Your October Legislative Perspective!

Dear neighbor,

October is here – and while for some that means colorful leaves and festive drinks, for me it means heading down to Springfield for the fall veto session to continue the work we started in the spring.

Keep reading for an overview of the spring legislative session, as well as updates on what I’ve been up to in the community and resources to help you. As always, my office is available to help you access state resources, answer questions on legislation and more. Reach out by calling 708-632-4500 or sending me a message at www.SenatorLightford.com.

Sincerely,

Kimberly A. Lightford

State Senator | 4^th District

FROM THE CAPITOL

Putting an end to resident dumping

Resident dumping is a betrayal of trust at life's most vulnerable moment. I led a measure to put an end to the inhumane practice in which a nursing facility discharges a resident and refuses to readmit them after a hospital stay. Read more

Mending relations between Black and diaspora communities

Jan. 1 is an important day in Black history – confederate slave owners were mandated to free slaves at midnight on Jan. 1, 1893. I built upon her steadfast work to end systemic racism by recognizing Jan. 1, 2026 as Black Diaspora Freedom Day. Read more

Protecting survivors

Recognizing that financial abuse is a common tactic used by abusers to maintain control over victims, I led a measure through the Senate to prohibit collection agencies from collecting debt incurred through coercion. Read more

Working to bring menopause support

Many women – particularly those in underrepresented communities – endure untreated symptoms of menopause that negatively impact their quality of life. In turn, I am fighting for more critical access to care alongside Lt. Governor Stratton. Read more

Equitable Higher Education Conversation at CSU

I attended the ILBCF’s Listening Session at Chicago State University for Senate Bill 13 – the Equitable Higher Education Funding Formula that I am sponsoring and fighting for. Two knowledgeable speakers discussed the funding challenges facing Illinois colleges and universities.

The panel highlighted the importance of passing SB 13, drawing parallels to a similar bill for K-12 education. Two CSU honors students and the CEO of the Chatham Small Business Association participated, and we enjoyed a soul food meal in honor of Black History Month. I was thankful to receive praise from State Representative Carol Ammons, who thanked me for the work I have done on this bill. It was a pleasure to connect with fellow education champions.

Loyola Legislative Breakfast

I had a great time attending the first legislative breakfast at Loyola University Medical Center, where I joined Speaker Welch, Representative LaShawn K. Ford, Mayor Nathaniel G. Booker and Board Chair DeRondal Bevly. We discussed the key health care issues facing the state and explored ways to improve the health of Maywood

ILBCF Youth Civic Engagement Day 

I had the honor of joining hundreds of bright, passionate young leaders from across Illinois at the Illinois Black Caucus Foundation’s Youth Civic Engagement Day in Springfield. This annual event brings our youth into the heart of state government, giving them a chance to see how policy is made, how their voices matter, and how they can shape the future of their communities.

Illinois State University Legislative Breakfast

I was proud to join faculty, students, community leaders, and fellow legislators at the Illinois State University Legislative Breakfast in Springfield. That morning reaffirmed for me the vital role our public universities play not only in educating young people, but in driving economic growth, lifting up communities, and shaping the future of our state.

Acclivus at the State Capitol

I had the honor of participating in Acclivus Advocacy Day in Springfield. It was a powerful gathering uniting survivors, advocates, community leaders, and policy makers in a shared mission to confront violence and its aftermath, and to seek solutions rooted in healing, equity, and justice.

Delta Days

I was proud to stand alongside my Sorors, the women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., for Delta Days at the State Capitol, a signature advocacy event dedicated to advancing policy that uplifts our communities. Throughout the day, Sorors met with legislators, attended issue briefings, and advocated for meaningful change in areas like education equity, maternal health, economic development, and criminal justice reform. Our voices were informed, intentional, and impactful.

RESOURCES FOR YOU

Illinois launches new hotline, resource hub for LGBTQ+ community

Everyone deserves to live with dignity and pride. ILPrideConnect.org is here for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans in need of affirming support, resources and more. If you’re in need of help, visit their website or call 855-805-9200.

