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 20 years as either a sitting member, Vice Chair or Chairman. 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.

In addition to promoting a progressive legislative agenda, Leader Lightford has single-handedly fought for 15 years to rebuild an inner city not-for-profit hospital in one of the lowest income communities in Chicago. The hospital named their emergency department The Kimberly A. Lightford Emergency Department.

Leader Lightford has been a positive force for change in her district. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Proviso-Leyden Council for Community Action, Inc., Loretto Hospital, and the Boys and Girls Club of West Cook County. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Leader Lightford holds a bachelor's degree in public communications from Western Illinois University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield. She gained extensive management experience working at the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Illinois Secretary of State's office.

Since1998, she has represented the 4th Senate District which includes more than a dozen suburban communities in western Cook County and the Austin community area on Chicago's West Side.

Senator Lightford serves as the Chairman of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. She resides with her family in Maywood.

Voices of Change Award, 2017 Excellence in Public Service Award 2017, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Delta Day at the Illinois State Capitol Building Harambee Award 2017, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. Ebony Chapter State Senator of the Year 2017, National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter White Eagle Award 2016, True Eagle Beauty Foundation, Inc.Beauty In /Beauty Out Reflection Award 2015 Outstanding Political Leadership Austin People Action Center Teen Reach Award 2015 National Alliance of Mental Illness Metro Suburban Community Partner of the Year 2015 Illinois Hunger Coalition Paul Simon Public Service Award 2015 Dorothy Brown Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, 2015 An Outstanding Elected Official National Pan-Hellenic Council of Chicago 2015 Soror of the Year, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The Construction Industry Service Corporation 2014 Public Body of the Year Award Alternative School Network 2014 Champion for Youth Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Glen Ellyn Area Alumnae Chapter's 2014 Community Impact Award The Answer Inc., 2014 Legislator of the Year Award Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Chi Lambda Lambda Chapter 2014 Women of Excellence for Outstanding Service in Politics Top Ladies of Distinction Incorporated West Suburban Chicago Chapter 2013 Orchid Award Boys and Girls Club of West Cook County 2013 Recognition of your Continuous Support of Our Club Members, Staff and Board Distinguished Citizen Award 2013 from Loretto Hospital Foundation The Black Women's Expo Phenomenal Woman Political Award 2013 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Tau Alpha Zeta Chapter Outstanding Service Award 2013 Illinois Reading Council Legislator of the Year Award 2013 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Champaign-Urbana Alumnae Chapter Public Service Award 2013 Arise Chicago 2012 Faithful Leadership Award Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA) Award for Being an Energy Partner 2012 Progressive Life Giving Word Cathedral Community Love Award 2012 IEA-NEA 2012 Friend of Education Award Illinois AFL-CIO 2012 Outstanding Legislator - ZeKe Giorgi Award Youth Advocate of the Year 2012 Award-M.A.P.S. Organization Illinois Association of Park Districts Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award 2011 Voices for Illinois Children October 2011 Chicago Defender's 2011 "Women of Excellence" Award Alternative School Network "The Education Champion" Award 2010 Safer Foundation's Carre Visionary Award December 2010 West Side Chapter NAACP Good Government Civic Award 2010 Health Care Council of Illinois Champion of Senior Care Award 2009 Illinois Principals Association 2009 "Friend of Illinois Principals" Award The 2009 West Suburban Journal History Makers Award Rainbow Push Coalition 2007 "Woman of Distinction" Award Voice Of The People Award 2007 Let's Talk Let's Test Foundation "She Truly Watches Over The Children of North Riverside Award 2006 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Joliet Area/South Suburban Chapter Echoes of Excellence Award 2005 Proviso/Leyden N.A.A.C.P. Good Government Civic Award 2005 Leadership in Fatherhood Movement Award 2003 Illinois Banker Association Outstanding Legislator 2003 Freedom Schooner Amistad 2003 Freedom Award Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Legislative Leadership Award 2002 Proviso/Leyden NAACP Good Government Civic Award 2002 South Austin Coalition Community Service Award for Helping Austin Seniors 2001 Loyola Hospital's "Appreciation for Your Efforts on Behalf of the School Based Health Center" 2001 Chicago Teachers Union "Certificate of Commendation" for Support of Public Education 2000 Habilitative Systems, Inc. "Freeing the Human Spirit" Award September 2000 The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park 2000 Dream Maker Award Westside Holistic Family Services Faith In Action 2000