SPRINGFIELD - Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D - Maywood) issued the following statement today after news that the governor signed House Bill 40, a measure co-sponsored by Lightford that protects a woman's right to choose in Illinois:

“For decades, women have fought for the right to make their own health care decisions without interference. Today, with the signing of House Bill 40, we are guaranteeing this right to all women, regardless of income or socioeconomic status. Endless dedication of time and energy by thousands of women and men have made this goal a reality in Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D – Maywood) released the following statement today after news that Governor Rauner vetoed her proposal that would have guaranteed students receive cursive writing instruction in elementary school:

“The governor’s veto threatens the ability of students to learn a fundamental skill that they will need going through life. Practical benefits, including writing a check, developing a motor skill and even interpreting historical documents like our Constitution, all require using and understanding cursive writing.

“Even with advances in technology that have emphasized more typing and less writing, we cannot give up teaching a skill that students will still need in their lives.”

House Bill 2977 passed the Senate in May and was vetoed by the governor on Friday.

SPRINGFIELD — When the Illinois Lottery was established, its purpose was to provide extra revenue for schools, but those funds have often been used to replace funds from other sources instead of serving as a supplement. Reliance on lottery revenue to fund local schools will soon come to an end under a proposal that was recently signed into law.

House Bill 213, led by Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), ensures that beginning in FY18, money from the lottery that is used to fund schools must serve as an addition to other funds slated for education.

“We recently made a commitment to our students that requires the proper investment to achieve equity in education for all children. This legislation adds to that commitment by ensuring that lottery funds will serve their intended purpose,” Lightford said.

The Illinois Lottery Law requires the entire net proceeds of the Lottery to be used for the support of the State's Common School Fund. Currently, 24 percent of lottery ticket revenue is deposited into the fund. In fiscal year 15, that amount was $679 million of the total $2.85 billion in lottery sales.