AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/rep-la-shawn-ford/)
Dozens of riders are expected to start at 8 a.m. June 3, traveling through Austin Englewood and other neighborhoods on their 50-mile trek through Chicago.
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.
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.
The West Side Heroin and Opioid Task Force offers training each month to help reduce the record number of overdose deaths.
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.
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.
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.