SPRINGFIELD – Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined the United Way in releasing their report on Illinois ALICE households – asset-limited, income-constrained and employed.

The report focuses on families living above the federal poverty level, but below the threshold of a basic survival budget of $57,144 for a family of four and $19,212 for a single adult.

“People all over Illinois are struggling to get ahead. We know this intuitively, and we see it in our communities. I see it every day in my west side and west suburban district,” Lightford said. “ALICE allows us to put some real data behind that intuition.”

In Lightford’s district, only 18% of households fall below the poverty line, but many more people than that are unable to afford an unexpected car repair or be able to put anything aside for the future. Those households are much more represented in the more than 47% of households in the 4th Senate District that are ALICE households.

Lawmakers will use the data to help better understand the needs of Illinoisans as they make public policy decisions to help struggling families.

Learn more about ALICE and view the report here: http://unitedwayillinois.org/alice/

SPRINGFIELD—The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus (ILBC) responded to Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget address on Wednesday.

Black Caucus leaders discussed areas within the governor’s budget proposal that specifically affect black communities, including early childhood education, economic development and public safety.

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SPRINGFIELD – Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) responded to Gov. JB Pritzker’s Budget Address Wednesday with the following statement:

“As a career-long advocate for early childhood education, I am excited to hear that Governor Pritzker intends to invest and strengthen programs that support children from birth to age five. Beyond that, he has a plan to invest in all levels of education, suicide prevention and criminal justice.

“The budgeting process is always difficult, but starting with a vision focused on our most vulnerable populations is always a good beginning.”

CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) held a Social Equity Cannabis Workshop Tuesday in partnership with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide technical assistance to those wanting to apply for a transporter, infuser or craft grower license.

The event took place at the Columbus Park Refectory and attracted more than 150 participants.

“One of the major goals in legalizing adult-use cannabis was to ensure underprivileged communities were going to have an opportunity to participate in the industry,” Lightford said. “I am committed to seeing that goal through, and that starts with offering these type of informational events.”

Attendees listened to presentations from Renee Hatcher, director of the Community Enterprise and Solidarity Economy Clinic at The John Marshall Law School, Alma Tello, deputy director for the Office of Minority Economic Empowerment at DCEO, and Tierra Bradford with Accion, an investment firm specializing in underserved entrepreneurs.

Those looking for further support for social equity applicants should contact The Office of Minority Economic Empowerment. The cannabis hotline is 877-221-4403 and the email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Documents and presentations from the event are linked below.

DCEO Cannabis Program Financial Assistance: Social Equity Loan Program Presentation

DCEO Illinois Adult Use Cannabis Craft Grower, Infuser, and Transporter Licenses Handout

DCEO Social Equity Cannabis Loans Handout

UIC John Marshall Law School: IL Cannabis Licensing and Social Equity Applicant Requirements