Experience That's Ready On Day One for the People of the 7th Congressional District
-La Shawn K. Ford
A Legislative Record Rooted in Service, Equity, and Results
about la shawn k. ford
La Shawn K. Ford’s life is a testament to determination, service, and the belief that every person—no matter where they start—deserves the chance to thrive.
Born in the Cabrini-Green housing projects to a teenage mother and raised by his grandmother, Ford grew up in neighborhoods where opportunity was too often out of reach. After a fire displaced his family at age seven, he learned the value of hard work by shoveling snow, mowing lawns, and stocking grocery shelves to help his household get by. Neighbors called him “The Alderman” long before he held any public office—because even as a child, he was driven to help others.
Ford attended Catholic schools, became the first in his family to enroll in a four-year college, played basketball at Loyola University, and earned a degree in Education with a minor in Political Science. He taught and coached in the Chicago Public Schools and later opened his own real estate business, serving hundreds of families and small property owners on the West Side.
He still lives in the Austin community where he was raised and is the proud father of his daughter, Tia.
A Public Servant Shaped by Community
La Shawn K. Ford entered public service with a simple but powerful mission: to build bridges to opportunity for every family, no matter their ZIP code. In 2006, he won election to the Illinois House of Representatives by running a people-powered campaign rooted in trust, accessibility, and the belief that government should open doors—not close them.
For the past 18 years, Ford has represented one of the most diverse districts in Illinois, covering communities on the West Side of Chicago and throughout the near west suburbs. Throughout his service, he has remained deeply connected to the neighborhoods he serves. Ford hosts radio programs, cable TV conversations, weekly newspaper columns, and frequent town halls—bringing state government directly to the people. His open-door style has made him one of the most accessible elected officials in the state.
A Record of Results
Ford’s legislative career is defined by four pillars: jobs and economic mobility, healthcare and community wellness, justice and second chances, and education and opportunity.
Below is a streamlined summary of his most impactful work.
1. Jobs, Small Business, and Economic Opportunity
Ford has been one of Springfield’s leading champions for working families, small businesses, and returning citizens.
Author of the African American Employment Plan Act to expand representation and opportunity in state government.
Leader of “Ban the Box”—removing barriers to state employment for people with nonviolent records.
Expanded record sealing and expungement, opening pathways to work for thousands.
Created task forces on workforce development, young adult employment, and small business empowerment.
Passed laws to support micro-loans for returning citizens, state contract access for small businesses, and banking equity in underserved areas.
Organized job fairs, workforce summits, grant-writing workshops, and direct hiring events with thousands of participants.
Ford doesn’t talk about opportunity—he creates it.
2. Healthcare, Mental Health & Community Wellness
Few legislators in Illinois have matched Ford’s breadth of work in public health.
Led landmark reforms that modernized HIV testing, reporting, and patient protections.
Authored laws making it easier for families to use LINK (SNAP) benefits at farmers markets.
Sponsored nutrition, physical activity, and anti-obesity programs serving hundreds of children annually.
Co-founded the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force, now a national model for overdose response.
Passed laws expanding insurance coverage, mental health supports, recovery housing, and opioid treatment reporting.
As a prostate cancer survivor, he passed legislation requiring insurance companies to cover prostate cancer screening with no co-pay.
Ford has consistently fought to close the life expectancy gap on the West Side and improve health outcomes across the district.
3. Justice, Democracy & Second Chances
Ford is widely recognized as one of Illinois’ foremost champions of criminal justice reform.
Wrote and passed many of the state’s major record sealing, expungement, and bail cost reduction laws.
Authored legislation to reduce court debt, protect families from predatory fines, and create fairer sentencing practices.
Led the push to end prison gerrymandering, ensuring incarcerated people are counted in their home communities.
Championed voting rights protections, online voter registration, and the National Popular Vote Compact.
Passed laws to prevent discrimination in wages, housing, and state contracting.
Introduced and passed resolutions on reparations studies, racial equity, Tulsa remembrance, and the social status of Black males.
For Ford, justice is not rhetoric—it’s legislation.
4. Housing Stability and Consumer Protection
Ford’s work has protected thousands of families across Illinois from foreclosure, eviction, and discrimination.
Passed laws requiring transparency from banks, landlords, and associations.
Protected homeowners from predatory foreclosure practices.
Banned source-of-income discrimination to reduce homelessness.
Strengthened consumer protections in real estate, banking, and credit access.
Supported major housing investments across the district.
Homes anchor families—and Ford has fought to keep people in theirs.
5. Education, Youth Opportunity & Civic Engagement
A former teacher and coach, Ford has spent nearly two decades working to expand educational justice.
Sponsored laws for Black history curriculum audits, electronic textbooks, dual enrollment access, and early childhood reforms.
Advocated for a new comprehensive public high school in Austin.
Created internship, scholarship, and civic engagement programs for youth.
Hosted large-scale civic education events, town halls, and “College is an Option” programs serving thousands of students.
Served on multiple education boards and committees, from CPS governance to community education networks.
Ford believes education is the foundation of democracy and opportunity.
6. Service, Community Leadership & Recognition
Ford remains deeply rooted in community service:
Founding Committee Chair of Boy Scouts Troop 606 on the West Side.
Board member for multiple civic organizations focused on youth, health, and the arts.
Host of annual food drives, health fairs, community screenings, and public forums.
His leadership has been recognized with dozens of awards in:
Civil rights
Housing and community development
Public health
Veteran support
Agriculture
Education
Small business advocacy
Social justice
Government transparency
A Leader Shaped by the Community, Ready to Serve It in Congress
Everything in La Shawn Ford’s life—his upbringing in Cabrini-Green and Austin, his years in the classroom, his time as a small business owner, and his 18 years of legislative service—has prepared him to fight for jobs, justice, health, and opportunity for the people of Illinois’ 7th District.
He has lived the challenges of this district, and he has delivered solutions for this district.
Now, he is ready to continue that work in Washington—ready on day one.
