Lightford encourages people to celebrate Juneteenth

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford championed legislation in 2021 to ensure that the people of Illinois understood that Black history is American history. This year she is building upon that monumental measure by encouraging people to celebrate Juneteenth and reminding them of the reason for the holiday.

“Juneteenth being a state holiday reminds us that freedom and racial equality have always been a hard-fought battle for Black Americans,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This day gives everyone an opportunity to celebrate Black culture, Black achievements, and learn more about Black history.”

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which established that all enslaved people in Confederate states were forever free. However, it was not until two years later in June of 1865 that federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the proclamation freeing the last of slaves in the United States.

In 2021, Lightford championed House Bill 3922, which established June 19 as a state holiday for Juneteenth National Freedom Day. It is now a paid day off holiday for all state employees, as well as a federal holiday.

Today, Juneteenth has grown from the celebration of the abolition of slavery into a celebration of Black arts, culture, and the impacts of the civil rights movement throughout the country.

“The struggle for our people to achieve full equity in Illinois and across the nation continues still to this day,” Lightford said. “Juneteenth recognizes our accomplishments, our achievements, our culture, and reminds us that our fight is not over.”

Lightford works to mend relations between Black and diaspora communities

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is building upon her steadfast work to end systemic racism by recognizing Jan. 1, 2026 as Black Diaspora Freedom Day.  

“By officially recognizing Black Diaspora Freedom Day, we create a space to heal historical divisions, celebrate our interconnected heritage, and forge new bonds of understanding,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This recognition becomes a testament that wherever Black people exist in the world, our struggles and triumphs resonate as one continuous story of resilience and hope."

Lightford – a longtime advocate of ensuring Black history isn’t erased – led a resolution to declare Jan. 1, 2026 as Black Diaspora Freedom Day. The official designation would serve as time to educate, showcase, discuss and mend fences between Black and diaspora communities.

Jan. 1 is an important day in Black history – confederate slave owners were mandated to free salves at midnight on Jan. 1, 1863.

However, it took nearly two more years, until June 19, 1865, for many individuals to be informed they were free. This freedom mandate included short-term and long-term contingencies for the Black and diaspora communities.

Lightford previously led legislation to make June 19 – Juneteenth – a state holiday.

“Juneteenth commemorates the end of legal slavery in the United States, while Black Diaspora Freedom Day reminds us that the fight for true equality extends beyond borders,” said Lightford. “Together, these observances honor the resilience, contributions, and ongoing journey of Black people.”

Senate Resolution 35 was adopted by the Senate.

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.