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.”

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.

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.” 

Senate Bill 157 lowers the state tax rate on clothes and school supplies by 5% for 10 days. The 10-day for the tax relief will begin on Aug. 5 and end on Aug. 14. Qualifying purchases include certain school supplies, clothing, and footwear with a retail selling price of less than $125 per item.

MAYWOOD - After the official decision by the United States Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement:

“Today’s Supreme Court decision is dehumanizing. It viciously attacks women and all people who can bear children, and it puts every single person’s right to privacy at risk.

“In Illinois, we made sure this dreadful day would not destroy the right to an abortion because we believe that people should be trusted to make their own health care choices.

MAYWOOD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford's plan to create HIV/AIDS supportive servicies across Illinois disenfranchised communities was signed into law on Friday. 

“In 2005, I led the creation of the African American HIV/AIDS Responsive Act in response to the specific impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Illinois disenfranchised communities, and now this law builds upon that act,” Lightford said. “Creating a Center of Excellence Biomedical Resource Hub for HIV/AIDS preventative care including supportive services is key in treating HIV-infected residents and preventing the continuous spread of this disease, which will help slow down the epidemic.”

MAYWOOD – As a result of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus four-pillar agenda, specifically the Education and Workforce Equity Act, State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) announced a $17 million grant to create the first-ever state-funded Freedom Schools network. 

“Freedom Schools have a proud history and major significance for African Americans,” Lightford said. “These schools represent a long tradition of engaged citizenship, personal empowerment and academic excellence. I know this experience will have a positive impact on students, their families, and the whole community.”

Because of the monumental education package to rid Illinois of systemic racism, the Phillip Jackson Freedom School Grant was created to ensure Black students receive quality education across the state. 

SPRINGFIELD – When students struggle with reading comprehension, they often struggle in other areas of education. To address this issue, Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), Illinois Senate Majority Leader, is sponsoring a measure to increase students' literacy and reading comprehension. 

"Children with strong reading abilities oftentimes have a confident approach to their education," Lightford said. "It’s critical for educators to focus on developing a child’s literacy development within the early stages."

Senate Bill 3900 creates the Right to Read Act in the School Code to help students achieve greater levels of literacy and reading comprehension at an early age through evidence-based literacy instruction. 

Additionally, educators will have additional professional development to ensure those teaching this new curriculum are given the proper tools to help mold our youth. A pilot program will be created to award Early Literacy Grants to districts that commit to comprehensive reform of core literacy curriculum and support for teachers implementing instruction of the new material.

Currently, only 37% of students in the third grade and 35% in the fourth grade met or exceeded learning standards in English Language Arts. Students who are not proficient readers in third grade are four times more likely not to finish high school and six times more likely if they live in a low-income family. Additionally, 85% of juvenile offenders struggle with reading, and 60% of inmates are illiterate. 

"Poor literacy can hurt a student's access to successful career opportunities which may persuade them to low-grade alternatives," Lightford said. "Reading comprehension skills are critical for success and help ensure students are prepared academically and professionally.” 

Senate Bill 3900 passed the Senate Education Committee and now heads to the Senate floor for further debate.

MAYWOOD – Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), is excited to announce the new $12 per hour minimum wage in Illinois is starting Jan. 1, 2022.

“Even before the pandemic, many working families were struggling,” Lightford, chief sponsor of the 2019 law raising the minimum wage, said. “This increase won’t solve all of their problems, but it will surely help.”