West Cook News

The details of Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford’s carjacking (click here to read) were released today as part of a Freedom of information Act request.

Lightford, a Democrat who lives in Maywood, and her husband, Eric McKennie, were in a Mercedes-Benz SUV on Dec. 21 at 2023 S. 20th Ave. in a Broadview residential neighborhood when they were approached by three masked men who demanded the vehicle before shooting at the couple. 

The report noted that "approximately 10-15 shots were reported" and that McKennie "had a Glock 27 .40 Cal... holstered on his hip."

The 2000 Block of 20th Ave. in Broadview is a residential block, the site of a shootout on Dec. 21 between carjackers and State Sen. Kimberly Lightford's husband | Google Maps

"McKennie ran south down 20th Avenue, after firing a few rounds and found cover next to a house, as the offenders fired more rounds at him," the report said. "McKennie could not say if he hit any suspects or the vehicle."

The report said Lightford claimed the Mercedes-Benz did not belong to her, and that she had no vehicle registration. She said the car was "a loaner from the Westmont Mercedes Dealer." 

"Lightford was advised to contact this PD with the vehicle registration along with all pertinent information once she receives it."

Broadview officers went door to door at homes on 20th Ave. and found Ring doorbell cameras at multiple addresses, the report said.

McKennie, of Westchester, is a concealed carry holder. In its aftermath, Lightford praised the Illinois Concealed Carry Law, which she voted against in 2013.

In January 2021, Lightford led a push in the Senate to pass the "Pretrial Fairness Act" that Gov. J.B. Prizker later signed it into law.

Critics note the legislation will likely result in criminals being freed far more easily for crimes for which they would have been imprisoned previously. That scenario has already been playing out in Cook County and Chicago where crime rates have risen to their greatest level in decades as a result of the elimination of cash bail and limited prosecution of crimes.

Lightford, 53, was first elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1998. She previously served on the Maywood City Council.

McKennie, 58, worked for the City of Chicago as a Department of Aviation Driver and Department of Transportation Laborer before becoming a project administrator in the Department of Streets and Sanitation. He was administrative assistant to 37th Ward Ald. Percy Giles from 1995-1999, when Giles was indicted along with other city officials in Operation Silver Shovel.

In 2007, McKennie ran unsuccessfully against Giles' replacement, then and current Chicago Ald. Emma Mitts.

In 2016, McKennie was hired by the Chicago Transit Authority as a "Diversity Consultant." According to a report by the State of Illinois inspector general, "it was rumored that he had gotten the job because of his wife's position as a state legislator."

McKennie's boss filed a complaint stating "McKennie had bragged about being at (Gov. J.B. Pritzker's) inauguration with his wife in Springfield... and that Mr. McKennie seemed to come and go as he pleased, so his hire did not decrease the workload within the Diversity Department at all."