Kimberly Ann Lightford (born May 10, 1968) is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 4th district since 1998.
She is Senate 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.
Lightford attended Proviso East High School before going on to Western Illinois University, where she was initiated as a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
[2] After Illinois Senate President John Cullerton announced his retirement, Lightford became a candidate to replace him.