Child Care, Early Learning & Teachers
Ford’s Blueprint for a Stronger IL-7
A Champion for Children, Families, Providers & Teachers
Strong Starts. Strong Families. Strong Futures.
For decades, La Shawn K. Ford has stood at the center of the fight for affordable child care, strong early learning systems, and real support for educators. As a former teacher, a father, a small business owner, and a legislator with a proven record of delivering for families, he understands a simple truth: when children succeed early, entire communities rise.
Now, he is ready to bring that leadership to Washington and deliver for every family, provider, and educator in the 7th Congressional District.
Ford’s Proven Record in Springfield
Real Wins for Children, Families & Providers
During his tenure in the Illinois General Assembly, La Shawn K. Ford helped shape nearly every major victory for early childhood education and child care in the state. His leadership has directly impacted hundreds of thousands of families across Illinois, particularly in communities that rely on affordable, reliable care to work, learn, and rebuild.
Key Accomplishments Include:
- Restored Child Care Funding: Reversed devastating cuts to child care programs and protected access for working families.
- Gave Providers a Seat at the Table: Created the Illinois Commission on Child Care so providers have a direct voice in shaping policy.
- Expanded Eligibility for Families: Helped more working parents qualify for high-quality, affordable child care.
- Lowered Family Co-Pays: Reduced out-of-pocket costs so families could keep more of their hard-earned income.
- Expanded Preschool for All: Opened access for more children to enter school ready to learn and succeed.
- Invested in the Workforce: Increased scholarships, training opportunities, and professional development for early educators.
- Raised Reimbursement Rates: Helped child care centers stay open and pay staff fair, competitive wages.
Ford did not just support these policies. He helped make them law.
A Vision for Washington
Fighting for Families. Supporting Providers. Empowering Teachers.
La Shawn K. Ford is ready to take Illinois’ progress to the national stage. He understands that families are struggling with rising child care costs, providers are fighting to keep their doors open, and teachers are being asked to do more with less.
His congressional agenda will deliver for all three.
Ford’s Priorities in Congress:
- Increase federal funding for Head Start and Early Head Start to strengthen early learning from birth onward
- Bring additional federal dollars into state child care systems to expand access and stabilize a strained provider network
- Expand eligibility and financial support for working families seeking quality care
- Strengthen universal preschool expansion so every community benefits
- Support teacher pipelines that recruit, retain, and grow a diverse educator workforce
- Advance fair pay, professional respect, and recognition for early educators and K–12 teachers
Ford believes that investing in early education and the people who make it possible builds the foundation for every child’s future.
For Families
Affordable, Accessible, High-Quality Care
No parent should have to choose between earning a paycheck and caring for their child.
Ford has long championed working families by expanding CCAP, lowering costs, and restoring funding after statewide cuts. His congressional plan continues this fight by:
Expanding affordability and access
Reducing financial burdens
Ensuring every child is safe, learning, and supported
When families thrive, communities flourish.
For Providers
Strengthening the Backbone of Our Workforce
Child care providers are the workforce behind every other workforce.
Ford understands the pressure providers face just to keep their doors open. His plan supports them by:
- Increasing federal investment in child care centers and programs
- Expanding facility improvement and workforce pipeline funding
- Advocating for fair pay, benefits, and professional development
- Ensuring equity for home-based and center-based providers alike
When we support providers, we strengthen entire neighborhoods.
For Teachers
A Teacher’s Heart, A Leader’s Vision
La Shawn K. Ford taught in the classroom, and he never forgot the work teachers do.
He has consistently fought to protect education funding, expand scholarships, advance professional development, and support educator wellness. In Congress, he will:
- Raise educator pay nationwide
- Invest in classroom resources
- Expand early childhood and K–12 teaching pipelines
- Support mental wellness programs for students and school staff
Teachers shape the future, and they deserve a leader who shows up for them.
Why This Issue Matters for IL-7
Early childhood and child care are economic issues, safety issues, education issues, and moral issues.
From Austin to Bronzeville, from Maywood to the West Loop, families depend on reliable care to work, study, and rebuild. Teachers and providers depend on stable funding. Children depend on strong early learning to thrive.
This is an issue that touches every neighborhood, every household, and every future.
Ford will bring a lifetime of experience — and a record of real results — to Washington.
Vote La Shawn K. Ford for Congress (IL-7)
Because every child deserves a strong start, every family deserves support, and every educator deserves respect.
Election Day: March 17th, 2026
