The Latest Breaking News from Kimberly Lightford

School districts required to detail childhood trauma — and better address it — under new state law

The legislation also expands the Whole Child Task Force, which was created in 2021 to help define and improve trauma-responsive practices in Illinois schools — and to battle systemic racism. The goal is to give Illinois schools the training to identify warning signs of mental illness, trauma and…

Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 3, 2023

Democrats’ all-gender bathroom, gun lawsuit bills prompt heated debate — with GOP warnings of court challenges, violence

State Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Andalusia, told lawmakers that he would “beat the living p---” out of any man who walked into a restroom with his daughter. State Senate Majority Leader Kim Lightford said GOP critics “don’t understand that life is evolving.”

Chicago Sun-Times · May 19, 2023

Critics of the draft voting map for Chicago’s elected school board want a do-over

The map reflects the city’s demographics rather than the minority-heavy CPS student body. Lawmakers on Tuesday said it’s only a first draft.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 10, 2023