CHICAGO (WICS) — Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton will embark on a three-day tour of Southern and Central Illinois.

She will be stopping in Bloomington, Springfield, Murphysboro, Carbondale, and Vienna.

The trip highlights Lt. Governor Stratton’s commitment to uplifting communities across the state, driven by her role as Chair of the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council.

"Every Illinois community possesses unique assets, challenges and opportunities which is why engaging with residents where they are is so important," said Lt. Governor Stratton. "Carbondale’s needs are different from Peoria’s and Chicago’s; it’s essential that leaders spend time understanding the complexity and diversity of our state so we can move forward together as a whole.”

The Lt. Governor will begin her tour in Bloomington on Wednesday, addressing the Statewide Building and Construction Trades at the IBEW Hall, followed by the commemoration of the 1908 Race Riot site in Springfield. The commemoration ceremony will establish the site as a national monument, highlighting the importance of remembering and learning from our history.

Continuing her travels through the state Thursday, Lt. Governor Stratton will visit Murphysboro to announce grants awarded through the DRA’s States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP). SEDAP provides direct investment into community-based and regional projects that create jobs, build communities, and improve lives. Lt. Governor Stratton will then meet with mayors of Southern Illinois communities receiving SEDAP funds.

In Carbondale, the Lt. Governor will meet with the Black Chamber of Commerce of Southern Illinois to discuss support for minority-owned businesses and strategies to promote economic growth in the region. She will also visit Labors Local 773 to learn about their innovative College Grant Apprenticeship Program.

The tour will continue Friday in Vienna, where Lt. Governor Stratton will deliver remarks at the One Shawnee Summit hosted by Vienna High School. This event will connect government, non-profit, and community leaders to build capacity for positive change in the region. The Lt. Governor will also take time to meet with Vienna High School students.

Finally, the tour will conclude with a visit to Clyffe Cafe in Vienna, a unique program providing vocational training for individuals with disabilities. Throughout her travels, Lt. Governor Stratton aims to highlight the diverse entrepreneurial spirit that drives the Southern Illinois economy, with a particular focus on women-owned businesses.