SPRINGFIELD – In response to the President Barack Obama’s address given to the General Assembly, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D – Maywood) released the following statement.

“More than the words spoken, sometimes a tone that strikes the right chord can deliver the strongest message. Beyond the president’s message of principled compromise, which I believe we all gravely needed to hear, his hopeful, yet defiant tone is what I take away most from the speech today.

“To move past the gridlock, we have to defy the pervasive narrative that we cannot work together or that political interests are outweighing the interests of the people. Our leaders need to come together with a fresh outlook and a grounded understanding of the consequences of their motivations and actions. Then and only then, will we move forward in a democracy for the people, by the people.

"The president is a true gentleman and friend, the two of us serving together in the Illinois Senate together from 1998-2004."

For our students to succeed, we need initiatives and programs that unite the resources of local businesses and government, as well as every college and K-12 school in our community.

Only by harnessing the synergy of working together can we make sure every student is given the opportunity for success.

Take a look at the article below to read about how one California working-class, urban city saved its education system through harnessing its community's strength, becoming a model for the nation.

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/02/the-long-beach-miracle/459315/

On the Senate floor, Senator Lightford rose in defense of essential MAP grant dollars being provided by legislation passing out of the legislature this week.

She spoke of state leaders' responsibility to help keep students' dreams alive and the importance of keeping the focus on education, where it should be.

The dollars being pushed through for students represents a healthy increase when compared to last year. The $32 million increase in funding could stand to benefit an additional 15,000 students across the state, including many in the Chicago area.

Community colleges, without the benefit of a higher influx of tuition dollars, have been hit by the budget impasse particularly hard. Therefore, SB 2043 also provides over $260 million for operational costs at community colleges throughout the state.

The legislation now goes to the governor's desk for final approval.

The message was clear and the call for action united as members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus gathered outside the Senate chamber to voice their response to Governor Rauner’s State of the State address.

The press conference began with ILBC Chair Kimberly Lightford giving opening remarks setting the stage for a number of initiatives important to the African-American community to be discussed, including education equity, restoring essential social services and police brutality and incarceration reform. She then introduced Senator Donne Trotter.

I would like to stand before you and say, ‘Wow, wasn’t that a great speech,’” said Trotter, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations II Committee. “But I, along with my [fellow] members standing with me, was totally underwhelmed by the governors’ story… pointing the blame to the people who are suffering.”

The Black Caucus has continued to focus on social justice for needy children going without mental health services, struggling parents who have lost home care and the elderly who now have to consider high-cost nursing homes. The caucus fights for these causes while advocating for responsible fiscal management on behalf of state government without saddling these vulnerable populations with an undo financial burden.

“We were all created equal, but that does not mean we were all created equally as rich,” said Sen. Trotter. “We need the support of a governor who understands that, and is willing to lend a hand and direction and governorship to the cause.”

Rep. LaShawn K. Ford talked about the path to economic success, job innovation and a reduction in criminal activity as dependent upon Illinois students being prepared for the workforce – prepared to fill these highly competitive positions.

“We know that without funding community colleges, it is a direct attack on job readiness in the state of Illinois,” said Rep. Ford. He continued, “And we can reduce crime by putting people to work.”

The caucus believes reforming our K-12 education system to benefit all students and giving poorer students just as much of a chance at success as those in the wealthier suburbs is our only just path forward. Illinois can stay competitive with other states when it comes to higher education, but we cannot do it by taking away our state’s biggest tool – MAP grants.

“We need to make sure we are no longer playing games with those who have gotten MAP grants who could be the first generation in their family to go to college, helping their family grasp that wrung of economic opportunity. We need to end [the games] now,” said Mitchell. “And we need to fix the formula now. We need more funding for [K-12] public education.”

Rep. Sonya Harris spoke on the importance of senior care and their lack of assistance under this governor. Due to rising thresholds for service eligibility and staff cuts, there are many seniors who depend on Community Cares and other programs, who are finding themselves without proper care, such as medication monitoring and hot meals.

Rep. Welch pointed out that the caucus didn’t hear the governor talk about ways to keep our universities open to produce the talent we need to stay competitive, while Sen. Van Pelt strongly advocated for a stronger focus on police brutality that the governor did not lay out in his speech. 

According to her, police brutality should be a primary concern for the governor, as well as prisoner reintegration, prevention programs and keeping our police accountable.

A sense of lost confidence among African Americans has left many in the community feeling unsure of how to engage the police forces sworn to protect them. Sen. Van Pelt introduced legislation addressing police misconduct records and public access to video and audio records of police encounters.

As the press conference closed, Senator Lightford summed up the Black Caucus’ feelings on the speech, which, according to them, lacked “scope” and “vision.”

“I’m in awe with governor’s speech. He absolutely said nothing to address the homelessness that has taken shape and our [lack of] affordable housing,” said Kimberly A. Lightford. “He said nothing about his lack of governing. In fact, he just spent a lot of time accusing everyone else for not doing their job, when in fact, he has done a lousy job as governor.”

Members of the ILBC speaking at the press conference included Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Chair Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Senator Donne Trotter, Representative LaShawn K. Ford, Representative Christian Mitchell, Representative Sonya Harper, Representative Chris Welch and Senator Patricia Van Pelt.