CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined representatives from the City of Chicago Monday for a Juneteenth flag raising. 

“I’m proud to be a part of the first-ever Juneteenth flag raising in Chicago,” Lightford said. “I hope everyone joins me every June 19 to rejoice in the oldest national celebration of the freedom of all slaves in this country and let it remind us how far our society has come.” 

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement after the Senate approved a balanced budget while paying down debt, funds the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus laws to rid Illinois of systemic racism, increases support for small businesses, and funds critical health care services. 

“This budget directs federal resources where they’re needed most to ensure that our working families have greater security and to support our communities as a whole. I’m especially pleased with additional funds for law enforcement training, job training, and economic development grant programs.  

“We worked hard to allocate money for the laws the Black Caucus passed to fight against systemic racism, increase the funding for small businesses in disadvantaged communities, and increased health care upgrades including for individuals who have mental health, behavioral health and substance abuse challenges.”

Join Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford on Thursday, June 10 from 6-8 p.m. for a virtual listening session to discuss how poverty has impacted the West Side community and how the state of Illinois can better serve you. To register for the event, click here: https://bit.ly/3fRUrRj. Also, please take a simple survey here: https://bit.ly/3vB2isZ.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to keep teen parents and teenage survivors of domestic and sexual violence from dropping out of school, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) passed legislation that would protect their privacy and safety.

“Being a parent is difficult at any age, and surviving domestic or sexual violence is already traumatizing,” Lightford said. “We want all students to feel safe and to get the support they need to succeed with a good education.”