CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) celebrated the governor’s signing of three measures that will provide security and support for undocumented immigrants across Illinois.

“I’m humbled to be a part of legislation that gives immigrants and underserved populations refuge and more opportunities to follow their dreams,” Lightford said. “We welcome those who come to our state looking to take care of their families and break the generational curse of poverty.”

The following legislation was signed into law last week:

• House Bill 2691, which provides access to financial aid for undocumented students, and some groups of transsexual, African American and other students who have limited access to aid.
• House Bill 2040, which bars the state and local communities from entering into contracts for private immigration detention centers.
• House Bill 1637, which bars law enforcement agreements that deputize police to act as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

House Bills 2040 and 1637 are now under effect, while HB 2691 goes into effect on Jan. 1.

SPRINGFIELD – Low-income and immigrant populations across Illinois will soon have access to legal representation under the state’s newly enacted spending plan.

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) spearheaded the investment that was sparked by an initiative presented earlier this session.

“Some of our most vulnerable populations are getting lost in a justice system that is, by design, difficult for them to navigate,” Lightford said. “Providing support for families who need legal services not only serves them, but also keeps us from incarcerating people who could be helped in a different way.”

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CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker signed the state budget and fair tax legislation on Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) reacted with the following:

“After four very long years, it is refreshing to deliver a budget that meets the needs of our state with a disciplined and realistic approach. We prioritized education from early childhood to higher education, and strengthened our safety-net services to provide a hand up to struggling families.

“Also, I am excited to give voters the opportunity to decide whether our state should implement a fair tax, and just as important, provide them a picture of what tax rates would look like if they approve it.”

SPRINGFIELD – To protect women across Illinois’ access to healthcare, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) supported a measure that passed the Senate.

“Women across the country are living in fear that their rights to reproductive healthcare will be stripped away,” Lightford said. “As for Illinois, we are standing up to protect our women and families at a time when the White House has no interest in the wellbeing of women.”

The Reproductive Health Act does the following:

• restricts the State’s ability to deny a person’s reproductive healthcare decision,
• repeals felony and disciplinary penalties imposed on doctors offering abortions,
• prohibits a husband from obtaining an injunction to prevent his wife from having an abortion,
• permits burial or cremation after a miscarriage or abortion, and
• requires insurance companies to cover abortions.

Senate Bill 25 was drafted in response to 20 cases awaiting a hearing before the Supreme Court that aim to weaken or overrule Roe v. Wade. Those cases could be heard during the court’s next term, which begins on October 7.