SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, outlined his vision for our state’s budget after Wednesday’s State of the State address in the following statement:

“While the chaotic agenda coming out of Washington is focused on tearing down communities by going after their access to health care, ripping away their constitutional rights and weakening decades-old protections for minorities, I am focused on building a better, more inclusive state for all people.

“That work starts with building a better budget that addresses the needs of all people — not just millionaires, billionaires and the most influential multinational corporations. I’m talking about a budget that expands access to health care, invests in disinvested communities and serves the interests of the people instead of special interests.

“Nonetheless, Illinois is one state in a system of 50, and we are limited by that — no amount of budgetary discipline or foresight can make up for the reduction in federal funds the state receives. To achieve our vision for a truly socially and fiscally responsible budget, we need more financial support from the federal government to protect the most vulnerable residents in our state instead of weakening social safety net programs, more resources for safety-net hospitals, community health centers and other organizations that provide health care instead of raising costs for working families, stronger support for our schools and colleges instead of silencing free speech on campus, and action to address the lack of affordable housing and the feeling that homeownership is out of reach for many Americans. We need the federal government to help us address these issues.

“I call on President Donald Trump to recommit to his oath to protect our Constitution and our communities by utilizing our federal resources to make sure that no one in Illinois is left behind, because no community or level of government is unaffected by the affordability crisis and Washington’s decisions to delay the release of federal funds. When they target Democratic-majority states for cuts, they indiscriminately harm our cities, counties, towns and villages throughout the state. These smaller entities have less flexibility to respond to the effects of Washington’s policies, and we must make sure that the federal government works not only with the state but with them as well to make sure that all Illinoisans get what they deserve.”

CHICAGO – As President Joe Biden visited Illinois Wednesday to discuss his American Families Plan, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, joined community leaders to call for federal investment in Chicago’s workforce to create a new trade school.       

“I agree with the President that we need to make transformative investments in infrastructure, education and jobs,” Ford said. “For too long, too many in our community have been left behind and unable to learn the skills needed to get a high-paying job. It’s an underlying reason why crime is out of control in our city. But by prioritizing the creation of a new trade school here in Chicago, we can profoundly create new opportunities for a generation of residents.”

Ford was joined by community advocates, labor leaders and residents to stress the value trade schools can create for residents in Chicago. Trade schools, which can serve as an alternative to attending college, offer attendees an opportunity to learn life-long skills that can translate to well-paying jobs and career opportunities in demand.

“College doesn’t need to be the only path one takes to be successful,” Ford said. “A new trade school will have an immediate impact on our city and will return untold value on an initial investment. With so much unlocked potential throughout Chicago, let’s open the door for more people to pursue the life they deserve.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Following Wednesday’s passage of a proposal to create an elected Chicago Public Schools board, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, is encouraging the use of a task force to ensure that the voices of students, parents and teachers are properly heard as the new system is implemented.

“Our students deserve to have an elected school board, which is something that Mayor Lightfoot and I were in agreement on as candidates,” Ford said. “The people have spoken, and it’s time that we move forward with instituting an elected school board that can more effectively respond to the needs of our students.  But as we do so, we should continue to listen to feedback and use follow up legislation as needed to ensure a smooth transition.”

Anticipating a “trailer bill” may be used to guide the implementation of the elected school board, Ford is encouraging the use of a task force that could provide recommendations before the first board elections. Ford is pointing to a previous task force he helped create in 2014 (House Bill 1152, 98th General Assembly) that included members from Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Board of Education, the Chicago Teachers Union, the General Assembly, and representatives from principals and students. A new version of this task force would be created through Ford’s House Bill 1165.

“We need to have an honest conversation on implementation, and such a task force could help bring everyone to the table to make positive recommendations,” Ford said. “This elected school board will be making decisions on day one that will shape the future of our community. After years of intense debate on the subject, we need to put politics aside and work together on our shared goal of creating the best education system possible for our children.”

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.”

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.