I helped spearhead the effort for Senate Resolution 37 to officially designate February 28 as Black Women's History Month in Illinois. This date intentionally connects the nationally recognized Black History Month in February with Women's History Month in March. This connection emphasizes the unique intersectionality of being both Black and a woman.

Know your options before choosing your next driver’s license or state ID card! Beginning May 7, Illinois residents who fly domestically will be required to use a valid U.S. passport or obtain a REAL ID. Visit REALID.ilsos.gov to figure out what option is right for you and book your appointment.

CHICAGO – Following a multi-year implementation period, the state’s minimum wage will reach $15 per hour on Jan. 1, thanks to steadfast advocacy from Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford.

“As a state, we have helped countless workers make ends meet, reduce financial stress, and provide a more solid foundation for their futures,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “The $15 minimum wage is a testament to our commitment to economic justice and our belief that everyone who works full time deserves a living wage.”

Lightford led a law in 2019 to put the state on the path to a $15 per hour minimum wage by 2025. The minimum wage was raised from $8.25 to $10 in 2019. Each year after, on Jan. 1, the minimum wage increased by $1 – putting it at $15 come Jan. 1, 2025. Additionally, the youth minimum wage rate will raise to $13 per hour.