Kimberly A. Lightford

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Kimberly A. Lightford
Kimberly A. Lightford
Member of the Illinois State Senate
from the 4th district
In office
1998 -
Born May 10, 1968 (1968-05-10) (age 40)
Chicago, Illinois
Political party Democratic
Profession public administration

Kimberly A. Lightford is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 4th district since 1998. She is the Chairperson of Education and also serves on Senate Higher Education, Senate Financial Institutions, Senate Labor, and Appropriations I committees. She is also chair of the Senate Black Caucus and co-chair of the Illinois Commission of Intergovernmental Cooperation.

Lightford is best known for her sponsorship of the Moment of Silence Bill (Senate Bill 1463) mandating all public schools in Illinois to set aside a moment of silence for reflection or prayer at the start of every day.[1] This was previously optional. In March 2008 she filed as chief sponsor of John Fritchey's popular House Bill 4180, introduced to reverse the law and once again make this optional, in order to block it in the Senate.[2]

Lightford has sponsored legislation to assist state workers by requiring all state agencies to notify the Department of Human Rights 30 days before affecting any layoff. This legislation allows state employees who are targeted for layoffs to receive the same assistance that is now provided to employees in the private sector.

Lightford attended Proviso East High School before going on to Western Illinois University and earning a Master's degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Illinois at Springfield. She also completed an internship with the Illinois Department of Corrections. After graduation, she accepted a position with the Department of Corrections in Chicago. She successfully ran for Maywood Village Trustee after encouragement from her state representative. When State Senator Earlean Collins announced plans to retire, Lightford was elected in March 1998 and began serving in November, two months before the traditional inauguration, when Collins retired.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Senate Bill 1463
  2. ^ House Bill 4180

[edit] External links