SPRINGFIELD – Because of Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford’s (D-Maywood) efforts to ensure that the people of Illinois understand that Black history is American history, Governor Pritzker signed a law on Wednesday to make Juneteenth National Freedom Day a state holiday on June 19. 

“Making Juneteenth a state holiday is a breakthrough in Illinois history,” Lightford said. “It reminds us that freedom and racial equality have always been a hard-fought battle for Black Americans and gives us an opportunity to celebrate our culture and achievements.” 

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which established that all enslaved people in Confederate states were forever free. In 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed, leading to the name Juneteenth. House Bill 3922 creates a state holiday for Juneteenth National Freedom Day on June 19, which would be a paid day off holiday for all state employees and a school holiday, if June 19 falls on a weekday. 

Read more ...

CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined representatives from the City of Chicago Monday for a Juneteenth flag raising. 

“I’m proud to be a part of the first-ever Juneteenth flag raising in Chicago,” Lightford said. “I hope everyone joins me every June 19 to rejoice in the oldest national celebration of the freedom of all slaves in this country and let it remind us how far our society has come.” 

Read more ...

OAK PARK - Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), who led the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus agenda through the Senate, emphasized the importance of access to quality health care at a press conference centered on the health care and human services pillar of the agenda. 

“The key point is that the quality of health care you receive should not be determined by your race, your income or your address. Quality, affordable health care should be recognized as a right for all,” Lightford said at the press conference.  

Read more ...

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement after the Senate approved a balanced budget while paying down debt, funds the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus laws to rid Illinois of systemic racism, increases support for small businesses, and funds critical health care services. 

“This budget directs federal resources where they’re needed most to ensure that our working families have greater security and to support our communities as a whole. I’m especially pleased with additional funds for law enforcement training, job training, and economic development grant programs.  

“We worked hard to allocate money for the laws the Black Caucus passed to fight against systemic racism, increase the funding for small businesses in disadvantaged communities, and increased health care upgrades including for individuals who have mental health, behavioral health and substance abuse challenges.”