Lower health care costs, including premiums and out-of-pocket costs
Extend or restore the enhanced ACA premium tax credits
Restore and expand federal funding for Medicaid and health care
Lower prescription drug prices
“I will work to restore affordability protections, strengthen Medicaid, Medicare and the ACA, and make sure every family in the 7th District has a fair chance to stay healthy.”
“My approach pairs higher wage standards with targeted support for truly small, locally owned businesses. That means lowering health care costs, improving access to affordable credit, enforcing labor laws evenly, and ensuring that responsible employers are not punished while bad actors cut corners.”
“I will fight to lower prescription drug and health care costs, expand access to affordable child care, and address housing and transportation costs that function like hidden pay cuts for families and added pressure on small businesses.”
“I will fight to lower prescription drug and health care costs, expand access to affordable child care, and address housing and transportation costs that function like hidden pay cuts for families and added pressure on small businesses.”
“My top priorities in Washington will be protecting Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA access, bringing more behavioral health and recovery services to our neighborhoods, and expanding preventive care so families do not have to wait until they are in crisis to get help.”
“I will work to restore affordability protections, strengthen Medicaid, Medicare and the ACA, and make sure every family in the 7th District has a fair chance to stay healthy.”
“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege — and Ford’s commitment is clear: restore fairness, demand accountability, and protect access for every family in the 7th Congressional District.”
“We cannot allow our district to be pushed backward. We cannot allow families to lose coverage. We cannot allow our clinics and hospitals to be overwhelmed. We must protect the programs that work and fight for the improvements we know our communities need.”
“His campaign for Congress continues that same mission: to fight for health care access, affordable housing, job opportunities, and the dignity every family deserves.”
“In my role as a state Representative, I passed laws expanding access to health coverage and preventive care, including insurance reforms and protections for essential screenings.”
Make Medicaid renewals automatic so eligible people stay covered
Let Medicaid patients choose their pharmacy
Support and strengthen Medicaid
“Introduced HR 171 in the 104th GA which urges the Illinois General Assembly to reconsider the repeal of the 2013 Medicaid funding trigger law and to protect those who may be impacted by federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid funding cuts, assigned to committee”
“Introduced HB 591 in 102nd GA that requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to permit medical assistance recipients, including those enrolled in managed care, to obtain pharmacy services from the pharmacy of their choice, passed House Committee, re-referred to Rules”
“My top priorities in Washington will be protecting Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA access, bringing more behavioral health and recovery services to our neighborhoods, and expanding preventive care so families do not have to wait until they are in crisis to get help.”
“I will work to restore affordability protections, strengthen Medicaid, Medicare and the ACA, and make sure every family in the 7th District has a fair chance to stay healthy.”
“I will fight for:
Continuous coverage
Automatic renewals using information the government already has
Oversight to make sure redeterminations do not harm families and seniors
Full protection of Medicaid expansion, which reduced uninsured rates and strengthened hospitals”
“My top priorities in Washington will be protecting Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA access, bringing more behavioral health and recovery services to our neighborhoods, and expanding preventive care so families do not have to wait until they are in crisis to get help.”
“I will work to restore affordability protections, strengthen Medicaid, Medicare and the ACA, and make sure every family in the 7th District has a fair chance to stay healthy.”
“My top priorities in Washington will be protecting Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA access, bringing more behavioral health and recovery services to our neighborhoods, and expanding preventive care so families do not have to wait until they are in crisis to get help.”
“Our district needs more counselors, more recovery programs, and easier access to care. I will support federal investments that bring behavioral health resources into neighborhoods.”
“I will support efforts to increase the number of primary care and behavioral health providers and strengthen the funding that keeps community care accessible.”
“I will fight for federal investments that strengthen:
Community health centers
Behavioral health providers
Pharmacies in underserved neighborhoods
The healthcare workforce that accepts Medicaid”
“Mental health care must also recognize the role of community-based and preventive supports. Evidence-informed, trauma-informed approaches, including therapeutic uses of music and the arts, can support healing when used alongside clinical care. These tools are especially important for young people and communities impacted by long-term stress, violence, and untreated trauma, and should complement, not replace, access to licensed mental health professionals and behavioral health services.”
“La Shawn K. Ford has been a leading advocate for addiction prevention, harm reduction, and mental health access in Illinois, including efforts to expand overdose prevention strategies and community-based treatment models that have helped reduce overdose deaths across Chicago.”
Make long-term and elder care affordable and available
Protect and expand Medicaid funding for long-term care
Support family members who care for aging or disabled relatives
Improve the safety and quality of nursing homes
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law stating that a nursing facility may require a resident residing in an Alzheimer’s disease unit with a history of wandering to wear an identification wristlet (Public Act 100-0293)”
Require health plans to cover essential care and pre-existing conditions
“In my role as a state Representative, I passed laws expanding access to health coverage and preventive care, including insurance reforms and protections for essential screenings.”
“I will support efforts to increase the number of primary care and behavioral health providers and strengthen the funding that keeps community care accessible.”
