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SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford led a new law to protect seniors and adults with disabilities from financial exploitation by empowering banks, credit unions and investment firms to intervene when suspicious activity is detected on a vulnerable adult's account.

“Financial exploitation is one of the most devastating forms of elder abuse, and it often goes undetected until serious damage has already been done,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “House Bill 4911 gives banks, credit unions and financial professionals the authority and the protection they need to step in when something doesn't look right – and that could make all the difference for a vulnerable adult and their family.”

Under the law, financial institutions will be empowered to disclose suspicions of financial exploitation to trusted contacts, co-owners, beneficiaries, or known family members of the account holder, and will be able to place a temporary hold on transactions when exploitation is reasonably suspected. Institutions acting in good faith will be shielded from administrative and civil liability for such holds.

The law will also expand the list of mandated reporters under the Adult Protective Services Act to include investment advisers, securities dealers and financial institution employees with direct access to eligible adult clients' accounts – and will allow the state to share exploitation records with licensing boards, investigatory units, and prosecutorial bodies when the alleged abuser falls under their jurisdiction.

“No one should have to worry that the people or institutions entrusted with their finances are working against them,” Lightford said. “This law creates a stronger safety net for some of our most vulnerable residents and ensures that those positioned to spot exploitation have both the tools and the responsibility to act.”

House Bill 4911 was signed into law Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD — Following years of steadfast advocacy from Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford to create a more trauma-informed and equitable early childhood education system, the Illinois Department of Early Childhood will officially launch July 1.

“The foundation of a child’s success and well-being is built starting the moment they are born,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “As a state, it is our duty to provide the necessary support and resources to build such stability. The launch of this unique agency breaks ground on our transition to a whole, trauma-informed approach to meeting children’s diverse needs.”

The Department of Early Childhood – created under Lightford’s 2024 Senate Bill 1 – will focus on administering early childhood education programs. The agency will be dedicated to making access to such state programs easier for parents and providers to navigate.

Combining streamlined oversight to state-funded early childhood programs within the State Board of Education, Department of Human Services and Department of Children and Family Services, the new agency will house the responsibility of the Early Childhood Block Grant – which funds the Lightford-backed Preschool for All initiative – among other items. All relevant programs and services will be transitioned to the Department of Early Childhood by July 1, 2026.

“Illinois has become a national leader in the fight to enhance support for our most vulnerable children,” said Lightford. “We are taking yet another positive step to ensure every child in the state has access to the best, all-around care through the creation of the Department of Early Childhood.”

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood will officially launch Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD – After years of advocacy, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford led a wide-ranging law that brings new rules to Illinois' hemp market and delivers long-overdue improvements to the state's cannabis laws for patients, small businesses and social equity licensees.

“I have fought for years to bring order and fairness to these markets, and working with our House colleagues, we finally got it done,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This is about protecting people, keeping our promises, and keeping Illinois at the forefront nationally.”