text: who was the first black lt gov of the st of il?   illinois never had a black/african-american governor or lt. governor.  the only first for illinois is having a female lt. governor (corinne g. wood 1999-2003).  jesse white, secretary of state and roland burris, attorney general has/had held the highest position in illinois state government.  roland burris lost the election bid for governor of illinois in 1994