MAJORITY PERSPECTIVE: Heading into the 104th General Assembly

Details: Category: Majority Perspective; Thursday, February 13, 2025 04:17 PM

Dear neighbor,

I am proud to have been sworn in to my 26^th year in the Senate.

Throughout my tenure on the Senate Education Committee over the decades, I have passed landmark legislation, including the establishment of universal preschool, school breakfast programs, and full-day kindergarten access. My education reform law, Senate Bill 7, was praised as a "national model" by former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. In 2024, I sponsored legislation to establish The Department of Early Childhood in Illinois.

I have been a strong advocate for workers' rights, passing Illinois' Equal Pay Act in 2003 and leading efforts to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025. I also sponsored legislation guaranteeing paid leave for all Illinois workers, effective 2024.

As Joint Chairman of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus (2015-2021), I led efforts to address systemic racism through a four-pillar agenda focusing on criminal justice reform, education, economic opportunity, and healthcare. I established Juneteenth as a state holiday and declared Feb. 28 as Black Women's History Day.

My work continues this year. I’m leading a number of measures including:

SB 13: Establishes the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Formula for public universities
SB 20: Regulates hemp derived THC commonly referred to as delta-8
SB 28: Removes the requirement that student growth components be included in teacher evaluations
SB 245: Requires state agencies and colleges to maintain participation goals for vendors who are businesses owned by minorities, women or persons with disabilities

I'm also leading measures to enhance funding to support unpaid family caregivers, expand programming to combat social isolation and much more.

As always, please reach out to my District Office at 708-632-4500 or by visiting www.senatorlightford.com/contact-us. You can also reach my Springfield office at 217-782-8505.

All the best,

Kimberly A. Lightford
Senate Majority Leader | 4th District

IN THE DISTRICT

Rescinding LGBTQ+ Youth Press Conference

I was proud to attend the Rescinding LGBTQ+ Youth Support in Public Schools Press Conference on Jan. 31.

My child’s coming out taught me that true parental love means accepting and advocating for our children. This fight is urgent, especially after the recent federal executive order that rescinded vital protections for LGBTQI+ students.

As a parent, I understand the anxiety about my child's safety at school. Illinois has some of the strongest protections in the nation, and we will not compromise them. We have made significant strides: the Inclusive Curriculum Law in 2019, House Bill 2590 clarifying non-discrimination policies in 2021, and House Bill 246 supporting students' gender identity in 2022. To my fellow parents of LGBTQI+ youth: I share your anger and your worry. But know this – Illinois law protects our children. I got you!

Speaking at Healthy Maywood, West Cook County Summit

I had the honor of being the keynote speaker for the Healthy Maywood, West Cook Summit.

I shared my thoughts on the importance of addressing all areas of health, particularly regarding more health care support for caregivers. This topic is especially significant for me, as I am a caregiver for my beloved mother. I wanted to emphasize the importance of maternal health for Black and Brown women, ensuring they have a healthy and safe experience before, during, and after childbirth. I continued by discussing mental health care, the need for access to necessary treatments, affordable health care, and prescription medications.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

I recently had the privilege of sharing my stance on gun violence prevention strategies and the importance of civic engagement at Embrace Humanity for MLK 2025! Which was held at the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago.

"I feel like a broken record when I say, 'When will enough be enough?' Gun violence stresses public services, causes trauma, financial distress, and increased incarcerations. Redirecting resources could expand education, lift people out of poverty, and rebuild communities. Engage with legislators, organizations, and your community—sometimes, these issues resonate most when heard from a peer, family member, or colleague. Stay safe and healthy."

Hillside MLK Breakfast

My District Office and my Gentlemen & Women’s committee attended the 23rd Annual Hillside MLK Jr. Breakfast recently. This year's theme was "Dreamers Today, Leaders Tomorrow!" We had the pleasure of hearing from Congressman Danny Davis, who marched and worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We also enjoyed listening to inspiring essays written by three students from grades 6 to 8 on the theme, and the PMSA choir gave a fantastic performance with their singing and instrumentation!

Christmas in Proviso

Though the holidays have come and gone, the joy of giving lasts all year! This past season, my office had the privilege of celebrating Christmas in Proviso: A Season of Gratitude by gifting presents to 65 wonderful children. Their heartfelt thank-you letters to elected officials and partner organizations were a true highlight of the season.

Moments like these remind us the importance of community and the power of kindness and gratitude. Here's to carrying the holiday spirit into the year ahead!

AT THE CAPITOL

Celebrating 26 Years in Office

I recently celebrated my 26th year in office - and I was proud to take the oath for another term!

Looking back on my tenure in the General Assembly, I'm proud of how we've transformed Illinois into a more equitable and inclusive state, particularly for our youngest residents.

We've pioneered groundbreaking reforms in education – from implementing the nation's most equitable school funding model to creating new pathways for Black students' success and increasing diversity in our teaching workforce. Our unwavering commitment has been to ensure every child in Illinois has access to genuine opportunity, and I'll continue fighting for this vision in the years ahead.

It remains my deepest privilege to serve the 4th Senate District. Together, we've laid a strong foundation, but our potential for future achievement knows no bounds.

Increasing the Minimum Wage

Following a multi-year implementation period, the state’s minimum wage reached $15 per hour on Jan. 1, thanks to a law I passed in 2019.

As a state, we have helped countless workers make ends meet, reduce financial stress, and provide a more solid foundation for their futures. The $15 minimum wage is a testament to our commitment to economic justice and our belief that everyone who works full time deserves a living wage.