Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, Juliana Stratton

Illinois’ 48th Lieutenant Governor, Juliana Stratton, talks with Commissioner Ige about topics that are near and dear to both of them: the Black women’s maternal health crisis, the Birth Equity Initiative, and what the State of Illinois is doing to ensure that women and babies have healthy lives around childbirth. The State of Illinois recently passed the FY25 budget, which addresses years of disinvestment in health and social service programs. It includes funding to assess maternal mortality rates, funds for low-income diaper programs, grants to expand safe and accessible pregnancy support, and more. Visit Family Connects Chicago for free, in-home nurse visits and support for new families: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/onechifam/home/family-wellness/family-connects.html