CHICAGO – The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Trump Administration’s expansion of birth control exemptions, allowing employers to deny women the access to birth control established in the Affordable Care Act. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) reacted with the following statement.
“More than 70,000 women will lose access to birth control over the Trump Administration’s ploy to appease conservatives. We should not have to keep explaining that birth control is more than a form of contraceptive, and is a health care need for many.
“Women should not be shamed for their sexuality, and it is also no one else’s business why they need birth control. We need to stop finding excuses to control bodies that are not our own, and protect women’s autonomy.”
CHICAGO – Chicago’s July 4th holiday was once again afflicted by gun violence across the city, including 7-year-old Natalia Wallace and 14-year-old Vernado Jones. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement in reaction to the devastating events that took place.
“I have dedicated my career to the idea that every child deserves a quality education, a transformative tool they can use to better themselves. Then, tragedies like the killings of Natalia Wallace and Vernado Jones happen, and we are once again facing the dark reality that our children are not safe enough to benefit from any education.
Read more: Lightford: Chicago gun violence is a symptom of a larger problem
SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) and the Illinois State Board of Education announced Wednesday that funding is available for the Child and Adult Care Food Program for Fiscal Year 2021. The program helps child care centers, Head Start programs, before- and after-school, emergency shelters and day care home providers by providing funding to offer healthy meals to children.
“Our children’s wellbeing continues to be a priority as we continue to face the current pandemic,” Lightford said. “This program will continue to provide thousands of children with healthy meals that may not be available at home.”
Read more: Lightford: Child and Adult Care Food Program funding now available
CHICAGO – To better inform policymakers on the root causes of poverty and economic insecurity, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) was appointed co-chair of the Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security.
“I believe we have come to the precipice of a moment that can make the changes necessary to put us on track to eliminate poverty across Illinois,” Lightford said. “That effort starts with getting to the root causes of poverty, a major one being systemic racism, and no longer being shy about the way we approach them.”
The commission will consist of four members of the General Assembly, a member of the judicial branch and 20 members of the public, including people who have experienced deep poverty and advocates for youth, veterans, mental health, education equity, those experiencing homelessness, those differently abled and others.
“I look forward to the important work we’ll be doing through this commission, and even more to engaging my colleagues in a conversation that can create generational change, eliminate poverty and economic disparities across our state,” Lightford said.
The commission is tasked with educating policymakers on the impact poverty has on other measures of economic stability and economic outcomes, including educational attainment, rates of incarceration, lifetime earnings, access to health care, health care outcomes, and access to housing. The Department of Human Services will provide support for the commission to complete its work to produce a strategic plan that addresses poverty and economic insecurity in Illinois by November 30, 2021.
BROADVIEW—Communities in the West Suburbs came together on Juneteenth to celebrate both the end of slavery and to continue the fight for justice, equality and police accountability.
CHICAGO – A new cash assistance program will provide financial support to Chicago residents who were excluded from federal stimulus aid, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) announced.
“Our families who were left out of federal aid packages have been facing massive levels of uncertainty during already difficult times,” Lightford said. “I applaud the Open Society Foundations and other funders for their commitment to helping fill the gap for people who may feel abandoned by their government. Also, thank you to Mayor Lightfoot and The Resurrection Project for their partnership in these efforts. ”
The City of Chicago announced the launching of the Chicago Resiliency Fund Wednesday. The $5 million fund was established with the help of a group of funders, including Open Society Foundations.
The Resurrection Project, a longstanding nonprofit organization committed to creating healthier communities throughout Chicago, will serve as the lead fiscal agent for the fund. To ensure as many eligible Chicagoans participate as possible, The Resurrection Project will convene a diverse group of community-based organizations to conduct outreach and identify households excluded from the federal stimulus relief including: Access Living, ARISE, Austin People Action Center, Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos, Centro Romero, Chicago Community and Worker’s Rights, Chicago State University, Communities United, Enlace Chicago, Habilitate Systems, Hana Center Heartland Alliance, Indo-American Center, Latino Union, Latinos Progresando, Logan Square Neighborhood Association, Northwest Side Housing Center, Puitak Center, Southwest Organizing Project, United African Organization, Austin Coming Together, Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, Greater Grow Englewood, Metropolitan Family Services and the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
The fund will provide $1,000 per household for eligible Chicagoans, including undocumented individuals, mixed-status families, those recently released from jail, low-income college students, dependent adults and people experiencing homelessness. Applications will become available June 22. Find more information and apply at www.resurrectionproject.org/chicagofund.
As I made my way to Cicero and Monroe on Thursday, I saw block after block of boarded up store fronts and empty lots and buildings in disrepair. Then, it dawned on me that parts of the West and South Sides of Chicago have looked like this since I could remember — destroyed and abandoned.
When I arrived, the area was surrounded by local residents who, quite frankly, were not interested in yet another spectacle in their neighborhood filled with empty promises and photo opportunities. And I agree with them.
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