Lightford backs grants for childcare providers

• Childcare
• COVID-19

SPRINGFIELD –After hearing concerns from childcare providers about the financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on them, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) made it a priority to ensure funding was available to keep them afloat.

The General Assembly recently approved this year’s budget, contained in Senate Bill 264, which provides funds for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Grant Program for childcare and daycare providers who have had to close their businesses during the current pandemic.

“Childcare providers from across my district reached out to me with concerns about having to permanently close without financial support,” Lightford said. “I went to Springfield with their concerns in mind, and I am glad we were able to drive funds to this important issue.”

Childcare centers are one of the many types of businesses that were widely affected by the closures required during the COVID-19 outbreak. Currently, childcare providers can only operate at a limited capacity to care for children of essential workers.

The grants will be distributed through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity once the program is established and funds are made available.

Lightford: Our budget focuses on those hardest hit

• Budget
• COVID-19

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement after the Senate approved funding for services that will put Illinois on the road to recovery from the health and economic stresses caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“One budget is not going to bring our state back from such a devastating crisis, but what we can do is focus on driving resources to education, social safety nets and small businesses that have been overlooked by other aid programs.

“We were able to fund programs for struggling day cares, provide grants that will offer rent and mortgage relief, minority and small businesses, and increased funding for healthcare services with the goal of reaching those facing the depths of this pandemic.”

Lightford protects workers under new plan headed to the governor

• COVID-19
• Labor

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) led a measure through the Senate Saturday to expand disability benefits for some frontline state employees, protect retail workers from assault, and allow horse racetrack casino, or racino, employees to organize.

“The current pandemic has underlined the need for securing basic rights for working class people with disproportionate infection rates among populations with a high number of essential workers,” Lightford said.

Certain state employees, including firefighters, law enforcement and paramedics, would be eligible for an additional 60 days of paid disability leave if their injury recovery has been hindered by difficulties accessing treatment due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

To recognize the enhanced roles being asked of retail workers, battery of a retail worker would be enhanced to aggravated battery if the worker was performing duties that may include relaying directions for health care or safety, or during a declared disaster or state of emergency due to a public health emergency and for six months after either declaration.

“The recent attacks on retail workers who are trying to enforce new healthcare guidelines are completely repugnant,” Lightford said. “It is unfortunate that we have to put this provision in place to protect individuals who are just trying to keep a roof over their heads.”

Racino employees would have the opportunity to engage in collective bargaining as a requirement for any horse racetrack with more than 10 employees that wants to expand to include a casino.

“Racetrack employees have fought for their rights as workers for years,” Lightford said. “This change gives them an opportunity to have a say in their working conditions, benefits and other issues.”

Senate Bill 471 will now head to the governor’s desk for final approval.

Lightford announces 1.8 million SNAP recipients will be able to purchase groceries online

SPRINGFIELD – SNAP recipients will be able to purchase food from participating grocery stores online, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lighford (D-Maywood) announced Thursday.

“It’s important to keep families safe and healthy during these times of uncertainty,” Lightford said. “I’m delighted to see SNAP recipients will be given the ability to shop with ease and reap the benefits of this convenient new feature." 

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services created the statewide plan for 1.8 million SNAP recipients, which was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This plan will give SNAP recipients the option to enter their Personal Identification Number to order groceries online. 

Read more …