“I will fight for federal investments that strengthen:
Community health centers
Behavioral health providers
Pharmacies in underserved neighborhoods
The healthcare workforce that accepts Medicaid”
“Leader and Co-founder of the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force, formed to bring attention to and promote solutions regarding the severe increase in deaths due to overdoses affecting the West Side of Chicago”
“Introduced legislation that became law which permits health insurers to provide coverage for recovery housing for persons with substance use disorders (Public Act 100-1065)”
“Introduced legislation (HB 110) in the 102nd GA and HB 2929 in the 104th GA for which Department of Human Services shall have the authority to approve any pilot overdose prevention site, including establishing minimum standards for patient, client, and participant safety and compliance and monitoring procedures; passed committee with bipartisan support, now in Rules”
“My top priorities in Washington will be protecting Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA access, bringing more behavioral health and recovery services to our neighborhoods, and expanding preventive care so families do not have to wait until they are in crisis to get help.”
“Our district needs more counselors, more recovery programs, and easier access to care. I will support federal investments that bring behavioral health resources into neighborhoods.”
“I have spent years working alongside public health leaders, harm reduction teams, and community organizations to expand access to treatment, distribute naloxone, support drug checking, and reduce overdose deaths.”
“As a Member of Congress, I will fight to restore these funds, protect evidence-based addiction treatment, and ensure that federal policy supports, not sabotages, local public health work. We should be expanding access to care, not pulling the rug out from under communities doing the hard work on the ground.”
“La Shawn K. Ford has been a leading advocate for addiction prevention, harm reduction, and mental health access in Illinois, including efforts to expand overdose prevention strategies and community-based treatment models that have helped reduce overdose deaths across Chicago.”
“Introduced landmark legislation in two different General Assemblies, both becoming law, which makes it easier and less intrusive for patients to be routinely tested for HIV in health care settings while preserving the rights of those being tested (Public Act 095-0007 in the 95th General Assembly and updated as Public Act 99-0054 in the 99th General Assembly)”
“Introduced legislation that became law to update state statutes so the most up to date supplemental testing is done to confirm a preliminary positive HIV test (Public Act 097-0244)”
“Introduced legislation that became law so all CD-4 counts and HIV viral loads are reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health to improve the care of patients with HIV (Public Act 097-0550)”
“Introduced legislation that became law which protects the privacy of students who have HIV by repealing a 20 year old law which required public health departments to notify the principal if a student had HIV (Public Act 98-0353)”
“Introduced and passed House Resolution 0065 (96th GA) urging the Department of Public Health to establish a comprehensive plan to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS”
“Chief House Sponsor for legislation that became law requiring the State Board of Education to develop and maintain a nutrition and physical activity best practices database (Public Act 096-1223)”
“Introduced legislation to ban trans fats in foods served by food facilities in 97th GA, passed the House, lost in the Senate; re-introduced in 98th GA (HB77) passed House, to be reintroduced”
“Introduced legislation (HB 601) and passed similar legislation which became law which requires opioid treatment programs to also report the prescription or dispensing of controlled substances to the state prescription drug monitoring program (Public Act 102-0527)”
“As a prostate cancer survivor himself, introduced and passed legislation that became law which requires health insurance in Illinois to cover screening for prostate cancer without a co-pay (Public Act 102-1073)”
“Introduced HB 4 in the 104th GA that requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to conduct a study on managed care pharmacy access standards, with a focus on disproportionately impacted areas, referred to Rules”
“Chief House Sponsor for legislation that became law requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish the Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Quality Improvement Transfer Program, to improve quality in hospitals (Public Act 096-1130)”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law establishing the Lupus Education and Awareness Program within the Illinois Department of Public Health (Public Act 096-1108)”
“Early in the debate about national health care reform, introduced and passed House Resolution 0565 (96th GA) urging the President and Congress to enact comprehensive health care reform”
“Preventive care saves lives. I will fight for policies that expand access to screenings, reduce costs, and encourage early treatment for chronic conditions and cancers.”
“A district as diverse and dynamic as IL 07 needs a health care system that removes fear, increases stability, and works for every family. I will work toward solutions that provide fairness, clarity, and reliability.”
“I have seen this before. These policies do not save money. They push people into emergency rooms, strain hospitals, and shift costs onto local communities.”
“The Trump administration’s decision to terminate federal addiction and mental health grants is reckless and dangerous, especially for communities already facing an overdose and mental health crisis.”
“Addiction and mental health are public health issues, not political talking points. Cutting off funding without a responsible transition plan undermines local systems of care, strains emergency services, and increases the risk of preventable deaths.”
“As a State Legislator, I’ve seen what happens when safety-net hospitals lose support. As your next Congressman, I’ll make sure federal healthcare dollars reach those they were meant to serve — the people who need them most.”
“Now, as he campaigns to represent Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, Ford is sounding the alarm on a crisis that threatens the future of community healthcare: the misuse of the federal 340B drug discount program — a program designed to help hospitals serving low-income patients, not to fund expansion into wealthy suburbs.”
