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SPONSORED LEGISLATION
HB3147 - SCHOOLS-READING AND LITERACY
Laura Faver Dias, Mary E. Flowers, Theresa Mah
Last updated over 1 year ago
17 Co-Sponsors
Creates the Literary and Justice for All Act. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt and make available to school districts a rubric by which districts may evaluate curricula and select and implement core reading instruction programs, a template to develop literacy plans, and guidance. Requires the State Board to develop training opportunities in teaching reading and a comprehensive literacy plan for this State. Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program, the requirements to receive a Professional Educator License, taking a test in reading foundations for certain licensure, and the requirements for educators trained in other states or counties. Effective immediately.
STATUS
Engrossed
SB2244 - SCH CD-READ BLOCK GRANT PROGRM
Kimberly A. Lightford, Christopher Belt, Willie Preston
Last updated over 1 year ago
3 Co-Sponsors
Amends the School Code. With respect to the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program, removes language that provides that the State Board of Education may distribute an amount not to exceed 2% of the moneys appropriated for the Program for the purpose of providing teacher training and re-training in the teaching of reading. Provides that if the appropriation for the Program for a given fiscal year is less than $15,000,000, then the State Board shall limit eligibility to certain school districts and shall impose additional eligibility criteria to limit the number of approved applicants to a cohort sufficient for each selected district to provide adequate training and ongoing coaching support to each teacher of students in grades K through 2 and special education teachers and evidence-based curriculum investments. Removes language that provides that programs provided with grant funds shall not replace quality classroom reading instruction. Provides that Program funds may be used for grades K through 6 to provide both evidence-based, high-quality core literacy curriculum materials that consider the unique needs of English learners for concurrent oral language practice and high-quality screening assessments designed to inform instruction in English language arts and literacy for students (instead of classroom reading materials for students). Sets forth other provisions concerning if the appropriation is less than $15,000,000 or is at least $15,000,000.
STATUS
Introduced
HB3740 - HIGHER ED-INCARCERATED STUDENT
Carol Ammons, Lindsey LaPointe, Will Guzzardi
Last updated over 1 year ago
19 Co-Sponsors
Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. In the definitions of "institution of higher learning", "qualified institution", and "institution", provides that the exclusion of academic programs for incarcerated students does not apply to the monetary award program. Provides for a July 1, 2024 effective date.
STATUS
Engrossed
HB3414 - JUV CT&CD CORR-MINOR-PROSECUTE
Lilian Jimenez, Maurice A. West, Kelly M. Cassidy
Last updated about 1 year ago
24 Co-Sponsors
Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that the judge shall enter an order permitting prosecution under the criminal laws of Illinois unless the judge makes a finding based on clear and convincing evidence that the minor would be amenable to the care, treatment, and training programs available through the facilities of the juvenile court based on an evaluation of: (1) any involvement of the minor in the child welfare system, (2) whether there is evidence the minor was subjected to outside pressure, including peer pressure, familial pressure, or negative influences, and (3) the minor's degree of participation and specific role in the offense. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that when a person commits an offense and the person is under 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the offense, the court, at the sentencing hearing shall consider the following additional factors in mitigation in determining the appropriate sentence: (1) the person's family, home environment, educational and social background, including any history of domestic or sexual violence or sexual exploitation; (2) childhood trauma, including adverse childhood experiences, the person's involvement in the child welfare system; (3) involvement of the person in the community; (4) if a comprehensive mental health evaluation of the person was conducted by a qualified mental health professional; and (5) the outcome of the evaluation. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the individual against whom the person is convicted of committing the offense previously committed certain human trafficking or sex crimes against the person within 3 years before the offense in which the person was convicted, the court may, in its discretion: (1) transfer the person to juvenile court for sentencing under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987; (2) depart from any mandatory minimum sentence, maximum sentence, or sentencing enhancement; or (3) suspend any portion of an otherwise applicable sentence.
