CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker has awarded the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) $1.3 million in grants geared toward strengthening the early childhood workforce, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) announced Tuesday. 

“Educators and their effective skills are central to students’ experiences in the classroom,” Lightford said. “I applaud Governor Pritzker in his efforts to ensure educators receive resources that give them the opportunity to shape our children’s future.”

MELROSE PARK – As testing continues to be a priority in stopping the spread of COVID-19, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) announced a new testing facility opening on May 11 in Melrose Park to serve Proviso Township residents.

“Nearby increased testing is imperative for the communities I represent,” Lightford said. “I am grateful for the work Access Community Network has done to launch their site and their continued commitment to the health of our local residents.”

As of May 7, Proviso Township had seen 2,052 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

"We are proud to bring this testing site to Proviso Township residents. We have custom-built this space to provide the highest level of safety for both patients and staff," said ACCESS CEO Donna Thompson. "As we know that this is a challenging time for our communities, everyone exiting the testing site will receive an educational handout with tips about how to self-isolate, manage symptoms and a listing of community resources including benefits assistance, food assistance, mental health and domestic violence, among others."

The testing facility is located next to the ACCESS Melrose Park Family Health Center at 8323 West North Ave and will conduct testing Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with the first hour being reserved for seniors.

Individuals looking to get tested need to complete a telehealth visit to schedule a testing appointment to confirm they are symptomatic. Those appointments can be scheduled by calling their special COVID-19 testing hotline at 1-800-836-7633.

For more information please reference this FAQ.

MAYWOOD –Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) encourages local residents to fill out the 2020 Census, protecting their representation in government and share of federal funding.

“The strength in our community comes from within us, but our power is in our numbers,” Lightford said. “We cannot pass up our opportunity to be counted in this census.”

In 2010, Proviso Township had a final response rate of 71.8%, and areas in the Austin neighborhood had a response rate between 40% and just over 50%. So far this year, the response rates in those areas are at least 10% lower.