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State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford partnered with Introspect Youth Services to host her second "Connect with Your Future" College Fair. All Illinois public universities were present, as well as Triton College and City Colleges of Chicago. Senator Lightford welcomed Roosevelt University and Robert Morris University as new additions this year.

The fair had a huge turnout. Many parents approached Senator Lightford to thank her for having the fair. They said how beneficial it was to have private consultation with the representatives. Many students also chimed in and said the college fair was extremely informational and useful for them.

The presentations provided by Performing Community Solutions (money management), Illinois Board of Higher Education (establishing the curriculum for Illinois state universities & consumer protection), Illinois Student Assistance Commission (FAFSA completion and state financial aid), City Colleges of Chicago (Chicago community colleges), and Northern Illinois University (CHANCE program) were heavily attended and a large part of the fair's success.

Senator Lightford is excited and looking forward to hosting her third college fair in 2014.

On April 21, Senator Lightford hosted the fifth annual Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Rainbow Tea Celebration. The event was a huge success, and recognition was given to more than 100 grandparents who exemplify the courage to face the challenges of caring for their grandchildren while striving to keep their families together.

Members of Senator Lightford's 4th District Women's and Gentlemen's Committees were on hand early in the day to set up. Guests arrived and were welcomed into the beautifully decorated room. Guests enjoyed food, drink and entertainment, and beautiful gifts were raffled. Senator Lightford thanked the grandparents for their dedication to their families and their communities.

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Senator Lightford and the 4th District Gentleman's Committee hosted their third "Mammograms for Mother's Day" on Saturday, May 11. Senator Lightford is committed to decreasing breast cancer deaths by encouraging early detection.

Nurses from Loyola University Medical Center and Loretto Hospital, along with Lightford's 4th District Gentlemen's Committee, visited beauty salons day before Mother's Day.

The Gentlemen's Committee and nurse educators talked about the importance of breast exams and mammograms and distributed over 300 bags of educational materials and small gifts such as keychains and back massagers.

The Illinois Senate recently passed a spending plan for next fiscal year that includes an additional $155 million more for education than what is being spent in the current budget. The governor's proposed cuts to General State Aid were roundly rejected but even with the added money, Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford believes more still needs to be done.

Education funding for the next budget year is at an 89 percent proration level, and Lightford says she will continue to push for ending the embarrassing practice of proration and restoring education funding to its proper 100 percent level.

Last week, Lightford made a powerful argument for properly funding education during debate of the budget on the Senate floor. You can listen below.

If the player isn't visible, click here for the audio file.