SPRINGFIELD- Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement after veto overrides by the House and Senate enacted a balanced budget in Illinois for the first time in two years:

"For the first time since Governor Rauner took office, Illinois has a full and balanced budget. The General Assembly, as a result of the governor's unwavering stance on non budgetary items and budget veto, was forced into a position where we had to lead or stand idly as our state collapsed. The governor wanted a crisis, but Illinois needed a budget."

SPRINGFIELD- Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement after supporting a number of measures approved in the Senate today that would enact a balanced budget:

“My colleagues and I supported a plan that would give our neediest populations and decimated institutions a fighting chance. Families, our most vulnerable populations and businesses alike need consistency. It is time for Governor Rauner to set aside his political antics once and for all and do what he was elected to do, enact a budget.”

SPRINGFIELD- Chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) held a hearing today to address concerns over a nearly $100 million taxpayer-funded contract to a private company charged with creating online efficiency in state employee health insurance processing.

“In my opinion, this process was rushed. If I would have received one bidder for something of this magnitude I would have wanted to find more or expand the recruitment,” Lightford said.