“Ford is calling for action — both in Springfield and Washington — to bring transparency and accountability to the 340B program. His vision includes:
Public reporting requirements for how 340B savings are spent;
Clear limits to prevent funds from being redirected away from low-income areas;
Protection for community hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that depend on 340B revenue to serve the uninsured and underinsured.”
“Businesses will always look out for their bottom line, but government must look out for the people. We can protect our community hospitals, protect patients, and still ensure fairness in the system.”
“Midwives and doulas play a critical role in supporting healthy pregnancies and safe births, particularly in Black communities where outcomes have too often been overlooked. Community-based models of care work.”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law that requires metal recyclers to enter catalytic converters into a database to reduce catalytic converter theft (Public Act 102-0906)”
“In follow-up to public discussion and two Town Hall meetings in Summer 2011, introduced and passed HR 550 (97th GA) establishing the Firearm Public Awareness Task Force, charged with analyzing data from other states with concealed carry laws and examining other firearm-related public safety issues in Illinois, chairing two Task Force meetings in Spring 2012”
“Introduced legislation which has established the Violence Prevention Task Force (Public Act 98-0194); and introduced and passed House Resolution 648 in the 100th General Assembly that reconstitutes the Firearm Public Awareness Task Force, and named Chair of the Task Force”
“Introduced and passed a House Resolution which urges Congress to require replica gun manufacturers to design these guns to be bright colors (HR 134 – 99th General Assembly)”
Fund police departments and give them the resources they need
Hire and keep more police officers
Strengthen oversight and accountability for police
Limit police stops, searches, arrests and surveillance
“Introduced and passed a House Resolution which urges the Inspector General of the City of Chicago to conduct a performance audit of the Chicago Police Department to determine and assess police emergency response times in Chicago neighborhoods and communities and to make recommendations to improve response times in primarily African American and Hispanic neighborhoods and communities (House Resolution 569, 99th GA and again House Resolution 0006, 100th GA)”
“Introduced and passed legislation which became law that prevents motorist from being stopped and searched on the basis of an object suspended from the rear-view mirror (Public Act 103-0032)”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law which gives returning citizens/ex-offenders the opportunity to seal criminal records for certain Class 3 and 4 non-violent offenses to expand job opportunities (Public Act 98-0142)”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law that provides that records of charges that result in an acquittal or dismissal with prejudice, except for minor traffic offenses, may be immediately sealed after the final disposition of the case (Public Act 100-0282)”
“Chief House Sponsor of legislation that became law which allows courts to consider more severe sentences of a person uses a prostitute who is a ward of DCFS (Public Act 099-0347)”
“Introduced and passed a House Resolution which urges Congress, consistent with the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, to pass a law prohibiting parents from cyber-bullying their children by posting messages or images on social media sites on the internet that intimidate, coerce, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to their children (House Resolution 0014 – 100th GA)”
“Chief House Sponsor of legislation that became law amending the Illinois Parentage Act so paternity testing is done using the most modern DNA testing methods (Public Act 096-1074)”
“Introduced legislation for Equal Parenting (HB4113, 100th GA; reintroduced as HB185, 101st GA) that provides that it is presumed that it is in the child’s best interests to award equal time to each parent and provides that it is presumed that both parents are fit and the court shall not place any restrictions on parenting time unless it finds by clear and convincing evidence otherwise, in committee.”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law which provides that an action to collect a debt arising from a violation of a municipal ordinance may not be filed more than 7 years after the date of adjudication (Public Act 0192)”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law which limits bail bond costs to $100 (in Chicago) when the accused is cleared of a crime or if charges are dropped, rather than the previously required 10% (Public Act 99-0412)”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law which provides that a person who drives while his or her driver’s license is suspended shall receive a Uniform Traffic Citation from the law enforcement officer, and that a person who receives 3 or more Uniform Traffic Citations without paying any fees associated with the citations shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor (Public Act 100-1004)”
“Introduced and passed a House Resolution urging the governor and the Department of Corrections to discourage prosecutors from recommending and judges from sentencing low level drug offenders to the county jail or the Department of Corrections (HR163, 99th GA and HR5, 100th GA)”
“Introduced legislation (HB 434, 102nd GA) that requires records of charges that result in an acquittal or dismissal with prejudice, with some exceptions, may be immediately expunged after the final disposition of the case, passed House”
“Introduced HB 3564 in the 102nd GA which creates the Anthony Gay Law and creates the Isolated Confinement Restriction Act, providing that a committed person may not be placed in isolated confinement for more than 10 consecutive days, passed the House”
“Introduced HB 350 in the 102nd GA which provides that before the court orders an assessment, the court shall make a determination of the defendant’s ability to pay the assessment, passed the House”
“Introduced legislation to delete the provision that the period of probation for a minor who is found to be guilty for an offense which is a forcible felony, other than first degree murder or a Class X felony, shall be at least 5 years (HB 3224, 98th GA) – lost in the House”
“Introduced legislation so a person’s obligation to pay child support pursuant to a court or administrative order is suspended by operation of law during any period that the person is committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections or the Department of Juvenile Justice (HB 2330, 98th GA) – lost in the House”
