SPRINGFIELD - Teachers who want to appeal their “unsatisfactory” rating will soon have the option to do so under a law sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) that was signed into law on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 1213 requires school districts to work with teachers or union representatives to develop and implement an appeals process for ‘unsatisfactory’ ratings.

“Teachers deserve a fair opportunity to present their case when given an “unsatisfactory” rating,” Lightford said. “This law not only creates an appeals process, it also helps teachers combat possible biases that may exist through the current evaluations method.”

SPRINGFIELD – To protect consumers from being taken advantage of due to misinformation from alternative retail electric suppliers, Senate Majority Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) led legislation that was signed into law on Tuesday.

“The data clearly demonstrates that alternative suppliers focus their signup efforts on low-income neighborhoods, those where English is a secondary language and communities of color,” Lightford said. “I am proud to stand with Governor Pritzker and Attorney General Raoul to protect our most vulnerable residents from unknowingly signing contracts that will result in rate hikes they cannot afford.”

CHICAGO – Prison inmates who are required to serve most of their sentences could soon reduce them by successfully completing classes aimed at rehabilitation under a proposal led by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford  (D-Maywood) that was signed into law today.

“Our criminal justice system is in desperate need of reforms that reduce recidivism and promote rehabilitation,” Lightford said. “This law will incentivize education and prepare inmates to re-enter society.”

Currently, individuals sentenced under truth-in-sentencing provisions, who are required to serve 85 percent or 100 percent of their sentence, are ineligible to receive sentencing credit for successful completion of classes with educational, substance abuse, vocational or re-entry focus.

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) hosted her 10th Annual Back to School Event on July 28 at Brookfield Zoo.

Guests received free parking, entry to the zoo, lunch, age-appropriate book bags with school supplies and t-shirts. In honor of the 10th year of the event, guests were also able to attend Brick Safari and the Hamill Family Wild Encounters exhibits free of cost. Additionally, Brookfield Zoo provided Animal Ambassadors that walked through the registration line and had a small exhibit near the vendors with animals that could be touched and interacted with.

Meijer was the premier event sponsor. Additional sponsors were Pepsi, Next Level Health, Stand for Children, Ameren Illinois, Nicor, Peoples Gas, The Roosevelt Group and Madiar Governmental Relations, LLC.

Over 750 guests attended the event and about 60 volunteers, including Meijer staff, the 4th District Committee and non-committee affiliates that assisted with the event.

Guests were hosted at three luncheon times, one of which included a visit from Governor J.B. Pritzker who made remarks, took photos and passed out school supplies to attendees.
Participants also had the opportunity to visit with vendors who provided information, resources, giveaways and screenings.

Below is the list of vendors who were in attendance:

• Black Star Project
• Cook County Health Systems
• Illini Health Care
• Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (Division of Banking- Legislative Services)
• Illinois Department of Public Health (UIC) (Mobile Care Foundation/Agape/ Beyond Care)
• Illinois State Police
• Loyola Hospital
• Merdian Health
• Next Level Health
• Pillars Community Health
• Proviso Lyden Council Community Action (PLCCA)
• Riveredge Hospital
• Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, 4th Senate District Office
• The Answer Inc.
• Traci’s House
• University of Chicago at Chicago Chance Program
• Wellcare