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. | |
Calumet City Mayor and State Rep. Thaddeus Jones Hospitalized
Sending Prayers and Well Wishes for a Full and Speedy Recovery
| Calumet City Mayor and Illinois State Representative Thaddeus Jones was hospitalized at Northwestern Hospital after suffering a minor stroke on Monday, October 26. According to his spokesperson, Jones is recovering well, remains active, and is expected to make a full recovery. We extend our thoughts and prayers to Mayor Jones and his family during this time and wish him a full and speedy recovery. | |
CBS News Reports
October 29, 2026
| Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones hospitalized after suffering minor stroke | |
Calumet City Mayor and Illinois State Representative Thaddeus Jones suffered a minor stroke on Monday, his spokesperson confirmed.
The mayor's spokesperson said Jones is being treated at Northwestern Hospital after experiencing "physical complications" while he was working from home.
After testing, doctors determined Jones suffered a minor stroke and will remain hospitalized for a few days as he works to recover.
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Know the Warning Signs of a Stroke
Recognizing the Symptoms Early Could Save a Life
| Recognizing the warning signs of a stroke can save lives. Remember B.E. F.A.S.T.: Balance difficulties, Eyesight changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to call 911. Other symptoms may include sudden confusion, numbness, or a severe headache. A stroke is a medical emergency, and every second counts. Knowing the signs and taking immediate action can help prevent long-term disability and save lives. | |
American Heart Assosciation Reports
October 8, 2026
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Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S.
Stroke can happen to anyone — any age, any time — and everyone needs to know the warning signs.
On average, 1.9 million brain cells die every minute that a stroke goes untreated.
Stroke is an emergency.
Call 911 immediately.
Early treatment leads to higher survival rates and lower disability rates. Calling 911 lets first responders start treatment on someone experiencing stroke symptoms before arriving at the hospital.
| What happens during a stroke? | Click image below to Rep. Ford's special edition on Breast Cancer Awareness Month | Click image below to Rep. Ford's special edition on Domestic Violence Awareness Month | |
Illinois Energy Assistance
LIHEAP and ComEd Program Applications Now Open Through October 30th
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Illinois residents and community organizations are encouraged to take advantage of important energy assistance programs and funding opportunities available this fall through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and ComEd.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Applications Now Open
Applications opened October 1, 2026, for LIHEAP, which provides financial assistance to eligible low-income households struggling with utility costs. The program offers a one-time payment directly to energy providers to help reduce household energy expenses.
Residents can apply through the DCEO website or contact their local community action agency.
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ComEd Energy Force Ambassador Program
$8,000 Funding Opportunity for Organizations Supporting Adults with Disabilities
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ComEd Energy Force Ambassador Program – Apply by October 30, 2026
ComEd is accepting applications for its 2027 Energy Force Ambassador Program, which empowers adults with developmental disabilities to educate communities about energy efficiency and clean energy solutions.
Selected organizations will receive $8,000 in funding to support ambassador stipends, staffing, travel, and program coordination.
Application Deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026
Residents and community organizations are encouraged to explore these opportunities and share this information with those who may benefit.
| Click Images Below to Print | |
Community Opportunity
Cary School District 26 Seeks Applicants for School Board Vacancy — Apply by November 6, 2026
| Cary Community Consolidated School District 26 is seeking qualified residents to fill an upcoming vacancy on its Board of Education through the April 2027 election. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old, registered voters, and residents of the district for at least one year. Interested individuals must submit a letter of interest, resume, qualifications, and proof of residency by Friday, November 6, 2026. This opportunity allows community members to help shape educational policies, district priorities, and decisions affecting local students and families. For more information, visit www.cary26.org. | Click image below to learn more | |
Rep. Ford Receives a Perfect 100% Environmental Rating
Click Below to Print His 2026 Environmental Scorecard
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Grant Opportunities and Resources
Connecting Our Community to Funding, Support, and New Possibilities
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ComEd Community Updates
$205K in Arts Grants, $1 Billion in Grid Commitments, and $63 Million in Customer Savings
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ComEd recently announced several initiatives supporting Illinois communities, businesses, and residents. In partnership with the League of Chicago Theatres, ComEd awarded $205,000 in grants to 19 arts projects across northern Illinois. The company also secured over $1 billion in financial commitments from large energy users, including data center developers, to help protect customers from infrastructure costs. Additionally, ComEd's Hourly Pricing Program has helped residential customers save $63 million since 2007, offering opportunities to reduce electricity expenses by shifting energy use to off-peak hours.
