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Lightford: Financial security is essential to breaking cycles of abuse

Details
Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Wednesday, May 07, 2025 11:48 AM
  • Financial Abuse
  • Predatory Collection Practices
  • Coerced Debt
  • HB3352

lightford 050725Lightford leads measure to prohibit collection agencies from collecting debt incurred through coercion

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing that financial abuse is a common tactic used by abusers to maintain control over victims, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is leading a measure to prohibit collection agencies from collecting debt incurred through coercion.

"Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking should not be haunted by debts that were forced upon them during their trauma," said Lightford (D-Maywood). "We must prevent predatory collection practices that can re-traumatize survivors and hinder their path to recovery and independence."

Read more: Lightford: Financial security is essential to breaking cycles of abuse

Lightford fights to remove expulsion, suspension for preschool through second graders

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Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Tuesday, May 06, 2025 02:53 PM
  • Education
  • HB3722
  • Early Grades Suspension or Expulsion

lightford 050625SPRINGFIELD – All too often, students of color feel the brunt of being expelled or suspended from school, rather than being provided restorative approaches to help with their emotional and mental health – a phenomenon Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is fighting to change.

“Our education system has failed many children by simply denying them the opportunity to sit in a classroom,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “We’re continuing to move toward a disciplinary system that prioritizes educating students by keeping them in school.”

Expulsion of students in kindergarten through second grade would not be permitted unless the child brought a firearm, knife or other object that could be used to harm another student to school.

Read more: Lightford fights to remove expulsion, suspension for preschool through second graders

Lightford leads conversations on equitable funding for higher education

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Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Thursday, May 01, 2025 08:58 AM
  • Lightford
  • Higher Education
  • Equitable Funding
  • SB13

Sen. Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is working to transform how Illinois funds its higher education system through legislation she outlined during a Subject Matter Hearing Wednesday.  

“Despite education’s paramount importance, the disparity in funding among higher educational institutions remains dreadfully evident,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This imbalance not only undermines the principle of equal opportunity but also hampers our collective progress as a society.”

Lightford was instrumental in creating the Commission on Equitable Public University Funding in 2021. Over the years, the 30-person commission studied if public institutions of higher education are in dire need of a new funding model when serving underrepresented and historically underserved student groups, including Black and Brown students, as well as students from low-income families.

Read more: Lightford leads conversations on equitable funding for higher education

Lightford to put an end to resident dumping

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Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 03:41 PM
  • Leader Lightford
  • HB 1597
  • resident dumping

Lightford HB1597SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is leading the charge to put an end to “resident dumping” – an inhumane practice in which a nursing facility discharges a resident and refuses to readmit them after a hospital stay.

"Resident dumping is a betrayal of trust at life's most vulnerable moment,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Seniors have made these places their sanctuaries, their communities and their final homes. To deny them return is to strip away their belonging, security and dignity when they need it most.”

To strengthen resident rights in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, Lightford’s proposal would enhance the involuntary discharge process within these communities. If a resident leaves the facility for a medical reason – and would not create imminent danger to themselves or others – the facility would be required to let them come back home under House Bill 1597. 

Read more: Lightford to put an end to resident dumping

Lightford honored with prestigious Chicago Defender’s Vanguard Award

Details
Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 04:05 PM
  • Lightford
  • Chicago Defender's Vanguard Award
  • Women of Excellence

Sen. Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford

CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford was one of three women to receive the prestigious Chicago Defender’s Vanguard Award for her 26 years of contributions of bettering the lives of the people of Illinois.

“Thank you to the Chicago Defender for this tremendous honor. To be recognized among such extraordinary women is truly humbling,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “In reality, this isn’t my award. This award belongs to the Black girls who were seen but not heard. The Black girls who suffered trauma at the hands of a loved one. The Black girls who were told they couldn’t be all they could be.”

The Chicago Defender’s Women of Excellence Awards celebrates local African American women who inspire others through their vision and leadership, exceptional achievements, and participation in community service. They are women who exemplify extraordinary stature, poise and grace. These women do it all while maintaining the delicate balance of filling the roles of helpmate, mother, teacher and professional.

Read more: Lightford honored with prestigious Chicago Defender’s Vanguard Award

Lightford pushes for stronger hemp regulations to protect public health

Details
Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Monday, December 16, 2024 01:51 PM
  • Public Health
  • Delta-8
  • Synthetic Hemp-Derived THC
  • Regulation

lightford delta8 121624CHICAGO — Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford joined Governor JB Pritzker and a number of stakeholders to push for the House passage of her measure that would regulate Delta-8, a synthetic hemp-derived THC intoxicant.

“The current unregulated market undermines social equity license holders who have long worked to establish a legal, well-regulated business,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Effective regulation is about safeguarding public health and fostering a sustainable, trustworthy market."

Read more: Lightford pushes for stronger hemp regulations to protect public health

Lightford’s efforts lead to $15 minimum wage come Jan. 1

Details
Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 10:13 AM
  • Lightford
  • Minimum Wage
  • IDOL

Lightford 121024CHICAGO – Following a multi-year implementation period, the state’s minimum wage will reach $15 per hour on Jan. 1, thanks to steadfast advocacy from Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford.

“As a state, we have helped countless workers make ends meet, reduce financial stress, and provide a more solid foundation for their futures,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “The $15 minimum wage is a testament to our commitment to economic justice and our belief that everyone who works full time deserves a living wage.”

Lightford led a law in 2019 to put the state on the path to a $15 per hour minimum wage by 2025. The minimum wage was raised from $8.25 to $10 in 2019. Each year after, on Jan. 1, the minimum wage increased by $1 – putting it at $15 come Jan. 1, 2025. Additionally, the youth minimum wage rate will raise to $13 per hour.

Read more: Lightford’s efforts lead to $15 minimum wage come Jan. 1

Lightford among top notable Black leaders in Illinois

Details
Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 10:54 AM
  • Lightford
  • Senate Majority Leader
  • Slideshow
  • Crain's 100 Notable Black Leaders

Leader Lightford

CHICAGO – From executives to advocates, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford found herself as the only state elected official to be honored as one of Crain’s 100 notable Black leaders.

“I am honored to be recognized by Crain's Chicago Business as one of the city's notable Black leaders. As Senate Majority Leader, I have focused on advancing policies that create more opportunities and address longstanding inequities for the Black community in Illinois,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “There is still much work to be done, but I am committed to driving meaningful change and making a positive impact on the lives of all Illinoisans.”

For more than 26 years, Lightford has been an instrumental part of the Illinois State Senate – currently serving as the Senate’s Majority Leader, chair of the Senate Assignments Committee and chair of the Early Childhood Education Committee. Her steadfast leadership and commitment to the betterment of the people of Illinois secured her spot as a 2024 honoree.

Read more: Lightford among top notable Black leaders in Illinois

More Articles …

  1. Lightford fights for equitable funding for higher education
  2. New Department of Early Childhood coming to Illinois thanks to Lightford
  3. Lightford encourages people to celebrate Juneteenth
  4. Lightford leads charge to regulate hemp, delta-8 products
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