Gov. JB Pritzker has made his choice for who he'd like to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. Why it matters: Pritzker is the top Democrat in the state, with deep pockets and a firm control of the state party.

The billionaire governor’s backing could help Stratton preempt a long line of statewide political heavyweights jockeying for Durbin’s seat.

Juliana Stratton, who has served as Illinois’ lieutenant governor, has been public about her interest in Dick Durbin’s seat.