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La Shawn K. Ford

News

As many as 700,000 Illinoisans at risk of losing Medicaid coverage this year

By Michelle Meyer | April 23, 2023

Medicaid enrollees will need to resubmit eligibility to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to maintain coverage.

News

Witness protection program to receive funding in new state budget

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | April 19, 2022

Austin lawmaker La Shawn Ford said the new state budget includes $12 million to fund Illinois’ witness protection program. The Leaders Network has been pushing for the funding for years.

health

Austin lawmaker shares prostate cancer story

By Jordyn Harrison | September 21, 2021

State Rep. La Shawn Ford shared his story of overcoming cancer, and 30 men were screened for prostate cancer at West Suburban Medical Center last weekend. Free screening is available through the end of September at The Loretto Hospital.

coronavirus

West Side officials encourage residents to get COVID-19 vaccine

By Shelby E. Hawkins | March 2, 2021

A virtual town hall held last weekend addressed the reservations some people have about getting the vaccine. Officials said it’s especially important that African Americans get vaccinated, since Black Chicagoans are dying at a higher rate than other groups.

health

MLK Day celebrated with a reminder to stay healthy

By Shelby E. Hawkins | January 21, 2021

The 14th annual family health challenge, organized by state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday by stressing the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Austin

Racial reconciliation symposium focuses on changing the narrative

By Shelby E. Hawkins | November 8, 2020

The event, held virtually and at the Kehrein Center for the Arts and presented by the Austin Renaissance Council, highlighted the importance of storytelling with panel discussions, poetry and musical guests. It prompted uncomfortable conversations, emphasizing the importance of Austin residents taking control of their narratives.

school

West Side lawmakers put spotlight on state of education

By David Woods | October 23, 2016

Parents and teachers from Chicago’s West Side and Oak Park attended a legislative forum last week at which funding and other issues were discussed.

Opinion

It’s time for change in 2013

By Rep. La Shawn Ford | January 2, 2013

State Rep. La Shawn Ford urges the governor to establish a commission to create a plan to address poverty.

News

  • Arts center celebrates Black youth with new mural 

    By Francia Garcia Hernandez Chicago artist Barrett Keithley stood with open arms before young elementary and middle school students from Catalyst Circle Rock last week. Behind him, glimpses of colorful patterns and musical notes caught the students’ eyes, awaiting to see Keithley’s work.

  • Still time to run or walk in Saturday’s 5K

    The eighth annual Austin P.O.W.E.R. 5K will kick off Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the heart of Austin - at the corner of Chicago and Mayfield avenues. It's not too late to sign up; the cost is $45 per walker/runner.

  • Food delivery service for Austin residents with disabilities extended

    By Francia Garcia Hernandez A city program that delivers food to people with disabilities in Austin has been extended six more months. The city pilot program, launched in February to improve food access for 100 people facing food insecurity, was given funding by the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

  • Diaster recovery centers open in Austin

    FEMA disaster recovery centers opened Aug. 29 in two Austin locations and two other sites in Cook County.

  • West Siders affected by summer flooding can apply for grants, loans from FEMA

    Federal funding is now available to West Side residents and others living in Cook County who have been impacted by flooding that happened earlier this summer, President Joe Biden announced this week. Austin residents are still recovering from record-setting rain and storms that caused devastating flooding in the Chicago area from June 29 to July 2.

  • Rep. Ford pushes overdose prevention sites for Chicago

    By Francia Garcia Hernandez A dozen medical experts, outreach workers and advocates joined state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford last week in his push to open a pilot overdose prevention site in Chicago, possibly on the West Side. Standing at the corner of West Van Buren Street and South Pulaski Road, one of many West Side areas with high overdose rates, Ford called for the public and lawmakers to support a bill that would allow the creation of overdose prevention sites in Chicago.

  • Free film and food!

  • New mural of U.S. Rep. Danny Davis unveiled at Safer Foundation

    A new 3,500-square-foot, 30-foot-high colorful representation of Congressman Danny Davis adorns the walls of the Safer Foundation building, 808 S. Kedzie Ave. in East Garfield Park.

  • Farmers market at Austin Town Hall kicks off

    Over 100 people stopped by Austin Town Hall, 5610 W. Lake St., last Thursday for its first day of the 2023 season. Five vendors sold their products, with many more vendors expected in coming weeks; the market will operate on Thursdays from 1 to 6 p.m. through Oct.

  • CPS launches waffles at breakfast for Austin HS students

    On a recent sunny Thursday morning, students lined up in the cafeteria to grab free waffles at Michele Clark Magnet High School before the school day started. The waffles are a new pilot program created by Chicago Public Schools to get more students to participate in school breakfast.

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