Welcome to Senator Kimberly A. Lightford Legislative Website

Lightford: Illinois is sending a clear message that we will not stand for federal immigration operations compromising our residents’ quality of life

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford passed a measure through the Senate to ensure federal immigration detention centers cannot be constructed, operated or located within 1,500 feet of protected locations – such as schools, day care centers, places of worship and private residences.

“Protecting areas where children and families frequent from federal government overreach is imperative for community safety,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Through this measure, Illinois is sending a clear message that we will not stand for federal immigration operations compromising our residents’ quality of life.”

House Bill 5024 comes in light of federal immigration activity and enforcement that began in late 2025 in Broadview – a community Lightford represents – where Illinois’ only immigration detention center is located. Residents and immigrants detained in the Broadview Processing Center recounted inhumane conditions, poor ventilation and cramped cells, as well as civil rights violations, such as a lack of access to lawyers, leading to a plethora of protests led by community members outside the facility.

Lightford’s proposal would prohibit the federal government from operating a new immigration detention center within 1,500 feet of certain locations, including schools, day care centers, cemeteries, public parks, public housing, private residences and places of worship, ensuring the chaos and trauma residents across Broadview faced during Operation Midway Blitz does not occur across other Illinois communities.

“As the federal government continues their attempts to ensue pandemonium in residential and community areas, lawmakers in Illinois are going to take a stand to protect our constituents,” said Lightford. “Our communities are meant to provide us with feelings of support and security, but we cannot ensure the safety of our residents if the federal government can come into our neighborhoods and place detention centers on any available corner.”

House Bill 5024 passed the Senate Monday and heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.

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Lightford: A child’s education journey starts the moment they are born

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.”

Lightford passes landmark hemp and cannabis reform

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.

Lightford leads hemp, adult use cannabis regulation legislation

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.