Illinois State Senate District 4

Kimberly A. Lightford has been a vocal champion for her strongest passions: promoting quality education, advocating for quality healthcare and providing support for working families. In January 2019, she made history when she became the first Black woman to serve as Illinois’ Senate Majority Leader.
Lightford became assistant majority leader in 2009 and enhanced her role as an advocate for education reform. Leader Lightford has served on the Senate Education Committee for 21 years as either a sitting member, Vice Chair or Chair. Her expertise positioned her as the top negotiator on the legislation developed as a part of President Obama’s Race to the Top program, leading to the establishment of stronger methods of evaluating teachers and tracking student progress. Lightford earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois and her master’s in Public Administration from the University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana.