Leader Lightford fights to further enshrine abortion access and gender-affirming care in Illinois

• Reproductive Rights
• Gender-affirming care
• Reproductive Health
• Abortion
• HB 4644

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford – a longstanding advocate to protect a person’s right to reproductive and gender-affirming care – supported a measure Tuesday that further enshrines those rights for Illinoisans.

“As a parent of a transgender child, I have seen firsthand the bullying, the pain and the discrimination that places a dark cloud over their lives – not just in social settings, but in health care settings,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Just as it seemed we, as a nation, were getting more accepting – we regressed. We told people their health – their lives – don’t matter. But as a state, we took steps forward. We showed people – all people – that their health needs are worthy and will be protected.”

While Illinois already has some of the most extensive reproductive health laws protecting abortion and gender-affirming care in the country on the books, many neighboring states have fiercely diminished people’s rights and have threatened to intrude upon the rights of people in other states. 

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Grandparents Raising Grandchildren 11th Annual Hall of Fame

Lightford provides backpacks and school supplies for local youth

BROOKFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford hosted the 13th Annual Uplift Our Future free back to school event serving nearly 500 community residents with a fun-filled free day at the Brookfield Zoo. 

“Our goal every year is to ensure every child is prepared and emotionally equipped to learn for the upcoming school year while having a fun day at the zoo,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Regardless of the weather many families still came out, and I thank all the sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and families who weathered the storm with us to ensure we continued to support our future leaders.” 

Since 2009, Lightford has hosted a free Back to School Event for youth and families in the 4th Senate District at the Brookfield Zoo.

The 13th Annual Uplift Our Future Back to School event served youth by ensuring there was no admission fee, no parking fee, no cost for face painting, no cost for kidzone, no cost for child I.D card, no cost for lunch, and no cost for backpacks filled with school supplies for students from Pre-K to College. Lightford also had the honor of partnering with a vendor to provide COVID-19 vaccinations and screenings this year.

Lightford announces nearly $19 million in transportation improvements to come to the Westside and Western Suburbs

MAYWOOD – Kimberly A. Lightford, Illinois Senate Majority Leader, was a lead advocate of the passage of Rebuild Illinois and joins the Illinois Department of Transportation to announce an investment of more than $18 million in transportation improvement projects within the next year.

“A strong transportation system is vital to for economic development and plays a key role in ensuring social well-being and prosperity of our communities,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Our residents depend on these roads and bridges and improving them will enhance their quality of life and environmental sustainability.”

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