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SPRINGFIELD – Nearly five years ago, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford made history when she championed legislation making Juneteenth an official Illinois state holiday. As the state marks that milestone anniversary, she is renewing her call for residents to celebrate the day and reflect on its profound meaning.

Lightford spearheaded House Bill 3922 in 2021, enshrining June 19 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day – a state holiday and a recognition that Black history is American history. This year, she is building on that legacy by encouraging communities across Illinois to honor the holiday's roots and its ongoing relevance.

“Juneteenth being a state holiday reminds us that freedom and racial equality have always been a hard-fought battle for Black Americans,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This day gives everyone an opportunity to celebrate Black culture, Black achievements and learn more about Black history.”

The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation – more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed it in 1863, freeing the last enslaved people in the United States.

Over the past five years, Juneteenth has grown far beyond the celebration of emancipation, evolving into a statewide and national tribute to Black arts, culture and the enduring legacy of the civil rights movement.

“The struggle for our people to achieve full equity in Illinois and across the nation continues still to this day,” Lightford said. “Juneteenth recognizes our accomplishments, our achievements and our culture, and reminds us that our fight is not over.”

For a full list of Juneteenth events in the communities Lightford represents, click here.  

SPRINGFIELD – Following years of tireless advocacy, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford passed a sweeping measure that brings comprehensive regulation to Illinois' hemp marketplace and makes long-sought improvements to the state's cannabis laws for patients, small businesses and social equity licensees.

"For years I have fought to bring order, equity and commonsense to these markets — and today, working hand in hand with our colleagues in the House, we delivered,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This bill is about protecting people, keeping promises and making sure Illinois remains a national leader.”

Senate Bill 3222 would establish mandatory licensing and uniform standards for CBD manufacturers while creating a responsible transition path for hemp businesses entering the licensed cannabis market, with at least 45 infuser licenses reserved for social equity applicants.

On the cannabis side, possession limits would be doubled and the minor offense threshold would rise from 30 to 60 grams, making more Illinoisans – especially from communities harmed by past drug enforcement – eligible for automatic expungement. Small operators earning under $50,000 would see license renewal fees waived entirely, with a 50% reduction for those earning up to $750,000, lowering barriers for independent and equity-owned businesses.

The measure also would mandate 50% of all cannabis transport move through Social Equity Transporters, embedding equity requirements directly into the supply chain rather than treating them as an afterthought.

“Together, these changes formalize the hemp market, modernize cannabis operations and lower barriers for both patients and smaller operators,” said Lightford. “I am grateful to my House partners for their dedication to this legislation, and I am proud that Illinois is once again showing the nation what responsible, equitable policy looks like.”

Senate Bill 3222 passed the Senate Sunday and now heads to the governor for final consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement in response to the passage of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget:

“I was proud to stand in support of a budget that makes strategic investments into early childhood education and after school programs, and continues our promise of the evidence based funding model – ensuring every student has access to quality resources and opportunities. This is a spending plan that shows a child’s education journey starts the moment they are born.

“However, as a state, we must remember it doesn’t end the moment they graduate high school. I am disappointed by the lack of commitment to fund our higher education systems in a more fair and equitable way. Education isn't just one stage of life. It's a continuum – from early childhood through college and beyond. We need to fund it that way – which is why I will fight for the higher education equitable funding model throughout the summer and next session.”

SPRINGFIELD – Following years of steadfast advocacy and negotiations, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is leading Senate Bill 20 – a measure that brings critical consumer protections to Illinois’ hemp-derived CBD marketplace.

“From protecting a grandmother buying CBD oil for arthritis, to making sure a social equity transporter can build a real business, to guarding underage youth from harmful products — this bill is simply about people,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Effective regulation is about safeguarding public health and fostering a sustainable, trustworthy market.”

Senate Bill 20 would address two related areas: hemp-derived CBD products and medical/recreational cannabis in Illinois. On the hemp side, it would create a new regulatory framework requiring businesses that sell CBD products to register with the Illinois Department of Revenue, while capping THC content at 0.3% by dry weight or 0.4mg per container. It also would carve out a transition pathway for businesses currently selling intoxicating hemp products to move into the licensed cannabis market, with up to 150 new infuser licenses issued in two rounds — the first reserved exclusively for social equity applicants.

The cannabis provisions focus heavily on expanding access and reducing friction for both patients and businesses. Medical patients could shop at any participating dispensary statewide, use telehealth to get prescriptions and send designated caregivers to pick up on their behalf. Possession limits for all Illinois residents would be doubled, and the threshold for what would count as a minor offense is raised from 30 grams to 60 grams of flower, making more people eligible for automatic expungement. Dispensaries also would get operational upgrades — extended hours until 2 a.m., the ability to offer drive-through and curbside pickup, and the relief from mandatory third-party security contracts.

The measure also contains several business-friendly and equity-focused measures. License renewal fees would be waived or reduced for lower-revenue operators, local governments would get more flexibility around dispensary proximity rules, and a new Transfer Storage Site system would give independent cannabis transporters more logistical options — with a requirement that half of cannabis moved through those sites involves social equity transporters.

“Together, the changes represent a broad effort to formalize the hemp market, modernize cannabis operations, and lower barriers for both patients and smaller operators,” said Lightford. “I appreciate the passionate conversations I have had with advocates, stakeholders and my colleagues that have led us toward a nation-leading, equitable hemp and cannabis measure.” 

Senate Bill 20 was heard in the Senate Executive Committee. It awaits consideration before the full Senate.