 

Lightford: ICE legislation is a shield for the vulnerable

SPRINGFIELD – State Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford backed legislation aimed at safeguarding the constitutional rights of Illinois residents and maintaining secure access to essential public services during increased federal immigration enforcement operations in Chicago and throughout Illinois.

“What we're seeing isn't just happening somewhere else: it’s happening right here, in Chicago and Broadview, in our schools, in our hospitals and in our neighborhoods,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This is not who we are. This is not what Illinois stands for.”

House Bill 1312 would allow Illinois residents to bring civil actions against any person who deprives them of their constitutional rights under the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, or Section 2 or Section 6 of Article 1 of the Illinois Constitution.

The bill would establish enhanced punitive damages for particularly egregious conduct, such as concealing identity with masks, failing to identify as law enforcement, not using body cameras, or deploying crowd-control weapons. It also would strengthen the Illinois Whistleblower Act to protect those who report violations and creates a 1,000-foot safe zone around courthouses with significant penalties for violations, including $10,000 in statutory damages.

The legislation further would require public colleges and universities to establish procedures for reviewing law enforcement access requests and would prohibit unauthorized disclosure of immigration status. Similarly, all Illinois hospitals would be required develop comprehensive policies for law enforcement interactions by early 2026, with $500 daily penalties for noncompliance. Licensed daycare centers would also be required to adopt policies for interacting with law enforcement, including parental notification and consent requirements before sharing children's information, while prohibiting disclosure of citizenship or immigration status unless legally required.

“When federal agents operate with masks and unmarked vehicles, when they turn hospitals into hunting grounds and schools into sites of fear, they aren't just violating the law - they're violating our most sacred values,” said Lightford. “This legislation is a shield for the vulnerable and a warning to those who think they can operate above our constitution.”

House Bill 1312 passed the Senate Thursday.

News You Should Know - SNAP Benefits

On Oct. 16, the U.S. Department of Agriculture informed states it will not fund the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program – also known as SNAP – unless the federal government reopens. This means a total of 1.9 million Illinois residents are at risk of losing food assistance benefits starting Nov. 1.

SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford nutritious food essential to their health and well-being.

Impacts on Illinois

• The lapse could strip benefits from our most vulnerable Illinoisans – from children to older adults to our unhoused population.
  • In Fiscal Year 2025, $4.7 billion in federal SNAP benefits were issued to Illinoisans, supporting over one million households, accounting for 1.9 million individuals total.
  • The state administers more than $350 million in SNAP benefits each month, funding that feeds families in every corner of the state.
• Data from the Food Research and Action Center on SNAP issuance in Illinois indicates that:
  • 44,217 veterans are participating in SNAP
  • 37% SNAP households have older adults
  • 45% SNAP households have children
  • 44% SNAP households have a person with a disability
• SNAP supports more than 18,000 jobs in Illinois, across both the grocery and other supporting industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and municipal services.
  • According to the National Grocer’s Association, SNAP supports nearly $1 billion in Illinois wages. This lapse could have far-reaching consequences for grocery stores and jobs as fewer SNAP dollars circulate in local economies. ​ 

Lightford calls for removal of Broadview ICE facility fence

BROADVIEW – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford joined state and local officials and concerned community members to demand the fence around a facility in Broadview housing people accused of being in the country illegally be taken down immediately.

“Broadview is a community that believes in the dignity of every person — regardless of where they were born, what they look like, or what language they speak,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “We believe that no one should live in fear, and no government agency should ever operate beyond the reach of the law or the light of truth.”

Lightford joined Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, among others, calling for the president to order the fence in front of the Broadview ICE facility to be taken down before a court-issued deadline of 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.

The fence was put up about three weeks ago by the Department of Homeland Security right in front of the ICE facility, and the fence is now restricting access to Beach Street. The Village of Broadview took DHS to federal court last week, and a judge agreed the fence must come down because it creates a public safety concern for first responders trying to access the area.

“To ICE — and to the president — hear this clearly: We will not stand by while you build walls to hide human suffering,” said Lightford. “We demand transparency. We demand accountability. And we demand that this fence be removed now.”