Chicago mayor
Group of Chicagoans want Rep. Ford to run for mayor
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State Rep. La Shawn Ford, an Austin resident, is “open” to running for mayor, though he will not be participating in an event Thursday night organized by others to garner support.
drugs
Bill proposed to allow safe drug injection sites on West Side
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State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford has introduced legislation that would allow people to inject illegal drugs under supervision. He hopes lawmakers will vote on the proposal later this year.
News
Resources available to fight opioid use, reduce drug overdoses
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The West Side Heroin and Opioid Task Force offers training each month to help reduce the record number of overdose deaths.
criminal justice
Criminal justice forum held Thursday night
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The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will hold a virtual forum on criminal justice at 7 p.m. Feb. 11. The panel will include state Rep. La Shawn Ford.
health
Austin Walmart doling out COVID vaccines, but there’s concern over who’s getting the shots
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The Walmart Supercenter in Austin is offering COVID-19 vaccines, but some are concerned the mostly African American community isn’t taking advantage. City data shows 2,742 people in the 60639 ZIP code, where the Walmart is located, have received their first dose. At 3.1% of the ZIP code’s population, it’s among the lowest vaccination rates in the city.
Community
Austin lawmaker leading task force on firearm public awareness
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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.
addiction
Austin lawmaker secures $350,000 grant for West Side Heroin Task Force
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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.
Community
Westside Health Authority gets $1 million grant
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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.
Community
Celebrate Nelson Mandela today
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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.
second chance
‘Second chance’ funding helps prisoners return to society
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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.