take to ensure your office is accessible and responsive to your constituents?
State government must work for all Illinoisans, which is why I’ve prioritized ensuring my office is as accessible as possible. My team can always be reached, and we regularly make efforts to respond to constituents’ questions and concerns. I’ve also traveled throughout the state meeting with stakeholders in the agriculture industry to learn how best to promote their vital work. The Governor’s Office maintains a constituent affairs office that responds to inquiries and makes connections to my office where it can be helpful. I’ve also made significant efforts to advance diversity and equity in my office and beyond, prioritizing the hiring of and my work with women, people of color, and disadvantaged communities across the state.