“Introduced and passed House Resolution 361, 100th GA, which designates July 3, 2017, and July 3, 2018, as Illinois Citizens Re-entry Day, to be observed in recognition of Congressman Danny K. Davis’ work in helping to provide ex-offenders with a second chance and opportunity to re-enter society as productive citizens, and to encourage continuing support of such citizens as they re-enter their communities”
“Chief House Co-Sponsor of legislation that became law creating the Racial and Ethnic Impact Research Task Force to determine a practical method for the standardized collection and analysis of data on the racial and ethnic identity of arrestees by State and local law enforcement agencies (Public Act 097-0433)”
“Chief House Sponsor of legislation that became law as the Criminal Identification Act that requires ethnic and racial data be gathered at many points when a person encounters the criminal justice system (Public Act 098-0528)”
“Introduced and passed House Resolution 396 (99th GA) that directs the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission review the current practice of restorative justice in juvenile justice systems in Illinois”
“Introduced and passed legislation which became law which makes changes to the definition of “Social Equity Justice Involved Applicant” in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act, working to create equity and opportunities in the cannabis industry (Public Act 102-0098)”
“Introduced and passed legislation which became law which allows the Illinois Department of Agriculture to change the cannabis licensing process to reduce or eliminate barriers and remedy discrimination identified in a study by the Illinois Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer (Public Act 103-0578)”
“Expand preservation and affordability tools
Support legislation strengthening LIHTC, vouchers, preservation financing, and the National Housing Trust Fund.”
“His campaign for Congress continues that same mission: to fight for health care access, affordable housing, job opportunities, and the dignity every family deserves.”
“I will fight to lower prescription drug and health care costs, expand access to affordable child care, and address housing and transportation costs that function like hidden pay cuts for families and added pressure on small businesses.”
Target homebuying help to first-generation and underserved buyers
Stop large investors from outbidding families for homes
“This plan is designed to stabilize that system for everyone by preserving existing homes, expanding mixed-income housing, limiting predatory investment, and creating durable paths to homeownership.”
“Align federal housing programs with state housing agencies, including IHDA, to modernize credit and underwriting standards that unnecessarily exclude qualified first-time buyers”
“Incentivize banks, CDFIs, and mission-driven lenders to offer lower-interest specialty loans for first-time buyers in targeted underserved communities”
“This plan is designed to stabilize that system for everyone by preserving existing homes, expanding mixed-income housing, limiting predatory investment, and creating durable paths to homeownership.”
“This plan focuses on scaling what already works, targeting investment where housing instability is most concentrated, and holding programs accountable through public reporting.”
“Expand preservation and affordability tools
Support legislation strengthening LIHTC, vouchers, preservation financing, and the National Housing Trust Fund.”
Require transparency from large investors and landlords receiving federal aid
“This plan is designed to stabilize that system for everyone by preserving existing homes, expanding mixed-income housing, limiting predatory investment, and creating durable paths to homeownership.”
“Support housing stability for college students and recent graduates by reducing housing-related debt pressures and expanding affordable rental and ownership options near campuses and job centers”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law to consider all homeless service providers in the state of Illinois as essential critical infrastructure workers (Public Act 102-0919)”
“Introduced legislation that became law providing that a defaulting homeowner be notified by mail that they have the right to remain in their home for 30 days after the entry of the order of possession (Public Act 095-0826)”
“Introduced legislation that became law requiring the name and contact information of the holder of foreclosed property be recorded and available to the public (Public Act 096-0110)”
“Introduced legislation that became law making it illegal for condo associations to disapprove a sale of a condo unit if the buyer uses financing guaranteed by the FHA (Public Act 096-0228)”
“Introduced legislation that became law increasing the penalties for anyone falsely posing as a landlord and obtaining rent or security deposits (Public Act 096-0496)”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law that states that the recorder of deeds may adopt rules establishing a mechanics lien demand and referral process for residential property; specifically, if the recorder shows by clear and convincing evidence that the mechanics lien in question is an expired lien (if a suit to enforce the lien has not been commenced by the lienholder or a counterclaim has not been filed within 2 years), the administrative law judge shall rule the lien is forfeited and that the lien no longer affects the chain of title of the property in any way (Public Act 100-1061)”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law to prohibit discrimination based on the source of income to restrict the ability to rent, to decrease homelessness (Public Act 102-0896)”
“In November 2008, introduced and passed House Resolution 1276 (96th GA) urging Congress to enact a 2-year moratorium on interest rate reset increases under sub-prime adjustable-rate mortgage home loans”
“Introduced House Bill 5508, 100th GA, creating the Access to Affordable, Permanent, and Supportive Housing and Services Act, to provide that a unit of local government may provide certain housing and supportive services upon a determination that a person experiencing homelessness is living in a public space, Session Sine Die”
“Throughout his tenure, Ford has championed social justice, equity, and expanded opportunity, driving legislation that advances jobs, education, health, second chances for returning citizens, small business development, housing, and veterans’ services.”
“His campaign for Congress continues that same mission: to fight for health care access, affordable housing, job opportunities, and the dignity every family deserves.”
“America’s labor force should reflect the diversity of America itself. That means expanding pathways to good-paying union careers for people of every race, gender, background, neighborhood, and ZIP code. We must strengthen apprenticeships, training, and recruitment so that historically underrepresented communities have a fair opportunity to enter the skilled trades and other union professions, earn family-sustaining wages, and build generational wealth.”
Tie the minimum wage to inflation so it keeps pace
End subminimum wages for tipped workers and workers with disabilities
Make sure full-time work pays a living wage
Strengthen and enforce wage and overtime laws
Help small businesses afford higher wages
“As a state legislator, I fought for and voted to pass Illinois’ minimum wage increase into law, a critical step that helped lift wages across our state and support higher local standards like Chicago’s minimum wage.”
“My approach is about raising pay, enforcing the law, strengthening worker power, and lowering the costs that make it harder for both families and local businesses to get ahead.”
“My approach pairs higher wage standards with targeted support for truly small, locally owned businesses. That means lowering health care costs, improving access to affordable credit, enforcing labor laws evenly, and ensuring that responsible employers are not punished while bad actors cut corners.”
“In the Illinois legislature, I helped pass laws raising wage floors, protecting worker rights, and expanding anti-discrimination protections that benefit women in the workforce.”
“As families face rising costs, now is the time to strengthen organized labor, not weaken it. We must defend collective bargaining, prevailing wages, pensions, workplace safety, and the freedom to organize.”
“I will protect the right to organize without retaliation, close loopholes that allow worker misclassification, and require prevailing wages on federally funded projects. These standards raise pay while ensuring responsible employers are not pushed out by those who cut corners.”
“Introduced legislation that was signed into law creating the African American Employment Plan Act to: (1) improve the delivery of State services to Illinois’ African Americans; (2) increase the number of African Americans who are employed throughout State government and who are promoted; (3) assist State agencies in meeting goals established by the African American Employment Plan; and (4) establish an African American Employment Plan Advisory Council (Public Act 096-1341)”
“Introduced the State Employment Application Act (Ban the Box) stipulating that an application for state employment may not ask if the applicant had been convicted of a non-violent criminal offense; introduced in the 95th GA, passed bill through House and Senate, vetoed by the governor in 2007, veto not overriden; similar legislation introduced in the 96th, 97th and 98th General Assemblies; governor issued Administrative Order in May 2013 accomplishing the intent of the legislation”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law which creates the Commission on Young Adult Employment Act which shall identify issues concerning the readiness and ability of young adults to find employment after completing their education (Public Act 99-0338), and introduced legislation that became law which extends the repeal date of the Act from January 1, 2019 to January 1, 2022 (Public Act 100-1147)”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law creating the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act, which makes it unlawful for any employer to ask any prospective employee to provider any user name, password or other related account information in order to gain access to a social networking website where that prospective employee maintains an account or profile (Public Act 097-0875)”
“Introduced and passed legislation which became law which requires analysis of job retention for the Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program (Public Act 103-0198)”
“Over nearly 20 years in the Illinois General Assembly, I have proudly stood with organized labor because strong unions create stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger America.”
“I will fight to fully fund wage and hour enforcement, increase penalties for repeat violators, and shorten the time it takes workers to recover stolen wages. If you earn it, you should keep it.”
“I will use my vote, committee work, and oversight authority to raise standards, enforce the law, and support an economy where workers and local businesses can succeed together.”