Click below to learn more about these initiatives through ComEd's latest announcements:
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Click image below to Apply for Funding
DCEO Grant Opportunities
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Click image below to Apply for
Grants and Loans
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State of Illinois Reports
October 8, 2026
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Gov. Pritzker Announces $1.8 Million in Grant Funds for Local Food Infrastructure
Across Illinois
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SPRINGFIELD – Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) today announced $1.8 million in available funding for the Local Food Infrastructure Grants (LFIG) program. This funding bolsters food access in Illinois and supports items such as refrigerated vehicles, livestock processing, community kitchens, and more. These grants strengthen local and regional food supply chains, which increases access to Illinois agricultural products for communities across the state.
“Local farmers, food processors, and small businesses play a critical role in ensuring Illinois families in every corner of the state have access to nutritious, local food,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “By equipping producers with funds for infrastructure development and expansion, this program reduces food insecurities while strengthening local economies. I encourage all eligible entities to apply.”
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Career Opportunities and Job Openings
Connecting Our Community to New Employment Opportunities and Professional Growth
| The Illinois Fire Service Institute Reports |
Veterans in the Fire Service Day - Current Members of the Fire Service : 12.00 Hours on October 17th
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TWO DAY UNIQUE AND CHALLENGING PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY.
This annual event is designed for US Armed Forces Veterans who have also served or are serving as a member of the fire service.
The Veterans in the Fire Service Day will offer a day of hands-on, live fire training activities. Attendees will engage with an elite group of IFSI instructors who will introduce essential firefighting skills while participating in rigorous training rotations.
IFSI encourages attendees to network and share professional and personal experiences. The program allows ample time for discussing the parallels of the fire service and the US Armed Forces throughout the special event.
Loaner firefighting personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) will be available to students. Advance reservations for gear are preferred.
| Click Image Below for Current Employment Opportunities | |
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.
| Click images below to print | |
This is your opportunity to meet hundreds of motivated, qualified candidates for your open opportunities!
Daley College Career Fairs attract candidates from across the region - from experienced, trained, and certified to early career and ready-to onboard, train and retain
Featuring advanced manufacturing and adjacent sectors, this Career Fair offers a great opportunity to connect with top-quality candidates in-person
As one recent employer shared:
"We always struggle to find qualified, motivated candidates for our opportunities, but at this Fair we met so many great prospects, and we've already scheduled follow-up interviews. This was a very profitable event for us!"
There is no cost to you thanks to the support of City Colleges of Chicago, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Job Training and Economic Development (JTED) Grant, and your workforce partner - Employment & Employer Services (E&ES)
| NACA: Hiring Housing Counselors, Real Estate Agents and other positions for offices nationwide. Do well financially by making homeownership dreams come true. | Click image below to apply | |
Block Club Chicago News Reports
October 29, 2026
| 26 Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend: Halloween Fun And More | |
CHICAGO — It’s officially Halloweekend in Chicago and the city is celebrating with a weekend full of festive fall fun.
There’s the Haunted on Halsted Parade, which brings Halloween fun to Northalsted all day long. Families can also stop by the Upside Down Halloween Parade in Washington Park or enjoy the return of Austober Fest in Austin.
| Click images below to print | Click below for careers with MWRD to learn more | |
Click below to learn more | Click image below to learn more | |
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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 | |
“Make up your mind that no matter what comes your way, no matter how difficult, no matter how unfair, you will do more than simply survive. You will thrive in spite of it.”
-Joel Osteen, American pastor
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On This Day in History
October 31, 1864
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History Reports
July 14, 2026
| The U.S. Congress admits Nevada as the 36th state | |
On October 31, 1864, anxious to have support of the Republican-dominated Nevada Territory for President Abraham Lincoln’s reelection, the U.S. Congress quickly admits Nevada as the 36th state in the Union.
| Admission of Nevada to the Union | |
The admission of Nevada to the United States as the 36th state occurred on October 31, 1864, during a critical period of the Civil War. This event was facilitated by President Abraham Lincoln's proclamation, reflecting the need for additional Republican representation in Congress at the time. Nevada's journey to statehood was influenced by its geographical features, including arid landscapes and mountainous regions, which shaped the lives of its early inhabitants, such as the Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe tribes. European exploration began in the 1770s, but significant settlement did not take place until the discovery of mineral wealth, particularly the Comstock Lode in 1859, which attracted a rush of fortune-seekers and led to rapid population growth in towns like Virginia City.
