Lightford fights to remove expulsion for preschool through second graders

SPRINGFIELD – All too often, students of color feel the brunt of being expelled or suspended from school, rather than being provided restorative approaches to help with their emotional and mental health – a phenomenon Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is fighting to change.

“Our education system has failed many children by simply denying them the opportunity to sit in a classroom,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “We’re continuing to move toward a disciplinary system that prioritizes educating students by keeping them in school.”

Expulsion of students in kindergarten through second grade would not be permitted under Lightford’s measure. Additionally, pre-k through second graders would not be able to be suspended without the principal receiving written or verbal consent from the district superintendent.

Research from the University of Chicago using data from Chicago Public Schools shows that restorative practices are effective in reducing not only suspension and expulsion but also student arrests. As reported by Chalkbeat in 2019, early exclusion from school can trigger “a domino effect of negative interactions between schools and families,” increasing the risk of future exclusions and setting a child on the path of the so-called school-to-prison pipeline.

The measure builds upon Lightford’s previous work – Senate Bill 100 from the 99th General Assembly – which addressed the frequency and racial disparity of suspensions and expulsions by limiting their use, creating policies that re-engage students and avoiding interrupting a student’s learning as much as possible.

“I am tired of seeing our children set up for failure at a young age. Kicking them out of school doesn’t give them what they need to succeed – but our education system can be what changes their course,” Lightford said. “This measure becoming law would be a victory for our entire state and for every child in search of a bright future and an excellent education.”

House Bill 3772 passed the Senate Saturday.

Lightford: $4 million to enhance local transportation options

MAYWOOD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford secured more than $4 million to enhance local transportation options, including the Maywood Prairie Path and Berkeley Taft Avenue Corridor.

“Developing projects like these in our communities ensures we are providing residents with a safe, clean and family-friendly environment to thrive,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “I am proud to support these efforts as they create new opportunities to connect people with the outdoors.”

More than $139.2 million was awarded through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program to expand local travel options and enhance quality of life in communities statewide. The 66 projects approved through the program include bike and pedestrian paths and trails, streetscape beautification, and other projects designed to encourage safe travel across various modes of transportation at the local level.

The Maywood Prairie Path received $2.3 million that will go toward the installation of pedestrian lighting, enhanced crosswalk signage, pedestrian-activated solar-powered flashing beacons, striping improvements, ADA sidewalk ramp improvements, benches, bicycle racks, trees and other decorative landscaping improvements.

The Berkeley Taft Avenue Corridor received $2.4 million for the reconstruction and realignment of the Prairie Path crossing.

These investments are part of the Rebuild Illinois Program. This program is not only the largest capital program in state history but also the first one that touches all modes of Illinois transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

Projects were awarded based on their readiness, connection to transportation networks and other economic drivers, as well as their ability to secure public support and provide public benefits. Additional consideration was given to projects serving areas with higher needs.

View a list of all transportation projects receiving funding here.

Lightford: Resident dumping is a betrayal of trust

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford led the charge to put an end to “resident dumping” – an inhumane practice in which a nursing facility discharges a resident and refuses to readmit them after a hospital stay.

"Resident dumping is a betrayal of trust at life's most vulnerable moment,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Seniors have made these places their sanctuaries, their communities and their final homes. To deny them return is to strip away their belonging, security and dignity when they need it most.”

To strengthen resident rights in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, Lightford’s measure would enhance the involuntary discharge process within these communities. If a resident leaves the facility for a medical reason – and would not create imminent danger to themselves or others – the facility would be required to let them come back home under House Bill 1597. 

“Resident dumping” affects thousands of nursing facility residents who are uninsured or underinsured, have a mental health condition, or have had to spend time in a hospital or rehab facility and find they’re not allowed back into their nursing facility.

“The true mark of a compassionate society is not how we care for the healthy, but how we protect those who depend on us most,” said Lightford.

House Bill 1597 passed the Senate Thursday and heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.

Lightford leads measure to prohibit collection agencies from collecting debt incurred through coercion

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing that financial abuse is a common tactic used by abusers to maintain control over victims, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford led a measure through the Senate to prohibit collection agencies from collecting debt incurred through coercion.

"Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking should not be haunted by debts that were forced upon them during their trauma," said Lightford (D-Maywood). "We must prevent predatory collection practices that can re-traumatize survivors and hinder their path to recovery and independence."

Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking often face economic abuse in the form of a non-consensual credit transaction. This is a common tactic used to control a survivor’s financial freedom and self-sufficiency. Down the road – even if survivors are no longer surrounded by their abuser – they can face further financial trauma when a collection agency gets involved.

To prohibit collection agencies from collecting debt incurred through coercion, Lightford spearheaded House Bill 3352. Under the measure, a victim of coerced debt would not be liable for the debt – but would rather submit a form to a collection agency outlining the debt came from coercion.

“Financial security is essential to breaking cycles of abuse and ensures that survivors aren't pursued for debts they never freely chose to incur,” said Lightford. “This is a positive step toward removing that significant barrier and allowing people to remove themselves from the effects of economic coercion.”

House Bill 3352 passed the Senate Thursday and heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.