SPRINGFIELD- Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement following the override of Governor Bruce Rauner’s veto of legislation that would provide equity in the way the state funds education:

“For decades students have suffered under a broken formula that shortchanged low income children throughout the state. The governor’s veto fell far from our goal of making a quality education a reality for every child in Illinois.

Our schools need the proper investment and certainty that Senate Bill 1 provides. I stand committed to making sure our schools stay open and fixing our broken funding formula.”

Read more ...

SPRINGFIELD- Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement after Governor Bruce Rauner amendatory vetoed legislation that would provide equity in the way the state funds education:

“It comes as no surprise that the same person who was willing to mindlessly veto an entire budget would jeopardize the education of every child in Illinois. Governor Rauner has chosen to ignore 20 years of work, and support from school superintendents, principals, teachers, education experts and legislators across the state.  

The governor recognized his changes exceed his authority by suggesting the legislature could simply pass another measure. He is aware his changes are not accomplished through his amendatory veto, and his ultimate goal is to reopen budget negotiations to create more chaos.

Our children’s education risks disruption because the governor does not know how to take a win or a loss, and he is the sole person to blame should our schools fail to open this fall.”

CHICAGO- Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) reacted to comments Governor Bruce Rauner made today claiming that every child from a disadvantaged circumstance can receive a better education under his yet-to-be revealed plan:

“The governor claims he is treating Austin, Englewood and Lawndale the same as Cicero, North Chicago and Rockford in his secret plan. While the details of his plan are unclear, one thing is certain, he wants to take money from Chicago’s children to make his plan more appealing and pit poor communities against each other. And that is wrong.

“I have worked on fixing our education funding formula my entire career, and refuse to let any child get shortchanged on a quality education solely to appease the governor.

“Senate Bill 1 has a hold harmless provision for all school districts because we refuse to give any school less, it funds schools based on need and ensures high poverty districts get the support they desperately need.”

Senator Lightford and the 4th District Women’s Committee hosted the 9th Annual “We Love Our Men” Prostate Awareness for Father’s Day Event. The 4th District Women’s Committee visited about 20 Barbershops. The committee was accompanied by nurses from Loyola and Loretto Hospital.

During the visits to the shops the medical staff was able to educate the community on early detection, risk and treatment of Prostate Cancer. In addition to providing education, there were over 200 gift bags with Prostate Cancer Awareness information and goodies distributed.

The 9th Annual Prostate Awareness Event was wonderful and was well received by the barbershops' owners and clients. Senator Lightford hopes to continue to stay engaged with the community, especially as it relates to sharing valuable information on Prostate Cancer. It's important to continue communicating on this serious health challenge as an effort to decrease the death rate and increase the importance of early detection.