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On this Day in History: The U.S. Congress admits Nevada as the 36th state. #onthisdayinhistory
| The U.S. Congress grants statehood to Nevada, making it the 36th state (TIH) | |
Knowing History Spotlight Moment
October 31, 2026
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1517
Martin Luther post 95 theses
1776
King George gives first parliamentary address after the Declaration of Independence
1837
Hundreds of Creek Indians die in Monmouth steamboat disaster
They were being relocated from their ancestral homelands.
1864
The U.S. Congress admits Nevada as the 36th state
1926
Celebrated magician Harry Houdini dies
1950
Earl Lloyd becomes first Black player to suit up in the NBA
1961
Stalin’s body removed from Lenin’s tomb
1963
Freak explosion at Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum kills 74
1963
Ed Sullivan witnesses Beatlemania firsthand, paving the way for the British Invasion
1984
Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi is assassinated
1993
Actor River Phoenix dies
1997
Violet Palmer becomes first woman to officiate an NBA game
2008
Satoshi Nakamoto publishes a paper introducing Bitcoin
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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
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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
| Click image below to find your elected official | |
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
| Click image below to view Rep. Ford's special edition on mental health | |
Essential Support Services
Free Assistance for Unemployment, Housing, Health Care, Food, and Legal Help
| Click Image Below to File for Unemployment Insurance | 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 | Click Image Below to Learn More About Health Insurance | Click Image Below to Learn More About Homeowners Assistance | Click Image Below to Learn More About Free Legal Services | |
Resources for Nonprofit Organizations
Tools, Funding, and Support to Strengthen Your Mission
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Click Image Below to Learn More About Federal Safety and Security Grants available to
Non-Profit Organizations Statewide
| | It's National Lung Health Day | | |
Lung Health Day advocates for vital respiratory well-being every fourth Wednesday of October. This important day urges everyone to prioritize lung care, understand common diseases, and engage in preventative measures. Take action by learning about risk factors, supporting research, and sharing information to help others breathe easier.
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5 things I wish I knew before becoming an X-ray Tech | | Get Connected with Rep. Ford | | Rep. Ford's Daily Job Leads | |
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Graphic Arts Designer
Job Requisition ID: 59650
Opening Date: 10/19/2026
Closing Date: 11/02/2026
Agency: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Class Title: GRAPHIC ARTS DESIGNER - 17366
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $5,127 monthly; Full Range
$5,127 - $7,135 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Click Here to Apply
Documentation Reviewer
Job Requisition ID: 59588 IPR#26-01874
Opening Date: 10/19/2026
Closing Date: 11/02/2026
Agency: Department of Transportation
Position Title: Engineering Technician III
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $4,159 Monthly;
Full Range: $4,159 - $7,187 Monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Click Here to Apply
Executive Projects Manager
Job Requisition ID: 59469
Opening Date: 10/19/2026
Closing Date: 11/02/2026
Agency: Department of Healthcare and Family Services
BPIS: 07759
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option: General Administration/Business
Marketing/Labor/Personnel
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated starting salary $8,500-$10,500/based on experience Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Click Here to Apply
Associate Director Bilingual Education and Care Services
Job Requisition ID: 59449
Opening Date: 10/19/2026
Closing Date: 11/02/2026
Agency: Department of Early Childhood
Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070)
Skill Option: General Administration/Business
Marketing/Labor/Personnel
Bilingual Option: Spanish
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $9,500 - $11,000 per month ($114,000 - $132,000 per year)
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Click Here to Apply
| Click below to view job highlights from previous dates | |
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Based on Industry
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Federal, State and City Jobs
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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”.
| Click Image to Connect with a local Chamber of Commerce and Explore Job Postings in the Eighth Legislative District | | Rep. Ford's Community Events | |
Click image below to learn more information about Oak Park Township | | Rep Ford's Special Edition Newsletters | | Click Image Below to View Global Eye Magazine's Special Feature on Rep. Ford | | Click Image Below to View Chicago News Weekly Special Feature on Rep. Ford | Click Image Below to View Chicago News Weekly's Article on Rep. Ford | | Stay connected with Rep. Ford to stay up-to-date with the latest news and upcoming events! | | | | |