“Introduced legislation that became law requiring that any money transferred from the State Lottery Fund to the Common School Fund shall be supplemental to, and not in lieu of, any other money due to be transferred to the Common School Fund by law or appropriation. (Public Act 100-0466)”
“Co-sponsor of legislation that became law that increases the percentage of grant funds prioritized for Black males and incorporates consideration of financial need in awarding grants (Public Act 101-0654)”
“Introduced and passed a House Resolution which urges the boards of trustees of every public university in Illinois to provide housing scholarships to college students who are registered as homeless (House Resolution 135, 99th General Assembly)”
“Chief House Sponsor of legislation which became law which provides educational grants at public community colleges or universities to persons who are exonerated of their charged crimes (Public Act 99-0199)”
“Introduced and passed House Resolution 1098 (100th GA) which creates the Black History Curriculum Task Force to conduct an audit of every Illinois school district’s Black history curriculum”
Give every child a good education regardless of ZIP code, race or income
“Introduced and passed House Resolution 0056 (96th GA) urging the State Board of Education to establish a comprehensive plan to close the student achievement gap by the 2010-2011 school year”
“Chief House Sponsor for successful legislation that amends the Local Food, Farms and Jobs Act to establish an electronic database to facilitate the purchase of fresh produce and food products by schools (Public Act 096-1095)”
“Introduced idea in Austin Weekly News to locate new high school at Brach’s location at Lake and Cicero, May 31, 2006, and June 1, 2006, and September 6, 2007”
“Introduced and passed HR0011 in the 100th GA urging the City of Chicago to build a new comprehensive high school at the site of the closed Emmet School at Madison and Central”
“Chief House Sponsor of legislation that became law authorizing school districts to purchase electronic textbooks, instructional materials, and the technological equipment necessary to support the use of electronic textbooks from publishers and manufacturers (Public Act 96-1403)”
“Introduced legislation that became law that provides that a school board shall require the school district’s high schools, if any, to inform all 11th and 12th grade students of dual enrollment and dual credit opportunities at public community colleges for qualified students (Public Act 100-0133)”
“Introduced legislation that became law that provides for a remedial summer school program emphasizing reading and mathematics for students performing below grade level for two consecutive years (Public Act 097-0086)”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law which establishes a Chicago Educational Governance Task Force to study whether an elected Chicago Public Schools School Board would be the best structure of governance (Public Act 098-1053)”
“Introduced legislation establishing that certain lottery sales monies are redistributed to school districts based on the district’s percentage of lottery sales (HB82, 98th GA)”
“Introduced legislation directing the State Board of Education to examine the impact and effectiveness of standardized testing (HB3163, 98th GA) – passed the House”
“Introduced legislation to assist victims of domestic or sexual violence complete their secondary school education (HB 2213, 98th GA)– passed the House, to be reintroduced”
“Introduced legislation stating that school boards shall require its schools to connect at-risk students in need of academic support to either community-based or in-school academic support (HB4205, 100th GA, reintroduced as HB190, 101st GA), in committee”
“Secured funding to support libraries in Oak Park; the new Community Recreation Center in Oak Park; the Park District of La Grange Park, and many others”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law creating the Right to Privacy in the School Setting Act, which makes it unlawful for school officials to request of obtain from their students their social media passwords unless there is reasonable cause to believe that a student’s account on a social networking website contains evidence that the student has violated a school disciplinary rule or policy (Public Act 098-0129)”
“Introduced and passed House Resolution 0909 (93rd GA) which urges Congress to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to make all its provisions permanent”
“Introduced and passed House Joint Resolution 0076 (99th GA) which supports amending the United States Constitution to explicitly guarantee an individual’s right to vote”
“Chief Co-Sponsor of House Joint Resolution which passed both Houses which proposes to amend the Suffrage and Elections Article of the Constitution and provides that no person shall be denied the right to register to vote or to cast a ballot in an election based on race, color, ethnicity, status as a member of a language minority, sex, sexual orientation, income, national origin or religion (Ford introduced HJRCA0039 which later became HJRCA0052, 98th GA)”
“Introduced HB 1872 in the 102nd GA which repeals provisions that prohibit a person that is serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution from voting until his or her release from confinement, re-referred to Rules”
Protect the right to protest and assemble peacefully
“Introduced House Resolution (HR 0610, 97th GA) urging support for the peaceful exercise of First Amendment rights by Occupy protesters – resolution lost on a House vote”
“My record shows that I have delivered for women before, and in Congress I will fight to protect women’s rights, healthcare, economic security, and dignity with action, accountability, and law.”
“Introduced and passed legislation which became law on 6-16-2021 (before Juneteenth was declared a National Holiday) which provides that Juneteenth National Freedom Day shall be observed on June 19 of each year as a holiday throughout the state (Public Acts 102-0014 and 102-0334)”
“Introduced and passed House Resolution 48 (98th GA) which urges the governor to create a commission to confront the economic problems that still plague African-American communities”
“Introduced legislation that became law which gives the Department of Human Rights the power to coordinate with state (in addition to federal and local) agencies in conformity with the Illinois Human Rights Act (Public Act 099-0074)”
“Introduced and passed House Resolution 1011 (99th GA) that requests President Obama to commission a study regarding the economic and social costs of slavery and a proposal for reparations to the descendants of slaves in America if such a proposal is recommended in the study itself”
“Introduced and passed House Resolution 45 (100th GA) that requests President Trump to commission a study to detail the economic impact of the slave trade and the use of slave labor; and how Emancipation, while freeing them of their literal bonds, and ending an immoral practice, did not guarantee equality in education, employment, housing, and access to quality affordable health care; that this study also include an analysis for how reparations for past harms have benefited the ethnic groups that have received them during the course of American history; and a proposal for reparations to the descendants of slaves in America, and how those reparations can help overcome obstacles that still exist today in education, employment, housing, health care, and justice.”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law which provides that no employer may discriminate between employees by paying wages to an African-American employee at a rate less than the rate at which the employer pays wages to another employee who is not African-American for the same or substantially similar work on a job that requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility and is performed under similar working conditions (Public Act 100-1140)”
“Introduced legislation (HB4087, 100th GA) that creates the Abolition of Confederate Symbols Act and provides that no public body shall display the Battle Flag of the Confederacy, otherwise known as the “Confederate Flag”, or any other similar image, on any public property or land in the State unless the flag or an image thereof appears in a book, digital medium, or museum, or is used to serve any other educational or historical purpose, Session Sine Die”
“Chief Co-sponsor of legislation that became law that requires Illinois corporations to report on the representation of women and minorities on corporate boards (Public Act 101-0589)”
“Introduced and passed House Resolutions (HR 390-101st GA and HR 13-102nd GA) which creates the Commission on the Social Status of Black Males to study the social conditions of black males, develop strategies to remedy or assist in remedying serious adversities, and make recommendations to improve the educational, social, economic, and employment opportunities of black males.”
