Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – Following years of tireless advocacy, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford passed a sweeping measure that brings comprehensive regulation to Illinois' hemp marketplace and makes long-sought improvements to the state's cannabis laws for patients, small businesses and social equity licensees.

"For years I have fought to bring order, equity and commonsense to these markets — and today, working hand in hand with our colleagues in the House, we delivered,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This bill is about protecting people, keeping promises and making sure Illinois remains a national leader.”

Senate Bill 3222 would establish mandatory licensing and uniform standards for CBD manufacturers while creating a responsible transition path for hemp businesses entering the licensed cannabis market, with at least 45 infuser licenses reserved for social equity applicants.

SPRINGFIELD – Following years of steadfast advocacy and negotiations, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is leading Senate Bill 20 – a measure that brings critical consumer protections to Illinois’ hemp-derived CBD marketplace.

“From protecting a grandmother buying CBD oil for arthritis, to making sure a social equity transporter can build a real business, to guarding underage youth from harmful products — this bill is simply about people,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Effective regulation is about safeguarding public health and fostering a sustainable, trustworthy market.”

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.”

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.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford and State Representative Carol Ammons are fighting to transform how Illinois funds its higher education system through legislation that would take a student-centered approach. 

“Despite education’s paramount importance, the disparity in funding among higher educational institutions remains dreadfully evident,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This imbalance not only undermines the principle of equal opportunity but also hampers our collective progress as a society.”

Lightford and Ammons were instrumental in creating the Commission on Equitable Public University Funding in 2021. Over the years, the 30-person commission studied if public institutions of higher education are in dire need of a new funding model when serving underrepresented and historically underserved student groups, including Black and Brown students, as well as students from low-income families.

SPRINGFIELD – Building upon her decades of advocacy to combat the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic in Black communities, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is pushing for $15 million to help bring greater resources to disadvantaged communities.

“African Americans represent a fraction of Illinois' population, yet we bear a vastly disproportionate burden of new HIV diagnoses,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Our mothers, our brothers and our neighbors are dying at rates that should outrage every person.”

MAYWOOD – Standing alongside Governor JB Pritzker and leaders from Black Men United, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford and Senator Lakesia Collins proudly cut the ribbon on a new affordable housing unit for low-income families in Maywood.

“The new Maywood facility is a building of hope and opportunities for families who will now have a safe, affordable place to call home,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “The building symbolizes the power of what happens when we invest in our communities and believe in our capacity to create change.”

Collins and Lightford secured $2.5 million in state funding through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for Black Men United – a national community service organization that focuses on the restoration and rebuilding of Black communities across America under the leadership of Black men – to purchase the property.

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.