SPRINGFIELD – In response to the President Barack Obama’s address given to the General Assembly, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D – Maywood) released the following statement.

“More than the words spoken, sometimes a tone that strikes the right chord can deliver the strongest message. Beyond the president’s message of principled compromise, which I believe we all gravely needed to hear, his hopeful, yet defiant tone is what I take away most from the speech today.

“To move past the gridlock, we have to defy the pervasive narrative that we cannot work together or that political interests are outweighing the interests of the people. Our leaders need to come together with a fresh outlook and a grounded understanding of the consequences of their motivations and actions. Then and only then, will we move forward in a democracy for the people, by the people.

"The president is a true gentleman and friend, the two of us serving together in the Illinois Senate together from 1998-2004."