“Under a Trump-driven agenda, women have seen rights rolled back, enforcement weakened, and care pushed out of reach. I reject that direction. Government should protect women, not police them.”
“Introduced and passed a House Resolution which urges Congress to pass legislation in support of universal childcare services for working families (House Resolution 497, 99th GA)”
“I will fight to lower prescription drug and health care costs, expand access to affordable child care, and address housing and transportation costs that function like hidden pay cuts for families and added pressure on small businesses.”
“Introduced legislation that became law establishing the Farmers’ Market Technology Improvement Program Act, which helps people use their LINK cards (Food Stamps) at Farmers’ Markets (Public Act 096-1088)”
“Ford, joined by Congressman Davis, urged Speaker Johnson to immediately restore full federal funding for health, housing, and nutrition programs — and to work with Democrats to protect critical benefits during any future budget impasse. Ford also called for permanent safeguards to ensure that vulnerable communities are never again used as leverage in partisan fights.”
Other things the site says about Social Security and welfare (9)
“Sponsored legislation that became law that established the Council on Responsible Fatherhood, which aims to support fathers and help them to become more responsible (Public Act 095-0960)”
“Introduced and passed House Resolution 418, 100th GA, that requires the audit to include a review of abuse and neglect investigations conducted by the Department of Children and Family Services in Fiscal Years 2015-2017”
“Authored and passed House Resolution 95 (98th GA) with 108 votes which creates the Distressed Counties and Communities Task Force to find and create innovative means to address and meet the numerous needs of those who receive State social services and develop a legislative and administrative agenda that can serve as a national model for developing a successful anti-poverty agenda”
“At the same time, cuts to basic family supports hit women first. When programs like SNAP are reduced, women are often the ones stretching food budgets, planning meals, and making impossible choices to keep families fed.”
Expand mental health care and suicide prevention for veterans
Cut red tape and bureaucracy at the VA
Strengthen oversight and accountability at the VA
“As Congress debates the future of the VA, La Shawn K. Ford believes the path forward must prioritize access, accountability, and respect. Veterans deserve modern care, mental-health resources, affordable housing, and workforce support — not bureaucratic delays or funding cuts.”
“As Congress debates the future of the VA, La Shawn K. Ford believes the path forward must prioritize access, accountability, and respect. Veterans deserve modern care, mental-health resources, affordable housing, and workforce support — not bureaucratic delays or funding cuts.”
Expand mental health care for veterans and service members
Fund research and alternative treatments for PTSD
“Introduced and passed legislation which became law which establishes special vehicle license decals to support the treatment of veterans with PTSD through K-9s for Veterans (Public Act 101-0248)”
“K-9s for Veterans Program (Public Act 101-0248) — Established special vehicle license decals to fund the treatment of PTSD through service dogs, expanding mental-health support for veterans across Illinois.”
“As Congress debates the future of the VA, La Shawn K. Ford believes the path forward must prioritize access, accountability, and respect. Veterans deserve modern care, mental-health resources, affordable housing, and workforce support — not bureaucratic delays or funding cuts.”
“As Congress debates the future of the VA, La Shawn K. Ford believes the path forward must prioritize access, accountability, and respect. Veterans deserve modern care, mental-health resources, affordable housing, and workforce support — not bureaucratic delays or funding cuts.”
Other things the site says about defense and veterans (7)
“Introduced and passed House Resolution 0622 (95th GA) urging the U.S. Congress to pass legislation to allow free mailing of letters and packages to combat troops”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law that requires state universities to report on the recruitment and retention of veterans (Public Act 103-0862)”
“Free Mail for Troops — Sponsored and passed House Resolution 0622 urging Congress to allow free mailing of letters and care packages to deployed service members.”
“Veteran Student Support (Public Act 103-0862) — Required Illinois universities to report on veteran recruitment and retention, helping ensure student veterans receive the resources they need to graduate and succeed.”
“Property Tax Relief for Heroes — Led the effort to eliminate property taxes for World War II veterans and reduce financial strain for disabled and senior veterans.”
“Throughout his tenure, Ford has championed social justice, equity, and expanded opportunity, driving legislation that advances jobs, education, health, second chances for returning citizens, small business development, housing, and veterans’ services.”
