Preceded by Earlean Collins Role Legislator Name Kimberly Lightford | Occupation Public Administrator Political party Democratic Party Democratic Party | |
 | ||
Born May 10, 1968 (age 56)
Chicago, Illinois ( 1968-05-10 ) Alma mater Western Illinois University
University of Illinois Residence Maywood, Illinois, United States Education University of Illinois at Springfield, Proviso East High School, Western Illinois University | ||
Kimberly Lightford (born May 10, 1968) is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 4th district since 1998. She is Assistant Majority Leader and also serves on Labor, Education, Executive, Financial Institutions and Redistricting committees. She is also chair of the Senate Black Caucus and co-chair of the Illinois Commission of Intergovernmental Cooperation.
Biography
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.
In July 2016, the Illinois Senate passed a stop-gap temporary budget bill. Within a few minutes, Lightford addressed the Senate. In her remarks, she said that legislators needed to get paid for their work. Although the only body in Illinois responsible for the state budget is the state legislature, Lightford said, "And I think it’s wrong for our income to be held for months, and months, and months, which is another game that’s being played."