Illinois revisits cannabis laws to provide more licenses to minority applicants

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois has created new marijuana dispensary licenses for social equity applicants because of a new law sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) that was signed Thursday. 

“The signing of HB1443 moves us closer to making the promise of equity in cannabis a reality in a state where the entire existing industry is White. I was proud to partner with State Representative LaShawn Ford in passing HB1443 which is the result of dozens of meetings with stakeholders and applicants who demanded that their voices be heard,” Lightford said. “This industry has the potential to change lives but only if we keep the principles of equity at the center of every decision we make. The signing of this legislation brings us one step closer to making these promises a reality.”

Read more …

Lightford will host a summer book club

Maywood - To continue stimulating children’s brains during the summer, State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) will be hosting a summer book club for children in the 4th District. 

“Educating our youth should not stop when the summer starts,” Lightford said. “Reading comprehension is essential in our everyday lives, so young children need to be encouraged to read until it becomes second nature.”

The summer book club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form, as well as if they received the book from a public library – and if so what library – and return the form to Lightford’s district office by Aug. 13.

Read more …

Lightford announces funding for local providers to reduce health disparities for community members

MAYWOOD – As advocates of providing quality health care to all families, State Senators Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), Omar Aquino (D-Chicago), and Patricia Van Pelt (D- Chicago) celebrated health care centers in their communities receiving a share of Illinois’ nearly $95 million investment in equity focused health care.   

Recently, Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services announced $94.3 million is being awarded to eight collaborative community-based programs across the state. HFS will oversee administration of the awards with the goal of improving health outcomes, reducing inequities, and improving access to quality health care. 

Read more …

Lightford makes Juneteenth a state holiday in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – Because of Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford’s (D-Maywood) efforts to ensure that the people of Illinois understand that Black history is American history, Governor Pritzker signed a law on Wednesday to make Juneteenth National Freedom Day a state holiday on June 19. 

“Making Juneteenth a state holiday is a breakthrough in Illinois history,” Lightford said. “It reminds us that freedom and racial equality have always been a hard-fought battle for Black Americans and gives us an opportunity to celebrate our culture and achievements.” 

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which established that all enslaved people in Confederate states were forever free. In 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed, leading to the name Juneteenth. House Bill 3922 creates a state holiday for Juneteenth National Freedom Day on June 19, which would be a paid day off holiday for all state employees and a school holiday, if June 19 falls on a weekday. 

Read more …