Lightford highlights investment in Access to Justice Grant program

• Budget
• Human Services
• Criminal Justice

SPRINGFIELD – Low-income and immigrant populations across Illinois will soon have access to legal representation under the state’s newly enacted spending plan.

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) spearheaded the investment that was sparked by an initiative presented earlier this session.

“Some of our most vulnerable populations are getting lost in a justice system that is, by design, difficult for them to navigate,” Lightford said. “Providing support for families who need legal services not only serves them, but also keeps us from incarcerating people who could be helped in a different way.”

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Lightford applauds disciplined budget, offering fair tax rates

• Budget
• Fair Tax

CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker signed the state budget and fair tax legislation on Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) reacted with the following:

“After four very long years, it is refreshing to deliver a budget that meets the needs of our state with a disciplined and realistic approach. We prioritized education from early childhood to higher education, and strengthened our safety-net services to provide a hand up to struggling families.

“Also, I am excited to give voters the opportunity to decide whether our state should implement a fair tax, and just as important, provide them a picture of what tax rates would look like if they approve it.”

Lightford fights for women’s reproductive healthcare

• Women's Rights

SPRINGFIELD – To protect women across Illinois’ access to healthcare, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) supported a measure that passed the Senate.

“Women across the country are living in fear that their rights to reproductive healthcare will be stripped away,” Lightford said. “As for Illinois, we are standing up to protect our women and families at a time when the White House has no interest in the wellbeing of women.”

The Reproductive Health Act does the following:

• restricts the State’s ability to deny a person’s reproductive healthcare decision,
• repeals felony and disciplinary penalties imposed on doctors offering abortions,
• prohibits a husband from obtaining an injunction to prevent his wife from having an abortion,
• permits burial or cremation after a miscarriage or abortion, and
• requires insurance companies to cover abortions.

Senate Bill 25 was drafted in response to 20 cases awaiting a hearing before the Supreme Court that aim to weaken or overrule Roe v. Wade. Those cases could be heard during the court’s next term, which begins on October 7.

Lightford calls for teaching consent in schools

• Education

SPRINGFIELD – Students across Illinois could soon have consent taught as a part of their sex education curriculum. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) passed House Bill 3550 through the Senate on Wednesday.

“The stigma of being sexually assaulted has kept so many victims silent for decades,” Lightford said. “Teaching consent helps young people establish boundaries and feel empowered to speak out against an abuser.”

The legislation requires students in grades 6-12 to learn the meaning of consent and how to respect personal boundaries. Under current law, consent is briefly mentioned in the School Code, but no definition or guidance is provided.

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