Illinois lawmakers send education reform bill to Gov. JB Pritzker
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CHICAGO (WLS) Illinois lawmakers are working to make changes to the state s education system, including the way Black history lessons are taught in schools.
Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D- IL 4th District) said the education reform bill ensures that Black children have the tools to reach their potential. I believe children in our future will have far better opportunities to receive a quality education than we did, Lightford said.
The legislation calls for new early childhood education programs. We want to make sure children are assessed when they arrive so that we can know what their needs are, and if those needs are requiring early interventions, Lightford said.
State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, gets an elbow bump from state Rep. André Thapedi, D-Chicago, after passage of the Illinois Black Caucus’ Education Pillar during the lame-duck session for the Illinois House of Representatives held at the Bank of Springfield Center on Monday.
Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP
SPRINGFIELD Lawmakers sent a bill designed to address racial inequities in education and the resulting divisions to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk on Monday, while a second crucial pillar of the state’s Legislative Black Caucus agenda criminal justice reform was discussed in a House committee.
On the fourth day of the lame duck legislative session, state Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, spoke on behalf of the education component of the Black Caucus’ omnibus bill.