Rauner vetoes expansion of program that helps working mothers on Women’s Equality Day

SPRINGFIELD- A proposal led by Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford that would have made child care more accessible to working parents and parents seeking a higher education was vetoed by Governor Bruce Rauner today.

“I’m disappointed that the governor chose to turn his back on parents working to give their children a better life,” Lightford said. “This legislation was meant to empower hardworking people and help them reach self-sufficiency.”

Senate Bill 730 increased the income eligibility threshold for the Child Care Assistance Program to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level in 2016 and 250 percent by 2017. The change would have allowed thousands of families to qualify for the program.

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Lightford: Automatic Voter Registration promotes participation in our democracy

SPRINGFIELD- Legislation that would create a process for eligible voters to be automatically registered was vetoed by Governor Bruce Rauner today.

Senate Bill 250 would allow for the Secretary of State’s office and similar state agencies to submit eligible voters’ information to the State Board of Elections when they visit their facilities for services.

Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement:

“Minority groups throughout our history have fought for the right to vote, and we should be continuing that legacy of promoting participation in our democracy. I will remain in support of this measure and hope to see it come to fruition in the near future.”

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Lightford proposal increasing funds for birth to three education now law

Funding for programs serving children ages birth to three will continue to increase under a proposal that was signed into law today. Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) led efforts to ensure this funding increase would not sacrifice support for other early childhood programs.

Senate Bill 238 requires 25 percent of any increase in funding for early childhood education must go to birth to three programs.

“Educating our children requires us to invest the proper resources to ensure their success,” Lightford said. “We have made great efforts in improving developmental education over the last ten years. This legislation helps us to continue that work and move toward closing under achievement gaps without taking away from other valuable early childhood education programs.” 

Under current law, Early Childhood Block Grant funds directed to programs for children age 0-3 were required to increase to at least 20 percent of all available block grant funding in 2016. Unfortunately, due to lack of funds the increase would have resulted in a loss of funding for programs that serve children aged 3-5.

SB 238 fixes this unintended consequence. The new law is effective immediately.