CHICAGO – Beginning Monday, June 24, the CPS LunchStop summer meal program will provide free lunch to children ages 1-18 at nearly 100 outdoor community sites throughout Chicago. The CPS LunchStop Program serves free, healthy meals in a fun and familiar environment to help make nutritious meals more accessible to students and the community during the summer.

“It’s critical that Chicago’s children have access to meals during the summer, and we are proud to continue providing access to thousands of meals through the annual LunchStop program at schools throughout the city,” said CPS CEO Dr. Janice K. Jackson.

LunchStop locations operate from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at locations across the city. To find a location, parents can visit the 2019 summer meal map at cps.edu/summermealsmap, call the Illinois Hunger Hotline at (800) 359-2163 or text FOODIL to 877877.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) was appointed by Gov. JB Pritzker to the newly created Census Advisory Panel intended to guarantee that “hard-to-count” communities are accurately surveyed in the upcoming census.

“The commitment to executing the census in Illinois is vital, as it directly correlates with the amount of representation and federal resources our state will receive,” said Lightford. “It is our constitutional duty to ensure that every resident from Cook County to Alexander County is counted.”

Pritzker’s executive order follows a record $29 million investment for census implementation, the largest per-person allocation made by any state in the nation.

CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) celebrated the governor’s signing of three measures that will provide security and support for undocumented immigrants across Illinois.

“I’m humbled to be a part of legislation that gives immigrants and underserved populations refuge and more opportunities to follow their dreams,” Lightford said. “We welcome those who come to our state looking to take care of their families and break the generational curse of poverty.”

The following legislation was signed into law last week:

• House Bill 2691, which provides access to financial aid for undocumented students, and some groups of transsexual, African American and other students who have limited access to aid.
• House Bill 2040, which bars the state and local communities from entering into contracts for private immigration detention centers.
• House Bill 1637, which bars law enforcement agreements that deputize police to act as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

House Bills 2040 and 1637 are now under effect, while HB 2691 goes into effect on Jan. 1.

SPRINGFIELD – Low-income and immigrant populations across Illinois will soon have access to legal representation under the state’s newly enacted spending plan.

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) spearheaded the investment that was sparked by an initiative presented earlier this session.

“Some of our most vulnerable populations are getting lost in a justice system that is, by design, difficult for them to navigate,” Lightford said. “Providing support for families who need legal services not only serves them, but also keeps us from incarcerating people who could be helped in a different way.”