Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) hosted her 10th Annual Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Hall of Fame this week. The event celebrates the often over-looked work that over 280,000 grandparents in Illinois do to raise their grandchildren.

“I started doing the Hall of Fame because there was no support at all for grandparents,” said Lightford. “We just want to provide them with a day that is specifically for their enjoyment, relaxation and entertainment. I want to let them know that I appreciate them for parenting for a second time and caring for their children and families, and not allowing them to become victims of the system.”

Lightford has inducted 267 grandparents into her Hall of Fame. Inductees receive gift bags with home and kitchen supplies to assist with raising their grandchildren. The event also connects grandparents with state resources to help with their responsibilities.

This year's event was featured in the Austin Weekly News: The real unsung heroes? Grandparents raising grandkids

SPRINGFIELD - Teachers who want to appeal their “unsatisfactory” rating will soon have the option to do so under a law sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) that was signed into law on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 1213 requires school districts to work with teachers or union representatives to develop and implement an appeals process for ‘unsatisfactory’ ratings.

“Teachers deserve a fair opportunity to present their case when given an “unsatisfactory” rating,” Lightford said. “This law not only creates an appeals process, it also helps teachers combat possible biases that may exist through the current evaluations method.”

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SPRINGFIELD – To protect consumers from being taken advantage of due to misinformation from alternative retail electric suppliers, Senate Majority Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) led legislation that was signed into law on Tuesday.

“The data clearly demonstrates that alternative suppliers focus their signup efforts on low-income neighborhoods, those where English is a secondary language and communities of color,” Lightford said. “I am proud to stand with Governor Pritzker and Attorney General Raoul to protect our most vulnerable residents from unknowingly signing contracts that will result in rate hikes they cannot afford.”

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CHICAGO – Prison inmates who are required to serve most of their sentences could soon reduce them by successfully completing classes aimed at rehabilitation under a proposal led by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford  (D-Maywood) that was signed into law today.

“Our criminal justice system is in desperate need of reforms that reduce recidivism and promote rehabilitation,” Lightford said. “This law will incentivize education and prepare inmates to re-enter society.”

Currently, individuals sentenced under truth-in-sentencing provisions, who are required to serve 85 percent or 100 percent of their sentence, are ineligible to receive sentencing credit for successful completion of classes with educational, substance abuse, vocational or re-entry focus.

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