Lightford hosts 16th annual back to school event at Brookfield Zoo

BROOKFIELD – For the 16^th year in a row, Senate Majority Kimberly A. Lightford will be hosting a back to school event at the Brookfield Zoo, which includes free backpacks, food, admission to the zoo and more.

“It has been my mission throughout my career to ensure every child is fully prepared and emotionally equipped for the upcoming school year,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “There’s no better way to kick off the school year than a fun-filled day at the zoo.”

Students and their families can join Lightford on Sunday, Aug. 3 for a free day at the zoo – which also includes free school supplies, food and more for students in pre-K to college. The event runs from 2-4 p.m. with registration starting at 1 p.m.

Since 2009, Lightford has hosted a free back to school event for youth and families in the 4th Senate District at the Brookfield Zoo.

People with questions can call her office at 708-632-4500.

Lightford celebrates unveiling of Children’s Adversity Index to measure exposure to childhood trauma

CHICAGO – Building off her success in leading a whole-child, trauma-informed approach to helping youth, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is celebrating the launch of the Children’s Adversity Index – a pivotal step in identifying and addressing systemic challenges impacting communities statewide.

"The Children's Adversity Index represents exactly the kind of comprehensive, data-driven approach we need to tackle the complex challenges facing Illinois families. By mapping adversity across our communities and identifying where resources are most needed, we're moving beyond treating symptoms to addressing root causes,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This tool will be invaluable as we work to ensure every child in Illinois has the support they need to thrive, regardless of their ZIP code.”

As part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ Four Pillar Agenda in 2021, Lightford created the Whole Child Task Force to analyze statewide data related to childhood trauma exposure. The group outlined its report in 2022, which included the need for the Child Adversity Index – a comprehensive, data-driven perspective on adverse community conditions affecting Illinois youth. Its creation became law in 2023 and came to fruition this month.

The index – which takes into account community risk trajectories, unmet needs and barriers to economic progress – compares trauma exposure levels of each Illinois community to others and to the state average to inform state action to address childhood trauma. Interactive maps illustrate the distribution of adversity across Illinois. A statewide map displays each community’s overall exposure level, while separate maps for each domain provide a more detailed view of community-specific trauma exposure.

Policymakers, service providers, and state- and regional-level leaders across sectors will be able to use this data to take meaningful action to expand and tailor services to meet community-specific needs and ensure financial resources, including public and private grant dollars, and programming are prioritized for communities facing the highest levels of trauma exposure.

The index underscores the relationship between adverse community conditions and childhood trauma. It is used to evaluate communitywide data to analyze adverse incidents and environmental conditions that contribute to trauma exposure.

“The Children’s Adversity Index shines a light on the contextual factors that are essential to understanding barriers and opportunities in the communities that surround our schools,” said Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Chief Officer Dr. Dana Weiner. “The collaborative process for developing the Index with state and local partners alongside experts in child development and trauma provides a model approach for pursuing rigorous, data-informed systems change." 

To access the live index, related data and further information, people can visit www.isbe.net/adversityindex​.

Lightford: Libraries are the gateway to opportunity

MAYWOOD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford secured a combined $200,000 for local libraries to enhance services and programming for residents.

"Libraries are the cornerstone of our communities and the gateway to opportunity,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “In our libraries, children discover the joy of reading, adults gain new skills for changing careers, and families find a safe space to come together. When we invest in our libraries, we invest in literacy, we invest in community, and we invest in the future of Illinois."

Through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants program, 639 public libraries statewide will receive nearly $18 million in grants. Libraries may use the funds to support resources and services for their communities, including books, e-books, online resources and internet access, personnel, public programming and capital expenditures.

• Bellwood Public Library: $27,713
• Berkeley Public Library: $7,873
• Broadview Public Library District: $11,797
• Forest Park Public Library: $21,150
• Hillside Public Library: $12,272
• La Grange Public Library: $24,073
• La Grange Park Public Library District: $19,924
• Maywood Public Library District: $34,762
• Oak Brook Public Library: $12,040
• Westchester Public Library: $24,915

More information on available library grants can be found here.

Lightford encourages people to celebrate Juneteenth

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford championed legislation in 2021 to ensure that the people of Illinois understood that Black history is American history. This year she is building upon that monumental measure by encouraging people to celebrate Juneteenth and reminding them of the reason for the holiday.

“Juneteenth being a state holiday reminds us that freedom and racial equality have always been a hard-fought battle for Black Americans,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This day gives everyone an opportunity to celebrate Black culture, Black achievements, and learn more about Black history.”

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which established that all enslaved people in Confederate states were forever free. However, it was not until two years later in June of 1865 that federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the proclamation freeing the last of slaves in the United States.

In 2021, Lightford championed House Bill 3922, which established June 19 as a state holiday for Juneteenth National Freedom Day. It is now a paid day off holiday for all state employees, as well as a federal holiday.

Today, Juneteenth has grown from the celebration of the abolition of slavery into a celebration of Black arts, culture, and the impacts of the civil rights movement throughout the country.

“The struggle for our people to achieve full equity in Illinois and across the nation continues still to this day,” Lightford said. “Juneteenth recognizes our accomplishments, our achievements, our culture, and reminds us that our fight is not over.”