Lightford announces $700 thosand for Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program in the 4th district

• Pre-Apprenticeship
• Illinois Works
• Chicago

CHICAGO – Thanks to the support of Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, two organizations received more than $700,000 to expand their programming as part of the $13 million Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship program.

“Illinois Works is a program that gives residents new opportunities to learn skills they would not have had access to before, and helps eliminate the barriers women and people of color often face in the job hunt,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “I look forward to seeing programs across the state receive funds to increase their outreach and ability to educate those who are often forgotten.”

Chicago Women in Trades has been awarded $500,352.44 to assist with expanding and broadening access to its pre-apprenticeship programs. Chicago Women in Trades has supported women in the area for over 40 years, and advocates for and trains women in new careers to foster change within industries. Lumity – a STEM nonprofit organization in Lightford’s district that fosters education for under-resourced students – received $200,000 as part of the program.

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Lightford announces recipients Lead Service Line Replacement grants

• Grants
• IEPA
• Lead Service Line Replacement
• Fresh Water

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford is happy to announce that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has awarded grants to 48 communities in need of lead service line replacements, including a $50,000 grant to Melrose Park.

“This program will support communities with the necessary fund to identify and map out the types of water lines that exist in their drinking water supply,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “By creating a full inventory of our lead lines in Illinois, we can target areas where replacements are needed most, and continue to work with communities to improve drinking water across the state.”

Melrose Park distributes water to six different public water systems in the area which include Bellwood, Maywood, Stone Park, Northlake, Hillside Berkeley Water Commission, and Leyden Township Water District.

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Lightford hopeful with commitment to fund early education and assist marginalized communities

• Budget
• Video
• Education
• Early Childhood

SPRINGFIELD - In response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget address today, State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) issued the following statement:

“We need to make education more of a priority in Illinois and after hearing Gov’ Pritzker’s proposed budget follow through on education support for Illinois families, I am hopeful for the future of our students.

“Children’s destinies begin at birth, making it vital that education is prioritized from then until college. As a General Assembly, we will do what is right by the people of Illinois and continue to fight for equitable funding and access to education. I share in the governor’s enthusiasm for providing our youth with greater opportunities for success – from investing in early childhood education to ensuring our schools are fully funded.

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Legislative leaders, governor announce support of guaranteed paid leave for workers

• Guarantee paid leave
• Illinois Workers
• Employers
• SB 208

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker, House Speaker Pro Tempore Jehan Gordon-Booth and Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford issued a joint statement Tuesday supporting legislation that will guarantee paid leave for all Illinois workers:

“Whether it’s dealing with a sudden family illness or an emergency auto repair, sometimes life gets in the way of work. Paid leave will have a significant, positive impact on the lives of residents across our state, and underscores our commitment to uplifting working families. We appreciate the work put into this from all stakeholders, including business and labor, to bring us to this moment.”

Key components of Senate Bill 208 include:

• All employers will be required to provide their employees with a minimum of 40 hours (or five days) of paid leave per year to be used for any reason. Employers may choose to offer more paid leave time.

• A worker would begin to earn paid leave on their first day of their employment at a rate of one hour of leave for every 40 hours worked.

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