“Introduced legislation that became law establishing a micro-loan program for qualified ex-offenders who are establishing their own businesses (Public Act 096-0656)”
“My approach pairs higher wage standards with targeted support for truly small, locally owned businesses. That means lowering health care costs, improving access to affordable credit, enforcing labor laws evenly, and ensuring that responsible employers are not punished while bad actors cut corners.”
“Introduced legislation that became law establishing the Small Business Empowerment and Workforce Development Task Force, with the President of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees as Chair (Public Act 98-0515)”
“Introduced legislation (HB3868 – 97th GA) better defining “small business” and “very small business” for the sake of procurement by the state of Illinois, and providing that not less than 1% of state contracts be awarded to very small businesses – did not advance”
“Formed State Representative La Shawn K. Ford’s Business Growth and Creation Committee, with the mission of promoting economic vitality, by providing advice, training, resources, and research to entrepreneurs and existing businesses, with the vision of increasing the number of strong small businesses and creating more job opportunities”
“Ford, who has built a career on collaboration and results, praised recent efforts by Illinois leaders to strengthen and properly fund public transportation, ensuring stability for working families and seniors.”
“I will expand the Earned Income Tax Credit and strengthen the Child Tax Credit for working families, while opposing tax policies that reward stock buybacks over payroll.”
“Introduced and passed legislation that became law that requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to contain ethnic and racial background data and the person’s last known address in accordance with the No Representation without Population Act (Public Act 103-0018)”
“Introduced HB 1288 (104th GA) which states a person convicted of a felony, after the completion of his or her sentence, including the completion of his or her parole or mandatory supervised release term, shall be eligible to be nominated for, and elected to, an elective public office, in Rules”
“Introduced legislation that became law stating the State of Illinois ratifies the agreement among the states to elect the President by National Popular Vote, to ensure that the candidate with the most votes is elected President of the United States (Public Act 095-0714)”
“Chief House Sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution 0029 (99th GA) which was passed establishing a Complete Count Commission to ensure an accurate count in the 2020 census”
“Introduced the Prisoner Census Adjustment Act in the 97th GA (HB 94 – introduced 1-6-2011) and again in the 98th GA (HB 62) proposing that for purposes of creating election districts and redistricting, requires that State and local governmental bodies use census figures adjusted to reflect the pre-incarceration addresses of persons imprisoned in State or federal facilities in Illinois; passed the House, and reintroduced House Bill which creates the No Representation Without Population Act, directing the Illinois Department of Corrections to collect a record of the legal home residence, outside of the facility, with the aim of having the person counted in the Census as a resident of their home address rather than at the prison address, passed Committee, not brought up for vote in House (HB1489, 99th General Assembly), and then passed legislation to end prison gerrymandering as part of SAFE-T Act (Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity – Today) Act, incorporating the No Representation Without Population Act, which provides for a process of using prison inmates’ most recent known address prior to incarceration for purposes of redistricting legislative districts (Public Act 101-0652)”
“Introduced a House Bill which provides that a person is not prohibited from photographing his or her own ballot at any time during the voting process, but a person who buys or sells their vote based on a photograph is guilty of a Class 4 felony (HB0431, 99th General Assembly)”
“Introduced legislation creating a mechanism to recall the mayor of the City of Chicago (HB4356, 99th General Assembly, and in General Assemblies since)”
“Introduced legislation that became law which provides that the Division of Banking of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall review the federal Community Reinvestment Act performance evaluations of any financial institution regulated by the Division to monitor the efforts state chartered banks are making to meet the credit needs of the communities in which they serve, including low-income and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound banking practice (Public Act 100-0304)”
“Introduced House Resolution 0576 (96th GA) calling on Congress to support community banks that were greatly affected by the economic downturn but had not yet received any rescue funds”
“Chief House Sponsor of legislation that became law which amends the Currency Exchange Act, so that determination of rate schedules that can be charged for check cashing and writing of money orders by community currency exchanges takes into account the impact on consumers and whether the rate schedule will disproportionately impact anyone on the basis of any protected characteristic or category listed and defined in specified provisions of the Illinois Human Rights Act (Public Act 100-0704)”
Other things the site says about economy and the federal budget (3)
“Introduced House Joint Resolution 0083 (96th GA) establishing the State Financial Crisis Task Force within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to address means of cutting costs and obtaining more revenue”
“Introduced legislation that became law establishing a Youth Budget Commission, which shall complete an analysis of enacted State budget items which directly impact adolescents (Public Act 100-0818)”
“In a powerful call for unity and action, La Shawn K. Ford, candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, addressed residents on the urgent need to end the ongoing federal government shutdown that continues to harm working families and disrupt essential services.”
Other things the site says about homeland security and emergencies (2)
“Leader in the fight to declare those areas affected by the July 2010 floods as disaster areas, and assisted residents to apply for aid by teaming with schools to open their computer labs to the public”
“Our TSA agents, our air traffic controllers — these are hardworking men and women who keep our skies safe. They need respect, stability, and the resources to do their jobs effectively.”