STATUS
Passed
HB3442 - SCH CD-SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
Fred Crespo, Matt Hanson, Camille Lilly
Last updated about 1 year ago
21 Co-Sponsors
Reinserts the contents of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that a district may continue to employ that same substitute teacher in that same vacant position for 90 calendar days or until the end of the semester, whichever is greater, if, prior to the expiration of the 30-calendar-day period then current, the district files a written request with the appropriate regional office of education for a 30-calendar-day extension on the basis that the position remains vacant and the district continues to actively seek qualified candidates and provides documentation that it has provided training specific to the position, including training on meeting the needs of students with disabilities and English learners if applicable (instead of a district may continue to employ that same substitute teacher in that same vacant position for one or more additional 30 calendar day periods if, prior to the expiration of the then-current 30 calendar day period, the district files a written request with the appropriate regional office of education for a 30 calendar day extension on the basis that the position remains vacant and the district continues to actively seek qualified candidates). Provides that each extension request shall be granted in writing (instead of shall be deemed granted unless denied in writing) by the regional office of education. Restores current law to provide that an emergency situation is one in which an unforeseen vacancy (instead of a vacancy) has occurred.
STATUS
Passed
HB3116 - SCH CD-STAFF TRAINING-HOMELESS
Katie Stuart, Michelle Mussman, Kelly M. Cassidy
Last updated over 1 year ago
28 Co-Sponsors
Reinserts the introduced bill and adds an August 20, 2024 effective date.
STATUS
Passed
SR0097 - MEMORIAL-EDWARD HOGAN
Kimberly A. Lightford
Last updated over 1 year ago
1 Co-Sponsor
Mourns the death of Edward M. "Ed" Hogan.
STATUS
Passed
HB3648 - HIGHER EDUCATION IN PRISON
Carol Ammons, LaShawn K. Ford, Cyril Nichols
Last updated about 1 year ago
23 Co-Sponsors
Creates the Higher Education in Prison Act. Provides that on or before September 1 of the year following the effective date of the Act and each subsequent September 1, the Department of Corrections shall release a report, to be published on the Department of Corrections's Internet website, detailing certain information pertaining to higher education within Department institutions and facilities. Requires the report to be filed with the Governor and General Assembly. Provides that the data provided in the report shall include an aggregate chart at the Department level and individual reports by each correctional institution or facility of the Department of Corrections. Provides that on or before September 1 of the year following the effective date of the Act and each subsequent September 1, each college and university that provides academic programs for committed persons shall report to the Board of Higher Education on enrollment, retention, completion, and student demographics, including race, ethnicity, age, and gender of committed students. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall compile the information and, within 60 days after receipt of such information, issue a report reflecting the information for each institution required to report. Provides that the report must be filed with the Governor and General Assembly and made publicly available on the Board of Higher Education's Internet website.
STATUS
Passed
SR0303 - MEMORIAL-MELVIN LIGHTFORD III
Kimberly A. Lightford
Last updated over 1 year ago
1 Co-Sponsor
Mourns the death of Melvin Leon "Trés" Lightford III.
STATUS
Passed
SB2625 - LIQUOR-DISPLAY OF PRODUCTS
Kimberly A. Lightford, Julie A. Morrison, Willie Preston
Last updated about 1 month ago
17 Co-Sponsors
Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that "alcoholic liquor" includes alcohol-infused products. Defines "alcohol-infused products" and "co-branded alcoholic beverage". Provides that, except for persons issued a license under the Act, no person shall manufacture, distribute, or sell alcohol-infused products. Provides that no retail establishment with a retail sales floor that exceeds 2,500 square feet shall display alcohol-infused products immediately adjacent to similar products that are not alcohol-infused products or immediately adjacent to soft drinks, fruit juices, bottled waters, candies, or snack foods portraying cartoons or youth-oriented images. Provides that no retail establishment with a retail sales floor area that exceeds 2,500 square feet shall display co-branded alcoholic beverages immediately adjacent to soft drinks, fruit juices, bottled waters, candies, or snack foods portraying cartoons or youth-oriented images or immediately adjacent to products that are not alcohol-infused products. Provides that any retail establishment with a retail sales floor that is equal to or less than 2,500 square feet shall either not display alcohol-infused products or co-branded alcoholic beverages immediately adjacent to specified products or equip the display with specified signage. Prohibits retail licensees from keeping, exposing for sale, or displaying alcohol-infused products immediately adjacent to products marketed toward children.
STATUS
Passed
BIOGRAPHY
INCUMBENT
Senator from Illinois district SD-004
COMMITTEES
Illinois Senate
BIRTH
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ABOUT
Kimberly A. Lightford is a Democratic member of the Illinois State Senate, representing District 4. Senator Lightford was appointed to the Illinois Senate in 1998. She serves as Majority Leader. Senator Lightford earned her BA in Healthcare Administration from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and her MPA from the Illinois Institute of Technology. She is married and has two children.read less
OFFICES HELD
Illinois Senate from Illinois
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