Lightford announces recipients Lead Service Line Replacement grants

• Grants
• IEPA
• Lead Service Line Replacement
• Fresh Water

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford is happy to announce that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has awarded grants to 48 communities in need of lead service line replacements, including a $50,000 grant to Melrose Park.

“This program will support communities with the necessary fund to identify and map out the types of water lines that exist in their drinking water supply,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “By creating a full inventory of our lead lines in Illinois, we can target areas where replacements are needed most, and continue to work with communities to improve drinking water across the state.”

Melrose Park distributes water to six different public water systems in the area which include Bellwood, Maywood, Stone Park, Northlake, Hillside Berkeley Water Commission, and Leyden Township Water District.

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Lightford hopeful with commitment to fund early education and assist marginalized communities

• Budget
• Video
• Education
• Early Childhood

SPRINGFIELD - In response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget address today, State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) issued the following statement:

“We need to make education more of a priority in Illinois and after hearing Gov’ Pritzker’s proposed budget follow through on education support for Illinois families, I am hopeful for the future of our students.

“Children’s destinies begin at birth, making it vital that education is prioritized from then until college. As a General Assembly, we will do what is right by the people of Illinois and continue to fight for equitable funding and access to education. I share in the governor’s enthusiasm for providing our youth with greater opportunities for success – from investing in early childhood education to ensuring our schools are fully funded.

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Legislative leaders, governor announce support of guaranteed paid leave for workers

• Guarantee paid leave
• Illinois Workers
• Employers
• SB 208

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker, House Speaker Pro Tempore Jehan Gordon-Booth and Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford issued a joint statement Tuesday supporting legislation that will guarantee paid leave for all Illinois workers:

“Whether it’s dealing with a sudden family illness or an emergency auto repair, sometimes life gets in the way of work. Paid leave will have a significant, positive impact on the lives of residents across our state, and underscores our commitment to uplifting working families. We appreciate the work put into this from all stakeholders, including business and labor, to bring us to this moment.”

Key components of Senate Bill 208 include:

• All employers will be required to provide their employees with a minimum of 40 hours (or five days) of paid leave per year to be used for any reason. Employers may choose to offer more paid leave time.

• A worker would begin to earn paid leave on their first day of their employment at a rate of one hour of leave for every 40 hours worked.

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Senate Majority Leader Lightford sworn in for 25th year in the General Assembly

• 4th Senate District
• Legislature
• Senate Majority Leader

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford was sworn in Wednesday for a new term in the Illinois General Assembly, marking the beginning of her 25^th year in the legislature.

She released the following statement after taking the oath of office:

“When I think back on the time I’ve served in the General Assembly, I think of the lives that have been changed because of the steadfast action we have taken to make Illinois a better, more inclusive and equitable state – especially for young children.

“We have passed a nation-leading equitable funding model to ensure schools are fairly funded, led the charge to give Black children opportunities for brighter success, and encouraged more minority individuals to become teachers. We have worked tirelessly to give every single child in Illinois the opportunity they deserve – and that will remain true in my future years in office.

“It is an honor to continue serving the residents of the 4^th Senate District – the possibilities of what we can accomplish in the years to come is steadfast and immense.”

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