Lightford proposes more funding for educating reenrolled dropouts

• Education

SPRINGFIELD- Districts with high dropout rates could soon receive more funding to help retain students under a proposal led by Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) that was approved in the Senate Education Committee yesterday.

“There is a disincentive to re-enroll dropouts based on low attendance rates, and the resources to get students back on track are not available to guarantee their success,” Lightford said.

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Now accepting nominations for the 8th Annual Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Award Celebration

• Event

There are more than 274,891 grandparents in Illinois raising their grandchildren. Please nominate a grandparent that has demonstrated unselfish love and dedication to their grandchildren. The nominee will be honored at the 8th Annual Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Award Celebration, “Hollywood Parade of Stars.” The celebration will be held on Sunday May 7, 2017, at the Sheet Metal Workers' Local 73, 4550 W. Roosevelt Road, IL, 60162 from 3:00p.m. to 6:00p.m. All nominations must be received no later than Monday April 17, 2017. Please fax the completed nomination forms to (708) 343-7400 or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact us at (708) 343-7444.

Click here to download the nomination form.

Criminal Justice Symposium

• Black Caucus
• Event

Lightford proposal increases educational opportunities for minority teachers

• Education
• Higher Education

SPRINGFIELD — Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) moved a proposal expanding eligibility for the Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship program out of committee yesterday.

Senate Bill 1739 allows licensed teachers pursuing additional teaching endorsements or a master’s degree in an academic field related to the subject they currently teach or plan to teach to apply for the MTI scholarship.

“Minority students have better academic outcomes when taught by someone who also belongs to a racial or ethnic minority. Furthermore, increasing the number of teachers who can offer courses that award college credit creates a path for students from high school to college to career,” Lightford said.

Recipients can get up to $5,000 a year toward their college tuition. Those who receive the grant are required to make a commitment to teach for a minimum of five years in an Illinois school where at least 30 percent of students are identified as minority students.

The legislation will now head to the full Senate for consideration.