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Rep. Ford Receives a Perfect 100% Environmental Rating

Click Below to Print His 2026 Environmental Scorecard

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

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.

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LIHEAP applications are opening soon. Beginning October 1, eligible families can apply by visiting the DCEO website or their local agency.

Eligible applicants include adults 60 and older, individuals with a disability, families with children five years old or younger, and households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank. Applications for all other eligible households will open on November 1.

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

The Patch Reports

September 28, 2026

Illinois' Best High Schools Ranked

In New Analysis

Several Illinois schools are among the best high schools in the country, according to a ranking released Monday by Niche.

For its 2027 Best Schools and Districts in America rankings, Niche analyzed 93,000 public schools, 30,000 private schools and 11,000 school districts nationwide.

The best public high schools in Illinois are:

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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

"If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way."

-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., American civil rights activist

On This Day in History

October 1, 2017

History Reports

May 28, 2026

Gunman opens fire on Las Vegas concert crowd, wounding hundreds and killing 58

On the night of October 1, 2017, a gunman opens fire on a crowd attending the final night of a country music festival in Las Vegas, killing 58 people and injuring more than 800. Although the shooting only lasted 10 minutes, the death and injury tolls made this massacre the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history at the time of the attack.

Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old retired man who lived in Mesquite, Nevada, targeted the crowd of concert-goers on the Las Vegas strip from the 32 floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel. He had checked into the hotel several days before the massacre.

Courthouse News Service Reports

September 30, 2026

At Least 58 Killed as Gunman Opens Fire at Las Vegas Concert

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A gunman perched high on the 32nd floor of a Las Vegas Strip casino unleashed a shower of bullets down on an outdoor country music festival below, killing at least 58 people and wounding more than 500 as tens of thousands of frantic concertgoers screamed and ran for their lives, officials said Monday. It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

President Donald Trump on Monday condemned the mass shooting, calling it “an act of pure evil.”

How the Las Vegas Gunman Planned a Massacre, in 7 Days of Video | NYT - Visual Investigations

Las Vegas Shooting: Chilling New Video Surfaces | TODAY

What we know about Vegas mass shooting suspect Stephen Paddock

Rep. Ford's Poll Questions

Poll Question #1

The Las Vegas shooting lasted approximately 10 minutes and resulted in an extraordinarily high number of casualties. What do you think most influences the severity of a mass shooting?

Please select the option that most accurately reflects your opinion and vote accordingly.

Poll Question #2

The attacker had checked into the hotel several days before the shooting. How should hotels approach situations involving guests who bring large quantities of firearms or ammunition onto a property?

Please select the option that most accurately reflects your opinion and vote accordingly.

Yesterday's Poll Questions

The 1982 Tylenol murders resulted in the deaths of seven people after they took cyanide-laced Extra-Strength Tylenol. What do you think was the most significant impact of the case?

 In 2026, Idaho investigators identified the previously unknown “Unknown Wanderer” as Dr. Mathew Francis Betkouski and reported possible connections to the Tylenol murders. What aspect of this development interests you most?

Knowing History Spotlight Moment

October 1, 2026

1864

Confederate spy Rose O’Neal Greenhow dies

1890

Yosemite National Park established

1903

Pittsburgh beats Boston in first World Series game

1908

Ford Motor Company unveils the Model T

1910

A bomb explodes in the Los Angeles Times building

1920

Scientific American reports that radio will soon be used to transmit music to the home

1924

Jimmy Carter is born

1946

Nazi war criminals sentenced at Nuremberg

1949

Mao Zedong proclaims People’s Republic of China

1958

American Express launches its first credit card

1961

Roger Maris breaks home run record

1962

Johnny Carson makes debut as “Tonight Show” host

1977

Soccer star Pelé plays farewell game

1987

Earthquake rocks Southern California

1988

Mikhail Gorbachev becomes head of Soviet Union

1993

A 12-year-old girl is kidnapped, leading to California’s “three strikes” law

2005

Suicide bombers stage attacks in Bali

2017

Gunman opens fire on Las Vegas concert crowd, wounding hundreds and killing 58

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

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

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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 International Coffee Day

National Today Reports

International Coffee Day energizes the world every October 1. From its ancient origins in Ethiopia to its global omnipresence, coffee fuels billions daily. Join us in celebrating this beloved beverage by exploring new roasts, supporting sustainable practices, and sharing a cup with friends.

The TRUTH of Being A Barista: 5 Things

You Need To Know

Get Connected with Rep. Ford

Rep. Ford's Daily Job Leads

Group Chief Information Officer

Job Requisition ID: 58875 

Opening Date: 09/18/2026

Closing Date: 10/02/2026

Agency: Department of Innovation and Technology

Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070) 

Skill Option: Management Information System/

Data Processing/Telecommunications 

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $14,583-$15,499/Monthly

 ($175,000-$185,988/Annually)

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

Number of Vacancies: 1

Bargaining Unit Code: None

Click Here to Apply

Financial Institutions Examiner Trainee

Job Requisition ID: 58815

Division/Section/Unit: Banking/Banks, Trust Companies

& Savings Institutions/Cook

HR Tracking #: 37741

Position Title: Financial Institutions Examiner Trainee

Banks & Trust - Upward Mobility Program

Opening Date: 09/24/2026

Closing Date: 10/08/2026

Agency: Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Class Title: FIN INSTITUTIONS EXAMINER TRN (14978) 

Skill Option: UMP Credential 

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $4,922 monthly; Full Range $4,922-$6,762 monthly

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

Number of Vacancies: 3

Click Here to Apply

Executive Assistant

Job Requisition ID: 58280 

Opening Date: 09/22/2026

Closing Date: 10/05/2026

Agency: Department of Human Services

Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015 

Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel 

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated Salary: $9,630 - $11,620 per

month ($115,560 - $139,440 per year)

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

Number of Vacancies: 1

Bargaining Unit Code: None

Click Here to Apply

Peer Self Advocate

Job Requisition ID: 57741 

Opening Date: 09/25/2026

Closing Date: 10/15/2026

Agency: Department of Human Services

Class Title: CONTRACTUAL WORKER - 10000 

Skill Option: None 

Bilingual Option: 

Salary: Anticipated Salary: $25.31 - $33.41 per hour

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Part Time 

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”.

Click Image to Connect with a local Chamber of Commerce and Explore Job Postings in the Eighth Legislative District

Rep. Ford's Community Events

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Rep Ford's Special Edition Newsletters

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Stay connected with Rep. Ford to stay up-to-date with the latest news and upcoming events!