CHICAGO – Chicago’s July 4th holiday was once again afflicted by gun violence across the city, including 7-year-old Natalia Wallace and 14-year-old Vernado Jones. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement in reaction to the devastating events that took place.

“I have dedicated my career to the idea that every child deserves a quality education, a transformative tool they can use to better themselves. Then, tragedies like the killings of Natalia Wallace and Vernado Jones happen, and we are once again facing the dark reality that our children are not safe enough to benefit from any education.

“However, it has become far too easy to just blame the individuals who shot the murder weapon. The problem we are facing is much larger. This violence is used to paint Black people as inherently bad, when the government has failed to address inequities facing impoverished, neglected and deprived communities.

“It takes a miracle to pull yourself up by your bootstraps when you are working against the weight of every system in our country. Our current movement is about recognizing that, and in the memory of children like Natalia and Vernado, let’s do something about it.”

SPRINGFIELD – After Sergeant Javier Esqueda blew the whistle on the death of Eric Lurry in Joliet police custody, he was stripped of his badge and put on administrative leave. Esqueda made local officials aware that a video of Lurry’s death in January had been withheld from the public for the past five months. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) reacted with the following statement.

“Sergeant Esqueda is being punished for being a good officer by holding the Joliet police department accountable for the death of Eric Lurry. It sends the message that police departments are not open to reform, and any officer that goes against the code of silence will be reprimanded.

“There is no room for policing that is not focused on the healing and wellbeing of our communities. We should be encouraging officers to stand up the way Sergeant Esqueda did because no one should have to compromise their morals to keep their job, especially not a job meant to protect the public.”

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined Timothy Christian Superintendent Matt Davidson to discuss her legislative career and thoughts on education issues.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) and the Illinois State Board of Education announced Wednesday that funding is available for the Child and Adult Care Food Program for Fiscal Year 2021. The program helps child care centers, Head Start programs, before- and after-school, emergency shelters and day care home providers by providing funding to offer healthy meals to children.

“Our children’s wellbeing continues to be a priority as we continue to face the current pandemic,” Lightford said. “This program will continue to provide thousands of children with healthy meals that may not be available at home.”

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic has caused even more families to depend on federally funded nutrition programs. More than 1,000 child care centers across Illinois will be able to provide children with healthy meals.

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