ST. LOUIS – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) recently visited Ranken Technical College to learn more about career training opportunities offered at technical schools.

“Traditional four-year universities are not for everyone,” Lightford said. “Technical schools take that understanding and add a viable choice for young people searching for a career path. It was fascinating to see firsthand the type of instruction and career opportunities that are available to young people who enroll in these programs.”

Ranken offers degree and certificate programs in five divisions: automotive, construction, electrical, information technology and manufacturing. Students can use their degrees and certifications to become software developers, information security analysts, mechanical engineers, civil engineers, architects, IT managers, computer network architects and more.

The school offers programs for current or future students, middle or high school students, teachers, counselors and school administrators. Those programs include everything from competitions to summer camps to paid internships that help students and educators further their STEM education.

Senator Lightford has been a longtime advocate for non-traditional educational programs that meet growing economic demands and create paths to success.

MAYWOOD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) visited the West 40’s Proviso Alternative Learning Opportunity Programs (ALOPs) last week. West 40 works with local schools to provide learning opportunities to students in need of extra support.

“The students participating in these programs are incredible, and I am so humbled to have the opportunity to listen to their stories,” Lightford said. “Programs like these change the lives of our children every day, and I applaud the work West 40 and local Proviso schools do for our community.”

West 40 runs five ALOPs serving Proviso Township named HOPE, DREAM, PEACE, Seniors Plus, and the Truants Alternative and Optional Education Program.

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HILLSIDE – To continue efforts in combating the opioid crisis, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) partnered with the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative and the Code 3 Association to bring the RALI CARES educational trailer to Hillside last week.

In 2016, there were 1,947 overdose deaths due to opioids in Illinois, according to the Department of Public Health. From 1999 to 2016, opioid related overdose deaths in the state nearly quadrupled.

“The statistics on overdose deaths are glaring and they call for action against the opioid crisis that is currently affecting every part of our state,” Lightford said. “The RALI CARES trailer is a tool to help parents and guardians identify signs of drug usage, which will help save lives.”

The RALI CARES trailer is an interactive experience, set up as a mock teenage bedroom for families to view possible warning signs of drug abuse or use. As attendees walk through the trailer, law enforcement and experts answer questions and teach participants about warning signs, potential areas of concern and how to talk to children about the issue of opioid abuse.

The trailer was designed with the help of former addicts, as well as parents of addicts, who pointed out location and concealing tactics they used while struggling with their addictions. It serves as a helpful guide in prevention and early warning education.

For more information visit: www.rali-il.org/.

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