Over 100 Attend Mental Health Town Hall

Thanks to all who attended this month’s Mental Health Town Hall in Forest Park, making it a great success! The event was an excellent time of discussion and illumination on a subject that needs our whole community’s attention. We had over 110 people in attendance who heard from a host of professionals representing the mental health community.

This event was the first series of our initial connection and the evening proved to be engaging and connections were made. We discussed how mental illness is colorblind and that we need to make sure everyone across our communities is educated on how to take care of our physical and mental health.

Please support Senate Bill 565, an effort to reduce mental health stigmas and improve the overall health of communities across the state.  I look forward to having your support on this legislation.

Identity Theft and Student Loans: Unexpected Cornerstones of Modern Education

SPRINGFIELD – Most of us would agree that if we could do high school all over again, knowing what we now know about how the world works, some of our academic questions and concerns might focus on more practical subjects – maybe simply inquiring about how to get through day-to-day adult life unscathed.

How do I stay out of debt? What is the best way to pay back mounting student loans? How do I prevent the guy in the apartment next door from stealing my identity?

New legislation, sponsored by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D – Maywood), would require those questions to be answered in Illinois public high schools. Passing the Senate, the legislation would add identity-theft security, consumer debt and higher education loans to the list of mandatory subjects to be covered in high school financial literacy courses.

“Preparing the next generation for life after school takes more than preparing them for college courses or even a specific career,” said Senator Lightford. “It is just as important to prepare our students for the scarier aspects of adult life. We need to teach the next generation how to prepare for and avoid some of the most common and severe real world difficulties as they graduate from school, begin a career and start their own families.”

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Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Join me for an evening to honor grandparents raising grandchildren as we recognize outstanding grandparents who, everday, are exemplifying the pure essence of "parenting the second time around." The event will have food, entertainment, information on available resources and, of course, an awards ceremony for these deserving grand parents.

Read the flier below for more details and click on the nomination form to nominate yourself (if you are a second-time parent) or another deserving grandparent to be recognized at this special event.

Photo Round-Up: Moments from the Capitol and Back Home

2015 has already brought some great memories and moments with it. Just since the beginning of this year, Senator Lightford has felt privileged to be a part of so many great causes and initiatives, and she has had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people along the way that have worked hard to improve our communities and nation as a whole. Luckily, we were able to capture some of these great moments and accomplishments in photos with the Senator and people like you who have largely been responsible for progressing our vibrant communities and our great state.

-              Earlier this month, the Senator stopped to talk with advocates from the Alzheimer’s Association in the Capitol and discuss the importance of Alzheimer’s research and awareness.

-              The Transportation Construction Apprenticeship Readiness Training program (TCART) is a crucial initiative sponsored by Senator Lightford through IDOT that creates transportation job opportunities for otherwise untrained job seekers. The Senator is pictured here with Austin People Action Center (APAC) Executive Director Cynthia Williams and some apprentices in the program as they advocate for funds at the Capitol after the governor's budget address.

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