Ford Sworn In to Office, Focuses on Solving Budget Issues

SPRINGFIELD, IL – After taking the oath of office as state Representative of the Eighth District of Illinois for his sixth time on Wednesday, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, issued the following statement:

“It is frustrating that we have been through the entire 99th General Assembly session and still do not have a fully funded budget for the state of Illinois. Our most vulnerable citizens feel the effects of the lack of a budget agreement the most because they are denied services that are needed so they can make it day-to-day. I hope that the beginning of the new General Assembly, the 100^th in the great history of our state, will mark a change in the way that we negotiate a fully funded budget. Working groups from the past months made major progress, and I believe that working across the aisle to come up with solutions is the only way to move our state forward.

“Today should serve as motivation to work even harder, as we swear to uphold the Constitutions of the United States and the state of Illinois. A fresh start in this new General Assembly, with both old and new colleagues, can be the spark that we need to come to real compromises that will move our state forward. We must do what is right for the people in our communities who need us the most.”

For assistance or questions about legislation, state programs or services, please contact one of Ford’s constituent service offices at 708-445-3673 or 773-378-5902, or visit www.lashawnkford.com.