Ford Emphasizes Importance to Invest in Essential Services during Pandemic Recovery, Leave No Community Behind

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, reflected on this spring’s General Assembly following adjournment Tuesday:

“As we continue to deal with the short and long-term impacts of the pandemic, it was critically-important that we pass a spending plan that prioritizes investment in communities that have been hit hard. Not only was it crucial for us to invest in education, small businesses and health care, we had to focus on protecting essential services that our most vulnerable rely on.

“I’m appreciative of our efforts to offer rental assistance and other lifelines to make sure families can stay in their homes, but more work remains. This pandemic has disproportionately impacted people of color, and we have to make sure communities are not forgotten as we begin the path of recovery.

“In recent months, the General Assembly and governor have taken critically-important steps with criminal justice reform and other initiatives to improve the lives of Black residents here in Illinois who have been overlooked for far too long.

“After a decade of advocacy, we finally reversed the process of ‘prison gerrymandering’ that unfairly counted state prisoners in districts far from their homes. We also corrected errors in the rollout of cannabis legalization, to make the industry more diverse and ensure minority communities receive the investment they deserve. Powerfully, our state is also now on the verge of finally recognizing Juneteenth as an official state holiday.

“The passage of these initiatives underscores the value of advocacy, civic engagement and making your voice heard. There is a lot of work left to do, but I am encouraged and optimistic that the will is there to improve the lives of all residents in Illinois, no matter their background. I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve as a voice for my community in Springfield, and look forward to the work ahead.”