Lightford: Budget continues fight against systemic racism

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement after the Senate approved a balanced budget while paying down debt, funds the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus laws to rid Illinois of systemic racism, increases support for small businesses, and funds critical health care services. 

“This budget directs federal resources where they’re needed most to ensure that our working families have greater security and to support our communities as a whole. I’m especially pleased with additional funds for law enforcement training, job training, and economic development grant programs.  

“We worked hard to allocate money for the laws the Black Caucus passed to fight against systemic racism, increase the funding for small businesses in disadvantaged communities, and increased health care upgrades including for individuals who have mental health, behavioral health and substance abuse challenges.”

Chicago's West Side, We Want to Hear From You!

Join Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford on Thursday, June 10 from 6-8 p.m. for a virtual listening session to discuss how poverty has impacted the West Side community and how the state of Illinois can better serve you. To register for the event, click here: https://bit.ly/3fRUrRj. Also, please take a simple survey here: https://bit.ly/3vB2isZ.

Lightford works to protect teen parents and sexual violence survivors

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to keep teen parents and teenage survivors of domestic and sexual violence from dropping out of school, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) passed legislation that would protect their privacy and safety.

“Being a parent is difficult at any age, and surviving domestic or sexual violence is already traumatizing,” Lightford said. “We want all students to feel safe and to get the support they need to succeed with a good education.”

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Lightford moves to create more cannabis dispensary licenses for minority applicants

SPRINGFIELD - With many Black and Brown Illinois residents trying to enter the cannabis industry but finding themselves shut out, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) has revisited cannabis licensing laws to ensure that these residents have a fair shot at obtaining a dispensary license.  

"People from disadvantaged communities were disproportionately targeted during the war on drugs," Lightford said. "We have enough hurdles just being Black, and our communities deserve to reap the benefits of this new industry."

House Bill 1443 fixes Illinois’ recreational cannabis law to ensure that licenses for minority applicants that have been delayed since May 1, 2020 are actually awarded, as well as expanding the total number of licenses available. Currently, there are still no dispensaries controlled by someone who is Black, Brown, or a woman.  

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