Lightford measure to prioritize community safety amid federal immigration activity

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is spearheading legislation to ensure federal immigration detention centers cannot be constructed, operated or located within 1,500 feet of protected locations – such as schools, day care centers, places of worship and private residences.

“Protecting areas where children and families frequent from federal government overreach is imperative for community safety,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Through this measure, Illinois is sending a clear message that we will not stand for federal immigration operations compromising our residents’ quality of life.”

House Bill 5024 comes in light of federal immigration activity and enforcement that began in late 2025 in Broadview – a community Lightford represents – where Illinois’ only immigration detention center is located. Residents and immigrants detained in the Broadview Processing Center recounted inhumane conditions, poor ventilation and cramped cells, as well as civil rights violations, such as a lack of access to lawyers, leading to a plethora of protests led by community members outside the facility.

Lightford’s proposal would prohibit the federal government from operating a new immigration detention center within 1,500 feet of certain locations, including schools, day care centers, cemeteries, public parks, public housing, private residences and places of worship, ensuring the chaos and trauma residents across Broadview faced during Operation Midway Blitz does not occur across other Illinois communities.

“As the federal government continues their attempts to ensue pandemonium in residential and community areas, lawmakers in Illinois are going to take a stand to protect our constituents,” said Lightford. “Our communities are meant to provide us with feelings of support and security, but we cannot ensure the safety of our residents if the federal government can come into our neighborhoods and place detention centers on any available corner.”

House Bill 5024 passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

Lightford calls for more revenue for older adults, caregivers

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford knows what it takes to be a caregiver for a senior after taking care of her mother for many years. Despite Lightford having the support and resources to care for her mother, it was incredibly difficult to do so.

She acknowledges not everyone has the same support, and therefore face even more struggles – leading her to fight for more revenue for older adults and their caregivers.

“I know what it means to rearrange your life around someone you love, managing medications, doctor’s visits and sleepless nights,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “I know what it is like to show up every day – not because someone is paying you, but because you love the person. And I know what it means to do all of that while stretching a budget that was already too thin.”

Lightford was joined by the Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging and a number of other advocates and stakeholders at a press conference Wednesday to recognize the critical need to provide greater investments in the essential services that allow Illinoisans to age with dignity in their own homes. 

The reaction comes in response to increasing costs in food, labor and fuel, and a need to ensure older adults aren’t burdened with reduced meal delivery, caregiver burnout and waitlists being implemented across the state.

Additionally, with approaching reductions in SNAP benefits, many older adults will be at significantly higher risk of food insecurity, placing urgent pressure on already strained nutrition programs. Family caregivers will also be at increased risk, as SNAP reductions strain already tight household food budgets and new work requirements may force some caregivers to choose between employment and providing care for their loved ones.

“With SNAP reductions on the horizon, families who are already stretched thin will be forced to make impossible choices – between keeping a job and providing care,” said Lightford. “Older adults and caregivers alike deserve support that reflects the value they bring to our communities.”

Lightford will continue to advocate for additional revenue streams for older adults and their caregivers.

Lightford to bring more protections to assisted living residents

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is working to close a critical gap in law by extending mandatory abuse and neglect reporting requirements to cover all senior residential settings.

“Every older adult in Illinois deserves to live with dignity, safety and respect, regardless of where they call home,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This legislation ensures that seniors in assisted living facilities and group homes receive the same protections as those in traditional long-term care facilities. By closing this gap in our reporting requirements, we're taking an important step to prevent elder abuse and hold facilities accountable.”

Under current law, if staff of a long-term care facility believes an older adult is being subjected to abuse or neglect, they must report such abuse to the Illinois Department of Public Health. However, long-term care facilities do not include assisted living facilities or group homes.

Senate Bill 3179 would expand the requirement to such areas, ensuring older adults receive proper care and aren’t abused – regardless of their living situation.

The legislation comes at a critical time as Illinois' senior population continues to grow, with more older adults choosing assisted living facilities and group homes as alternatives to traditional nursing homes.

“No senior should suffer in silence," said Lightford. “This bill empowers staff to speak up when they witness abuse or neglect and ensures that appropriate authorities can investigate and intervene to protect our most vulnerable residents.”

Senate Bill 3179 passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

Lightford: Education funding is an investment in tomorrow

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement in response the governor outlining his proposal for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget:

“As we shape our state's budget, we must focus on policies that improve life for all Illinois residents, tackle our communities' most pressing challenges and build lasting economic strength. Funding to continue to create the Illinois Department of Early Childhood represents our commitment to a comprehensive, trauma-informed system that addresses the varied needs of our youngest citizens.

"Education funding is an investment in tomorrow. I remain committed to increasing K-12 education resources so every student can access quality-learning opportunities. This means directing adequate support to under-resourced schools and backing programs that close achievement gaps.

“While I am proud to see the governor’s proposed budget prioritize education, more must be done. That is why I am calling for funding to make our higher education system for fair and equitable. Education isn't just one stage of life. It's a continuum – from early childhood through college and beyond. We need to fund it that way – which I will fight for this funding throughout the budget process.”