La Shawn K. Ford

La Shawn K. Ford was born on February 28, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Cabrini-Green and Austin before entering public service with a mission to build bridges to opportunity for families regardless of their ZIP code. Ford is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 8th District since 2007.

The 8th District encompasses diverse communities including the West Side of Chicago and the suburbs of Oak Park, Berwyn, North Riverside, Forest Park, Proviso Township, Brookfield, La Grange Park, La Grange, and Western Springs. He was first elected in 2006 and has been re-elected six times, winning his initial general election with 83% of the vote.

Education and Professional Background

Ford earned a B.S. from Loyola University Chicago. He worked as a teacher in the Chicago Public Schools and remains certified in that field. In addition to his legislative work, he is a licensed real estate broker and insurance agent, bringing practical business experience to his policy work.

Political Experience and Notable Achievements

Criminal Justice Reform: Ford is widely recognized as one of Illinois' leading champions for criminal justice reform. He authored and passed major legislation on record sealing, expungement, and bail cost reduction. He also authored the "Ban the Box" legislation, which removes barriers to state employment for people with nonviolent records, and has worked to reduce court debt and protect families from predatory fines.

Economic Opportunity: Ford authored the African American Employment Plan Act to expand representation and opportunity in state government. He also chairs the House Democratic Task Force to Increase State Government Business Opportunities for Minority-Owned Enterprises and Small Businesses.

Housing and Consumer Protection: His work has protected thousands of families from foreclosure, eviction, and discrimination. He passed laws requiring transparency from banks and landlords, banned source-of-income discrimination to reduce homelessness, and strengthened consumer protections in real estate, banking, and credit access.

Healthcare and Public Health: Ford introduced legislation that became law establishing the Lupus Education and Awareness Program within the Illinois Department of Public Health and founded the Lupus Legislative Caucus. He also introduced legislation to update state statutes for more current supplemental testing to confirm HIV test results.

Additional Leadership Roles: Ford serves as Chair of the Firearm Public Awareness Task Force and is co-founder of the West Side Heroin Task Force. He received the 2018 Nelson Mandela Award for Justice Honoree from Westside Health Authority in recognition of his tireless service and contributions to fostering peace and fighting for justice on the West Side of Chicago.