SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker, House Speaker Pro Tempore Jehan Gordon-Booth and Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford issued a joint statement Tuesday supporting legislation that will guarantee paid leave for all Illinois workers:

“Whether it’s dealing with a sudden family illness or an emergency auto repair, sometimes life gets in the way of work. Paid leave will have a significant, positive impact on the lives of residents across our state, and underscores our commitment to uplifting working families. We appreciate the work put into this from all stakeholders, including business and labor, to bring us to this moment.”

Key components of Senate Bill 208 include:

• All employers will be required to provide their employees with a minimum of 40 hours (or five days) of paid leave per year to be used for any reason. Employers may choose to offer more paid leave time.

• A worker would begin to earn paid leave on their first day of their employment at a rate of one hour of leave for every 40 hours worked.

BROOKFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford hosted the 13th Annual Uplift Our Future free back to school event serving nearly 500 community residents with a fun-filled free day at the Brookfield Zoo. 

“Our goal every year is to ensure every child is prepared and emotionally equipped to learn for the upcoming school year while having a fun day at the zoo,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Regardless of the weather many families still came out, and I thank all the sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and families who weathered the storm with us to ensure we continued to support our future leaders.” 

Since 2009, Lightford has hosted a free Back to School Event for youth and families in the 4th Senate District at the Brookfield Zoo.

The 13th Annual Uplift Our Future Back to School event served youth by ensuring there was no admission fee, no parking fee, no cost for face painting, no cost for kidzone, no cost for child I.D card, no cost for lunch, and no cost for backpacks filled with school supplies for students from Pre-K to College. Lightford also had the honor of partnering with a vendor to provide COVID-19 vaccinations and screenings this year.

MAYWOOD – Kimberly A. Lightford, Illinois Senate Majority Leader, was a lead advocate of the passage of Rebuild Illinois and joins the Illinois Department of Transportation to announce an investment of more than $18 million in transportation improvement projects within the next year.

“A strong transportation system is vital to for economic development and plays a key role in ensuring social well-being and prosperity of our communities,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Our residents depend on these roads and bridges and improving them will enhance their quality of life and environmental sustainability.”

BROADVIEW – As a champion of education and equity, Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), Illinois Senate Majority Leader, joined Governor JB Pritzker Thursday to promote the state’s sales tax holiday on school supplies and clothing that will take place from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14. 

“As the cost-of-living rises, the School Sales Tax Holiday will give students the opportunity they deserve to be well-prepared for a successful school year,” Lightford said.  “Back to school time can be stressful enough for disadvantaged families, and this year Illinois is assisting all residents with some financial relief for the betterment of our students’ educational careers.”