Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton Tests Positive For COVID-19

CHICAGO — Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19, she announced Thursday.

Stratton, 56, is experiencing mild symptoms, she said in a social media post.

"I’m so relieved to be fully vaccinated and boosted. If you have yet to do so, please get vaccinated, your booster and wear a mask," Stratton said. "I appreciate your prayers and good vibes!"

Stratton, a Chicago native and restorative justice practitioner, was elected to the Illinois House in 2016. The following year, J.B. Pritzker selected her as his running mate and in 2018 she became the state's 48th lieutenant governor.

Her portfolio includes leading the Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative, according to her office's website, as well as chairing the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council, the Military Economic Development Council and the Illinois River Coordinating Council.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there were 30,386 new cases reported Thursday, an all-time high, as cases of the antibody-evading omicron variant supplant the previously dominant delta variant. The state's seven-day rolling average number of new cases rose to 18,321. Its prior peak had been less than 12,400 in November 2020.