AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/rep-la-shawn-ford/)
State Rep. La Shawn Ford is serving chairman of the Illinois House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force, which will review the issue of gun violence and make recommendations designed to reduce violence.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford announced the news Aug. 31, which is International Overdose Awareness Day. The lead agency for the award will be Prevention Partnership Inc., a 35- year-old agency located in the Austin neighborhood.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford helped secure the $1 million grant in the new state budget, which took effect July 1. The money will help fund the Westside Health Authority’s ongoing “Good Neighbor Campaign.” Last year, the campaign received a $250,000 state grant.
The public is invited to celebrate the Nobel Peace Prize winner and first president of post-apartheid South Africa Thursday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at 5051 W. Chicago Ave. Mandela died in 2013.
Congressman Danny Davis, state Rep. La Shawn Ford and others gathered earlier this month to advocate for more funding for prisoners being released back into society. This month marks the 11th anniversary of the federal Second Chance Act, which Davis helped push through Congress.
PCC Parkside Family Health Center is the 12th PCC health clinic and represents $1.7 million in investment, said Robert J. Urso, president and CEO of PCC Community Wellness Center. “We’re grateful for the privilege to serve this community and deepen our commitment to the West Side.”
Candidates wanting to replace Mayor Rahm Emanuel or serve as one of the 50 members of the Chicago City Council have until Nov. 26 to file their petitions.
Austin residents can still register to vote in next month’s election. Dozens of races are on the ballot, including governor, attorney general, the Illinois General Assembly, Congress and judges.
State Sen. Kimberly Lightfoot, and Reps. La Shawn Ford and Camille Lilly discussed with AustinTalks the legislation they pushed during the session that ended in late May.
The “State of the African American Male (SAAM)” conference, slated for Sept. 8 and 8 at University of Illinois at Chicago, feature a resource fair and workshops on issues including violence, jobs and poverty.