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Rep. Ford Receives a Perfect 100% Environmental Rating

Click Below to Print His 2026 Environmental Scorecard

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latest news on AI

AI: Friend, Foe, or Both?

A Town Hall for Every Generation

Illinois DCEO Announces Three New Clean Energy Workforce Funding Opportunities

Apply by October 30

The Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program

The Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program funds 14 regional Clean Jobs Workforce Hubs (Workforce Hubs) throughout Illinois to provide clean energy and related workforce and training opportunities to participants. The program serves people living in equity eligible

communities, with robust barrier reduction funding available for participants who experience barriers to employment.

Community-based organizations that provide employment, skill development, or related services to members of the community are invited to apply. Eligible applicants include community colleges, nonprofits, and local governments that have an operating office in the community or region they serve and demonstrate relationships with residents and other organizations serving the community.

Energy Transition Navigator Program

The Energy Transition Navigators Program provides outreach, recruitment, and entry services for the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, the Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program, and other CEJA workforce and contractor programs. DCEO will provide grants to not-for-profit community-based providers (“Navigator Teams”) to conduct outreach and recruitment among eligible populations and help ensure they are aware of and engaged in statewide and local workforce and contractor development opportunities.

Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program

The Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program provides grants to organizations to operate three regional Pre-apprenticeship Centers throughout Illinois. The Pre-apprenticeship Centers will recruit and prescreen participants and provide free pre-apprenticeship skills training for careers in construction, the building trades, and clean energy. Upon completion, participants will be connected to and prepared to succeed in an apprenticeship program. The program aims to create a qualified and diverse pipeline of workers for clean energy careers.

Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations that provide employment, skill development, or related services in the proposed regions; have established relationships with local residents and community organizations; have experience serving low-wage or low-skilled workers from economically disadvantaged communities; and have relationships with registered construction and building trade apprenticeship programs, industry contractors, or contractor associations.

Chicago Police Superintendent Search

Spanish-Language Community Listening Session

English

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) invites Chicago residents to participate in a citywide listening session conducted entirely in Spanish as part of the search for Chicago’s next Superintendent of Police.

This is an opportunity for Spanish-speaking residents to share their experiences, priorities, and the qualities they would like to see in the next leader of the Chicago Police Department.

Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Little Village Lawndale High

School, 3120 S. Kostner Avenue, Chicago, IL

Unable to attend? Residents can share their feedback online through September 30.

Español

Búsqueda del Superintendente 2026: Sesión Comunitaria de Escucha en Español

La Comisión Comunitaria para la Seguridad Pública y la Responsabilidad (CCPSA) invita a los residentes de Chicago a participar en una sesión comunitaria de escucha que se llevará a cabo exclusivamente en español, como parte de la búsqueda del próximo Superintendente del Departamento de Policía de Chicago.

Esta es una oportunidad para compartir sus experiencias, prioridades y las cualidades que les gustaría ver en el próximo líder del Departamento de Policía de Chicago.

Fecha: Martes, 29 de septiembre de 2026 Hora: 6:30 p. m. Lugar: Little Village Lawndale High School, 3120 S. Kostner Avenue, Chicago, IL

¿No puede asistir? Puede compartir sus comentarios en línea hasta el 30 de septiembre.

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Representative La Shawn K. Ford invites you to the "What Do Young People Think?" Emerging Voices Forum on Saturday, September 26th, from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM at Austin Town Hall Park, 5610 W. Lake St., Chicago.

Young leaders will discuss artificial intelligence, civic engagement, and career readiness, with a resource fair from our partner organizations. Admission is free and lunch is provided. Forum participation is open to students 18 and under, and the event welcomes all ages as observers.

Please share with any students, parents, schools, or organizations who may be interested. RSVP is required to attend - link can be found in the QR code on the flyer.

Help spread the word. Click the image below, copy and paste it, then text it to a friend or family member looking for a job.

NACA: Hiring Housing Counselors, Real Estate Agents and other positions for offices nationwide. Do well financially by making homeownership dreams come true.

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Click image below to view Rep. Ford's Employment Report for July 2026

NBC News Reports

September 25, 2026

23 cases of measles confirmed in Illinois this year. See where you could've been exposed

There have been 23 confirmed cases of measles in Illinois this year, officials said on Friday while asking residents to get vaccinated against the highly contagious disease.

Illinois Department of Public Health said 16 of the cases were from an outbreak in Douglas and Moultrie counties in eastern Illinois that involved people who are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination history. There were also cases that were not related to an outbreak in Kane and Madison counties.

"Measles is a highly contagious disease that can easily be spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through direct contact with nose or throat secretions from an infected individual. Although measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, it has experienced a resurgence in recent years due to a drop in national immunization rates," IDPH said in a press release.

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Rep. Ford's Track Record

A Look Back at Rep. Ford’s History of Community Advocacy, Listening, and his Lasting Impact on the West Side

Rep. Ford Takes Action Fighting for the People’s Rights

Click video below to learn more information about Rep. Ford's extensive track record

Quote of the Day

“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.”

-John F. Kennedy, 35th U.S. President

On This Day in History

September 26, 1960

History Reports

September 16, 2026

Kennedy and Nixon square off in first televised presidential debate

On September 26, 1960, for the first time in U.S. history, a debate between major party presidential candidates is broadcast on live television. The presidential hopefuls, John F. Kennedy, a Democratic senator of Massachusetts, and Richard M. Nixon, the vice president of the United States, met in a Chicago studio to discuss U.S. domestic matters.

