SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker has awarded the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) $1.3 million in grants geared towards strengthening the early childhood workforce, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) announced Tuesday.

“Educators and their effective skills are central to students’ experiences in the classroom,” Lightford said. “I applaud Governor Pritzker in his efforts to ensure educators receive resources that gives them the opportunity to shape our children’s future.”

Illinois’ institution-led programs of tailored supports for early childhood educators have shown they can be helpful for current early childhood educators pursuing degrees or credentials to improve their practice.

The grants will be used by colleges and universities to help early childhood educators gain a credential or degree. The funds can be used for supports like personalized advising and mentoring, job-embedded coaching, technology access, transportation, childcare and supports for course fees.

According to the Illinois Career Information System and Illinois Department of Employment Security, the necessity for well-prepared teachers is anticipated to increase by nearly 10% in the next six years.

IBHE is now looking for proposals from Illinois community colleges and four-year institutions that plan to support groups of early childhood educators next academic year as they pursue an Illinois Gateways credential or degree.

For more information about how to apply for the grant, go to ibhe.org/IBHE-EC4.html.

MELROSE PARK – As testing continues to be a priority in stopping the spread of COVID-19, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) announced a new testing facility opening on May 11 in Melrose Park to serve Proviso Township residents.

“Nearby increased testing is imperative for the communities I represent,” Lightford said. “I am grateful for the work Access Community Network has done to launch their site and their continued commitment to the health of our local residents.”

As of May 7, Proviso Township had seen 2,052 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) passed a resolution urging the President and Congress of the United States to reauthorize the Older Americans Act and adjust funding levels for inflation.

“The programs funded under the Older Americans Act are vital to the wellbeing of one of our most vulnerable populations,” Lightford said. “Our federal government needs to make sure they can continue to serve all those in need.”

The Older Americans Act provides essential services that help older adults live independently including meal plans, home assistance, support for family caregivers, transportation and protection from abuse.

The Act was reauthorized in 2016 through 2019. However, funding for services has not increased since 2010, leaving many without much-needed services.

According to 2015 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, 24% of low-income older adults were food insecure, and of that number 83% of them did not receive home-delivered or congregate meal services.

Senate Resolution 974 was approved by the Illinois Senate last week.

SPRINGFIELD – Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined the United Way in releasing their report on Illinois ALICE households – asset-limited, income-constrained and employed.

The report focuses on families living above the federal poverty level, but below the threshold of a basic survival budget of $57,144 for a family of four and $19,212 for a single adult.

“People all over Illinois are struggling to get ahead. We know this intuitively, and we see it in our communities. I see it every day in my west side and west suburban district,” Lightford said. “ALICE allows us to put some real data behind that intuition.”

SPRINGFIELD – Property taxes will be lowered for some homeowners and business owners in South Suburban communities thanks to a new state grant program that seeks to lift some of the burden on school districts that are heavily taxed.

The Property Tax Relief Grant is part of the education funding reform package that has been put in place to level the playing field to better serve struggling school districts.

“This is a positive step forward in bringing long-term property tax relief to the community of Broadview,” Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) said. “Property taxes have been an extremely important issue, which is why I am pleased to see this grant awarded to Lindop School District.”

SPRINGFIELD – Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) responded to Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State Address on Wednesday with the following statement:

“Last year, the governor gave the General Assembly an extra push to get some big items done, and I look forward to building on such a successful session. I am particularly excited about investing in early childhood education and working to make college more affordable.”

“Education is a vital tool in lifting people out of poverty, and I am glad Governor Pritzker shares my commitment to the children of Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – Ten local school districts will receive more than $16,000 in grants through the Illinois secretary of state’s School Library Grant program, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) announced today.

The grants, which are issued by the Illinois State Library, are meant to help public schools offer more library books and materials to students.

“I am delighted that many deserving schools will benefit from this years’ library grants,” said Lightford. “Having access to new library books and additional educational materials encourages students to experience the joy of reading and learning exciting information.”

SPRINGFIELD -- Outraged by allegations brought forth by a recent WBEZ story about the possible cover up of a rape detailed in a state government email exchange, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford urged that appropriate authorities, including the Champaign County State’s Attorney, the Illinois State Police, and the Illinois Executive Inspector General, take immediate steps to investigate this report.

The WBEZ story referenced a 2012 email to officials in then-Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration sent by lobbyist Michael McClain that among other things makes mention of a state employee who kept quiet about “the rape in Champaign”, asking that the administration keep that individual employed by the state.