Senate Majority Leader Lightford Talks To The Citizen About Her Plans and Accomplishments Since Taking Office
Illinois State Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-Dist. 4) has four policy pillars. Photo provided by Illinois State Senator Kimberly Lighford.
Senator Lightford: Of course, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ four pillar agenda – especially the Whole Child Task Force portion of the education pillar.
The Whole Child Task Force aims to revolutionize our educational system by placing the student at the heart of everything we do.
This year we passed a measure to implement recommendations to the Whole Child Task Force Report to improve schools in Illinois by ensuring that all schools are equipped with training and resources to meet the diverse trauma and mental health needs of their students.
Under the law, the Illinois State Board of Education will create a Children’s Adversity Index, which will measure community childhood trauma exposure across the population of children age 3 to 18 years old by May 31, 2025.
Other measures I have been proud to pass…
As the former Chair, Vice Chair, or a sitting member of the Senate Education Committee for 25 years, I passed notable education reform legislation recognized as a national model. This legislation led to the establishment of stronger methods of evaluating teachers and tracking student progress.
In 2021, I spearheaded the first in the nation state-funded network establishing the statewide Phillip Jackson Freedom Schools program.
In 2016, I started the state’s universal preschool for all programs.
In 2016, I sponsored SB 100, that went into law addressing issues of Black students being expelled disproportionally more than their peers.
In 2017, a measure aimed at reducing teen suicide and the stigma of mental health issues was signed into law. I led the effort that requires social and emotional screenings for children as a part of their school entry examinations to promote life-altering early detection. Also in 2017, after finding that cursive was becoming lost in younger generations, I brought back a requirement for students to receive cursive writing instruction in elementary school.
In 2000, I ensured the school breakfast incentive program.
In 2001, I increased the MAP grant for full-time undergraduate students and for part-time undergraduate students, providing aid for underprivileged students.
In 2009, I established the Illinois Hope and Opportunity Pathways through Education Program.
In 2021, I established legislation that created the Commission on Equity and Inclusion Act. It is crafted to expand access to a state contract for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans. It also assists the state in enhancing the equity and inclusion throughout its workforce.
In 2023, Lightford sponsored legislation that guarantees paid leave for all Illinois workers employed by businesses of any size.
Senator Kimberly A. Lightford has been busy at work for all Illinoisians. You can read more on the numerous pieces of legislation sponsored by her at: https://www.senatorlightford.com
Citizen: Why is education and issues surrounding children and their safety a platform you have taken on?
Senator Lightford: Education is the most important building block of everything in society – and providing children with high-quality education and support the moment they are born is vital.
Early childhood years are some of the most transformative years of a person’s life – yet often years that are overlooked. I have made it my mission to ensure these years aren’t just talked about – but they’re prioritized.
Citizen: How has Springfield changed since you were first elected in 1998?
Senator Lightford: At that time, I was the youngest person elected to the Illinois Senate. I was young, African American, and a female in a “good ole boys club.” When I first entered the Senate, the democrats were in the minority, and Margaret Smith and I were the only two African American females.
The presence of women has grown tremendously, we are the largest senate democratic caucus in the country and have become much more diverse and inclusive with members from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Citizen: What are you focusing on for this upcoming legislative session?
Senator Lightford: I will continue to advocate for a more equitable, fair and safe Illinois – that stems from increasing literacy to investing in community-based supports, and so much in between.
As legislators head back to Springfield in January of 2024, Senator Lightford goals are to focus legislatively on:
SB 1278 Grandparents as Caregivers
SB 1400 School Discipline Policies
SB 1401 Case Load Limits
SB 1723 Cannabis Regulation Tax Act
SB 2158 Housing Banishment for Sex Offenders
SB 376 The protection of children and families and the integrity of medical opinion in medically based child protection investigations.
HB 1375 Financial Literacy Education for high school students
HB 3421 Supplier Diversity Reports
HB 3606 Bep-Good Faith Effort
New Legislation:
SB 2589 Supplemental Disaster Relief
SB 2625 Liquor Infused Drinks
SB State Commission Employee Rules and Requirements
SB Second Revocation
SB Codification, Organization, and Cleanup
SB Third-Party Retail Delivery License
SB Birth Defects Warning Sign
SB 2031 Equity Based Report Card Trailer Bill
According to State Senator Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, she and her colleagues will continue to work together to make Illinois the best state in the nation to live.
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