Help Chicago heal

The suicide of Illinois State Police Trooper Gerald Mason is a tragedy for his family, his co-workers and for all of us, writes state Rep. La Shawn Ford. How can we make sense of this? How can we prevent suicide?

National Recovery Month is personal and universal

State Rep. La Shawn Ford reminds us that every family has someone who has struggled with addiction and substance use disorder. “We are in this together.” Meeting someone where they are at means bridging the gap between your own expectations and where the other person is coming from.

Chicago needs to focus on Black lives

“What does a focus on Black Lives look like? First, we have to VALUE Black Lives. We have to be honest about the history of Black Lives in our country and in our city. Stories have to be told about the past and the present,” says state Rep. La Shawn Ford.

Chicago needs to focus on Black lives

What does a focus on Black lives look like? asks state Rep. La Shawn Ford.
“First, we have to VALUE Black lives. We have to be honest about the history of Black lives in our country and in our city. Stories have to be told about the past and the present, Ford says.

Improving education in Illinois

Legislation signed into law last week by Gov. J.B. Pritzker expands already required Black history coursework to include pre-enslavement of Black people, why Black people came to be enslaved and the American Civil Rights renaissance. The new law – a key part of the Illinois Black Caucus’ legislative agenda – also increases the percentage of grant funds prioritized for Black males and incorporates consideration of financial need in awarding grants, among other improvements to higher education.