SPRINGFIELD- Cursive handwriting will remain a subject in Illinois public schools thanks to the Senate’s action in overriding a veto of a measure that requires public elementary schools to offer at least one unit of instruction in the subject.

Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) led the initiative, noting it promotes the practical and fundamental values cursive writing has in education.

“Cursive writing is a skill children will need throughout their lives,” Lightford said. “You cannot write a check, sign legal documents or even read our Constitution without an understanding of cursive writing.”

Districts would determine by local policy at what grade levels this would be implemented as long as students receive the instruction by grade 5.

Under House Bill 2977, schools will be required to offer cursive writing beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.

SPRINGFIELD- Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement after the Senate approved measures to address some of the issues in dealing with sexual harassment complaints throughout the Capitol:

“We have only begun to address the issue of sexual harassment. Legislative measures are not going to be the solution to this problem, and they will certainly never make up for the hurt and fear women have endured for many years. It is going to take a cultural change to truly see a difference. The important thing is that more and more people are becoming aware and are determined to find solutions.”

SPRINGFIELD — When the Illinois Lottery was established, its purpose was to provide extra revenue for schools, but those funds have often been used to replace funds from other sources instead of serving as a supplement. Reliance on lottery revenue to fund local schools will soon come to an end under a proposal that was recently signed into law.

House Bill 213, led by Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), ensures that beginning in FY18, money from the lottery that is used to fund schools must serve as an addition to other funds slated for education.

“We recently made a commitment to our students that requires the proper investment to achieve equity in education for all children. This legislation adds to that commitment by ensuring that lottery funds will serve their intended purpose,” Lightford said.

The Illinois Lottery Law requires the entire net proceeds of the Lottery to be used for the support of the State's Common School Fund. Currently, 24 percent of lottery ticket revenue is deposited into the fund. In fiscal year 15, that amount was $679 million of the total $2.85 billion in lottery sales.