SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, Feb. 28 will now be declared as Black Women’s History Day in Illinois.

“Black women have a rich and impactful history in Illinois,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “We should honor those who shaped and molded U.S. history in innumerable and irrefutable ways.”

Feb. 28 intentionally connects the nationally recognized months of February with Black History Month and March with Women's History Month, uplifting the unique intersectionality of race and gender of being both Black and women. Lightford led Senate Resolution 37 to enshrine the day as Black Women’s History Month in Illinois.

“It’s important to recognize the Black women that have risen above their circumstances in the face of adversity, not just to survive but also excel in every community across the state,” said Lightford. “My hope is that every Illinoisan will take the initiative to learn more about the wonderful Black women that have made history in the past, present and looking forward to the future.”

Senate Resolution 37 passed on Wednesday.

CHICAGO – Thanks to the support of Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, two organizations received more than $700,000 to expand their programming as part of the $13 million Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship program.

“Illinois Works is a program that gives residents new opportunities to learn skills they would not have had access to before, and helps eliminate the barriers women and people of color often face in the job hunt,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “I look forward to seeing programs across the state receive funds to increase their outreach and ability to educate those who are often forgotten.”

Chicago Women in Trades has been awarded $500,352.44 to assist with expanding and broadening access to its pre-apprenticeship programs. Chicago Women in Trades has supported women in the area for over 40 years, and advocates for and trains women in new careers to foster change within industries. Lumity – a STEM nonprofit organization in Lightford’s district that fosters education for under-resourced students – received $200,000 as part of the program.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford is happy to announce that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has awarded grants to 48 communities in need of lead service line replacements, including a $50,000 grant to Melrose Park.

“This program will support communities with the necessary fund to identify and map out the types of water lines that exist in their drinking water supply,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “By creating a full inventory of our lead lines in Illinois, we can target areas where replacements are needed most, and continue to work with communities to improve drinking water across the state.”

Melrose Park distributes water to six different public water systems in the area which include Bellwood, Maywood, Stone Park, Northlake, Hillside Berkeley Water Commission, and Leyden Township Water District.

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SPRINGFIELD - In response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget address today, State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) issued the following statement:

“We need to make education more of a priority in Illinois and after hearing Gov’ Pritzker’s proposed budget follow through on education support for Illinois families, I am hopeful for the future of our students.

“Children’s destinies begin at birth, making it vital that education is prioritized from then until college. As a General Assembly, we will do what is right by the people of Illinois and continue to fight for equitable funding and access to education. I share in the governor’s enthusiasm for providing our youth with greater opportunities for success – from investing in early childhood education to ensuring our schools are fully funded.

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