JFK Library Reports

First Kennedy-Nixon Debate, 26 September 1960

The First Kennedy-Nixon Debate of 1960

Kennedy vs. Nixon - 1st 1960 Debate

Knowing History Spotlight Moment

September 26, 2026

1580

Francis Drake circumnavigates the globe

1820

The famous frontiersman Daniel Boone dies in Missouri

1888

T.S. Eliot is born

1918

Meuse-Argonne offensive opens

1934

RMS Queen Mary launches

1945

First U.S. soldier killed during Vietnam’s August Revolution

1957

“West Side Story” opens on Broadway

1960

Kennedy and Nixon square off in first televised presidential debate

1969

“The Brady Bunch” premieres

1971

4th Oriole pitcher wins 20th game in a single season

1975

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” debuts in U.S. theaters

1980

Lake Placid's Olympic Village reopens as federal prison

Congress required that athletes' dorms be repurposed for inmates.

1996

Shannon Lucid returns to Earth

2005

IRA officially disarms

2007

Mistrial declared in Phil Spector murder case

The Oak Park Police and Fire Department is Hiring!

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Things You Should Know

Key Illinois Facts and Important Terms Every American Should Understand

Key Facts Every Illinoisan Should Know

 Click Image Below to Read a List of Important Words Americans Should Know

Take Action in Your Democracy

Contact the White House and Locate Your Elected Officials

Contact the White House with Your

Concerns Today

If you have any questions, concerns, or issues with the federal government, it is important to reach out to the White House immediately by phone or email. Your voice matters!

Phone Number: (202) 456-1111

Email:  president@whitehouse.gov

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Mental Health Resources

Support, Services, and Help When You Need It

Suicide Prevention Hotline

Help is available; speak with someone today:

Suicide Prevention & Crisis Lifeline - Dial 988

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Essential Support Services

Free Assistance for Unemployment, Housing, Health Care, Food, and Legal Help

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Click Image Below to Learn 10 Things You Should Know About Filing Unemployment Insurance

Click Image Below to Learn About Cash, SNAP and Medical Assistance

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Resources for Nonprofit Organizations

Tools, Funding, and Support to Strengthen Your Mission

Click Image Below to Learn More About Federal Safety and Security Grants available to

Non-Profit Organizations Statewide

It's National Rehab Week

National Today Reports

Rehab Week champions the vital role of rehabilitation services every third week of September. This observance highlights the profound impact these programs have on individuals’ lives, empowering them to regain independence and improve their quality of life. Join us in recognizing the dedicated professionals and innovative therapies that make recovery possible, and explore ways to support those on their rehabilitation journey.

5 Steps to Start Your Career as a Substance Abuse Counselor

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Rep. Ford's Daily Job Leads

Assistant Administrator

Job Requisition ID: 58930 

Opening Date: 09/24/2026

Closing Date: 10/08/2026

Agency: Capital Development Board

Class Title: ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR (60252) 

Skill Option: None 

Bilingual Option: 

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $10,900-$12,900 monthly

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

Number of Vacancies: 1

Bargaining Unit Code: None/non-code

Merit Comp Code: None/non-code

Click Here to Apply

Bank Examiner I

Job Requisition ID: 58816 

Division/Section/Unit: Banking / Banks, Trust Companies & Savings Institutions / Cook

HR Tracking #: 37744

Position Title: Bank Examiner I

Opening Date: 09/24/2026

Closing Date: 10/08/2026

Agency: Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Class Title: BANK EXAMINER I - 04131 

Skill Option: UMP Credential 

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $5,572 monthly; Full Range $5,572 - $7,898 monthly

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

Number of Vacancies: 3

Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME

Merit Comp Code: 

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Click Here to Apply

Fair Hearings Office Assistant

Job Requisition ID: 59093 

BPIS: 08672

Opening Date: 09/24/2026

Closing Date: 10/08/2026

Agency: Department of Healthcare and Family Services

Class Title: OFFICE ASSISTANT - 30010 

Skill Option: Keyboarding 

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated starting salary $3,935 monthly; Full salary range $3,935 - $5,051 monthly

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

Number of Vacancies: 1

Click Here to Apply

Special Assistant General Counsel

Job Requisition ID: 58540

Opening Date: 09/08/2026

Closing Date: 10/06/2026

​Agency: Department of Children and Family Services

Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015 Skill Option: Special License - Illinois Law License 

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $10,350 - $11,600/month

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

County: Cook

Number of Vacancies: 1

Bargaining Unit Code: None

Click Here to Apply

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Based on Industry

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Federal, State and City Jobs

Eighth District Community

Explore Local Small Businesses Through the Eighth District Chamber of Commerce

Despite losing 9.1 million jobs in the first two quarters of 2020, small businesses job growth rebounded swiftly following the COVID-19 recession. In the four quarters following, small businesses have gained 5.5 million jobs, making up for 60 percent of the decline during the early pandemic.

Small businesses have generated 12.9 million net new jobs over the past 25 years, accounting for two out of every three jobs added to the economy. For more, read Advocacy’s latest fact sheet, “Small Business Job Creation”.

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Rep. Ford's Community Events

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Rep Ford's Special Edition Newsletters

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