New law will require public higher education funding model to consider historic and systemic racism

Lightford wants to provide an equitable education for all students

SPRINGFIELD - Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford’s (D-Maywood) effort to create a commission to evaluate whether public universities and community colleges receive fair funding to serve members of disadvantaged communities was signed by the governor on Monday.  

“Universities and colleges that serve members of disadvantaged communities need fair funding in order to serve their students and reverse the damage caused by historic and systemic racism,” Lightford said.

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Lightford protects teen parents and sexual violence survivors from being neglected at school

SPRINGFIELD – A champion of providing all Illinois students an equitable education, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) passed a new law that requires all Illinois schools to uphold policies that prevent teen parents and teenage survivors of domestic and sexual violence from dropping out school.

“Feeling neglected at school is something our students should never have to experience, especially if they are survivors of domestic or sexual violence,” Lightford said. “Providing safe learning environments will help ensure that all students are supported by their schools.”  

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Lightford provides over 800 community residents with backpacks filled with school supplies

BROOKFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) hosted her Uplift Our Future 12th Annual free Back to School Event serving over 800 community residents with a fun-filled free day at the Brookfield Zoo with no admission fee, no parking fee, no cost for lunch, and no charge for backpacks filled with school supplies for students from PreK to college.

“As we continue to fight this pandemic, our families still need fun experiences, especially if they help our students get prepared for the upcoming school year,” Lightford said. “The Uplift Our Future 12th Annual free Back to School Event turned out amazing, and I am thankful for all the sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and families who came out and supported our kids this year.”

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Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford's 12th Annual Back to School Event

Join Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford on Sunday, Aug. 8th, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. for my 12th Annual Back to School Event at the Brookfield Zoo. 

The 12th Annual Back to School Event is a fun-filled Free Day for the entire family at the Brookfield Zoo. No admission fee, No parking fee, No cost for lunch, and No cost for backpacks filled with school supplies for students from PreK to College.

Free parking will be at the South Gate, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513. State that you are here for Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford's Back to School Event and continue right towards the Discovery Center.

Volunteers will be at the Discovery Center to guide you to the zoo's pavilions. Also, vendors will be on site to provide educational information to the youth and parents.

Please do not miss out on this opportunity to have a fun, free day at the zoo and school supplies for the upcoming school year.