BROADVIEW – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) is celebrating Illinois’ next minimum wage increase and reminding employees to double check their paychecks after Jan. 1. The minimum wage will increase to $11 an hour on New Year’s Day.

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

The current state minimum wage is $10 an hour, up from $8.25 in 2019. Lightford is also responsible for the 2003 and 2006 laws that gradually increased the minimum wage from $5.15 to $8.25 per hour.

BROADVIEW – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) and Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson joined Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action and Black Men United for a food giveaway Monday.

“Food insecurity is at an all-time high, and we wanted to do our part to ensure our families are able to put a meal on their table this Thanksgiving,” Lightford said. “I am grateful to partner with Mayor Thompson, Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action and Black Men United for this important community event.”

SPRINGFIELD - As Illinois sees an uptick in COVID-19 cases, the Illinois General Assembly has decided not to return to session next week, as previously scheduled, but will instead convene in January for a lame duck session. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) ensures that the change in the session schedule will not deter the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ efforts to rid Illinois of systemic racism.

“We are still in the midst of a pandemic, and COVID-19 cases are surging across the state. I agree with President Harmon and Speaker Madigan that the risk is too high to convene at this time,” said Lightford, chair of the ILBC. “While we will not be able to pass legislation as soon as we hoped, the urgency to bring an end to systemic racism remains.”

CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined the Senate Education and Higher Education Committees for a hearing focused on efforts to prepare Illinois youth to enter the workforce, including career and technical education (CTE) program, the Illinois Pathways program and the Illinois Postsecondary Workforce Readiness Act.

“With few or no work experience programs available in their communities, students can’t build the job readiness skills they’ll need to excel in the workforce after graduation,” Lightford said. “CTE programs are an essential part of preparing students for high-demand, skilled careers.”

CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined the Senate Education and Higher Education Committees for a hearing focused on student support services reforms, teacher reforms and developmental education reforms for Illinois college students.

Wednesday’s hearing was the seventh hearing dedicated to education and workforce development, the second pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda to rid Illinois of systemic racism.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous effect on college students and their mental health,” Lightford said. “It’s a necessity for students to have access to support services that keep them engaged and connected with other students, make them feel welcome and ease emotional stress. Colleges must ensure as many students as possible are receiving this assistance.”

CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined the Senate Education and Higher Education Committees for a hearing focused on equitable funding and affordable models for free tuition for Illinois college students.

Wednesday’s hearing was the sixth hearing dedicated to education and workforce development, the second pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda to rid Illinois of systemic racism.

“We continue to see a trend where underfunding and budget cuts disproportionately leave Black students behind in attaining a college education,” Lightford said. “Our focus should be on ensuring that our state support is having a direct impact on closing the inequities that exist in college affordability.”

CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined the Senate Education and Higher Education Committees for a hearing focused on language graduation requirements and mental health resources and recovery in Illinois elementary and high schools.

Wednesday’s hearing was the fifth hearing dedicated to education and workforce development, the second pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda to rid Illinois of systemic racism.

“Students have a better chance of gaining proficiency in a second language when they learn it early on,” Lightford said. “That effort can make a significant impact on our children’s career success the workforce.”

CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined the Senate Education and Higher Education Committees for a hearing focused on the Black history curriculum and student success programs in Illinois elementary and high schools.

Wednesday’s hearing was the fourth hearing dedicated to education and workforce development, the second pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda to rid Illinois of systemic racism.

“It’s clear that it shouldn’t be difficult for children to learn about famous figures in history,” Lightford said. “Children should also learn about Black history in a way that is relatable and empowering, while also not hiding its truth and past atrocities. The State Board of Education should mandate a curriculum that incorporates lessons about all marginalized populations into their history classes.”