CHICAGO – To help adults and youth who have suffered job losses during the pandemic, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) recently announced $20 million will go toward workforce recovery efforts through the American Rescue Plan Act Job Training and Economic Development Program.

“As the result of an unprecedented global pandemic, investments in workforce training have never been more important for our communities, our people and our economy,” Lightford said. “I’m proud to join Gov. Pritzker in announcing the next steps to guide our continued economic recovery with investments that will put more people back to work. I look forward to heading up the work of the commission so that we can close the equity gap that has for too long shut residents out and bring more Illinoisans into not just jobs, but permanent career paths.”

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SPRINGFIELD – As clean energy is the path to a safer environment, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) supported historic energy legislation that would create and preserve tens of thousands of clean energy jobs and help promote an equitable workforce.   

“This legislation is historic for Illinois and will jumpstart more sustainable, diverse energy jobs,” Lightford said. “It helps tackle our world’s number one issue, climate change, and leads us to a cleaner and safer future. “ 

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MAYWOOD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) attended a memorial and classroom dedication for Fred Hampton at Proviso East High School.

“Fred Hampton was a fallen angel who life was taken from us too soon, but his revolution still lives within us,” Lightford said. “Hampton’s legacy is something Maywood residents should always remember, because he spoke for the oppressed Black and Brown families who live in the community today.”

Fred Hampton accomplished much before being tragically gunned down in his sleep at the age of 21. He founded the Rainbow Coalition, expanded free breakfast programs across Chicago, and opened a free health clinic.

Proviso East High School hosted a memorial service for Fred Hampton in their auditorium, where many community leaders spoke about his legacy. The institution also dedicated their social room in his honor, which will now be called the Chairman Fredrick A. Hampton Social Justice Room.

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SPRINGFIELD – Survivors of sexual assault will now have more privacy from the public because of a new law sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood).

“Sexual assault survivors deserve to withhold the details of their traumatic experience, Lightford said. “Now they will have the right to share their stories when they are ready, and no one else will be able to tell them first.”

Senate Bill 2339 clarifies that anyone seeking to inspect or copy court records relating to a child survivor of sexual crimes must get a court order, with reasonable exceptions for people who play a legitimate role in the judicial process. The law, which is supported by the circuit court of Cook County, closes a loophole that prevents them from excluding identities when releasing certain court records.

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