Lightford to Rauner: Stop letting zip codes determine the quality of our children's education

• Education Funding Reform

SPRINGFIELD- Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement after the Senate approved education funding reform legislation:

“I am thrilled that this landmark reform has passed both chambers. This measure is about equity and the right to a quality education. I urge the governor to take our children out of politics and stop letting zip codes determine the quality of their education.”  

Lightford: Give Illinois workers the raise they have been waiting for

• Minimum Wage

SPRINGFIELD — Minimum-wage earners statewide could soon see a pay increase as a result of legislation that raises the minimum wage to $15 by January 2022. Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford spearheaded efforts that would give hardworking families a much-needed raise.

“People working full time should earn a living wage,” said Lightford, a Maywood Democrat “We want our workers to be able to support their families, have financial independence and be able to contribute to the state’s economy.”

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Lightford: Lottery dollars should serve as a supplement to education

SPRINGFIELD — When the Illinois Lottery was established, its purpose was to provide extra revenue for schools, but those funds have been often used to replace funds from other sources. Reliance on lottery revenue to fund local schools could soon come to an end under a proposal that was approved in the Senate today.

House Bill 213, led by Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), ensures that any money transferred to the Common School Fund from the State Lottery Fund shall serve as a supplement, not a replacement for, any other money due to the Common School Fund.

“It is time we used lottery money as it was intended,” Lightford said. “Our school system is underfunded, and we cannot continue to allow our children to lose out on vital resources they need for success.”

Currently, 24 percent of lottery ticket revenue is deposited into the Common School Fund. In fiscal year 15, that amount was $679 million of the total $2.85 billion in lottery sales.

The measure will now head back to the House on concurrence.

Sen. Lightford and Manar hold School Funding Virtual Town Hall

• Education Funding Reform