Lightford backs immigrant community and underserved students

• Higher Education
• Immigration

CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) celebrated the governor’s signing of three measures that will provide security and support for undocumented immigrants across Illinois.

“I’m humbled to be a part of legislation that gives immigrants and underserved populations refuge and more opportunities to follow their dreams,” Lightford said. “We welcome those who come to our state looking to take care of their families and break the generational curse of poverty.”

The following legislation was signed into law last week:

• House Bill 2691, which provides access to financial aid for undocumented students, and some groups of transsexual, African American and other students who have limited access to aid.
• House Bill 2040, which bars the state and local communities from entering into contracts for private immigration detention centers.
• House Bill 1637, which bars law enforcement agreements that deputize police to act as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

House Bills 2040 and 1637 are now under effect, while HB 2691 goes into effect on Jan. 1.

Juneteenth Celebration 2019

• Event

Join Operation Uplift INC. in partnership with the village of Maywood for their 2019 annual Juneteenth Celebration – “A Taste of Emancipated Soul II”.

Feel free to bring your chairs, and let’s feast and reflect in celebration of this historic event in the emancipation of our Texas ancestors on June 19, 1865.

At this event they will be highlighting two new 2019 exhibits from our West Town Museum of Cultural History’s (WTMCH’s) – “gallery of hue”:
Two Roads To Freedom – A WTMCH exhibit displaying the different ideological perspectives of W.E.B. Dubois and Booker T. Washington during the Reconstruction Period.

A Gaze Into Garvey “The Pan-Africanist Movement” – A WTMCH exhibit taking a quick glimpse into the life of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Pan-Africanism and the past and present scholars who were inspired by Garvey throughout the 20th and 21st Centuries.

In addition, at 3:00 p.m. they will host a panel discussion on "Reparations and the 2020 Presidential Election".

The event is free to the public. Click the flyer for more information.

Lightford highlights investment in Access to Justice Grant program

• Budget
• Human Services
• Criminal Justice

SPRINGFIELD – Low-income and immigrant populations across Illinois will soon have access to legal representation under the state’s newly enacted spending plan.

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) spearheaded the investment that was sparked by an initiative presented earlier this session.

“Some of our most vulnerable populations are getting lost in a justice system that is, by design, difficult for them to navigate,” Lightford said. “Providing support for families who need legal services not only serves them, but also keeps us from incarcerating people who could be helped in a different way.”

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Lightford applauds disciplined budget, offering fair tax rates

• Budget
• Fair Tax

CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker signed the state budget and fair tax legislation on Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) reacted with the following:

“After four very long years, it is refreshing to deliver a budget that meets the needs of our state with a disciplined and realistic approach. We prioritized education from early childhood to higher education, and strengthened our safety-net services to provide a hand up to struggling families.

“Also, I am excited to give voters the opportunity to decide whether our state should implement a fair tax, and just as important, provide them a picture of what tax rates would look like if they approve it.”