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.

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.

Click images below to print

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.

Click image below to Apply for Funding

DCEO Grant Opportunities

You're Invited: Celebrate Austin's Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation at the 2026 Landmarks Illinois Preservation Awards on November 6!

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

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

Associated Press Reports

October 11, 2026

Judge orders the Trump administration to cancel taxpayer-funded promotional TV ads

President Donald Trump must cancel any remaining television commercials paid for with millions of dollars in taxpayer money to promote his political message, a federal judge ordered Sunday night, even as the administration said the ad campaign was coming to an end.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon in New York sided with a coalition, including the nonpartisan watchdog Common Cause, that challenged the ads as an illegal misuse of funds. She told the administration to cancel any remaining ads, including any set to air Sunday night, in granting a temporary restraining order.

Click images below to print

Click below to learn more

Click image below to learn more

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

“Whoever debases others is debasing himself.”

-James Baldwin, American writer and civil rights activist

On This Day in History

October 12, 1927

History Reports

May 27, 2026

Racial violence breaks out aboard U.S. Navy ships

Racial violence flares aboard U.S. Navy ships on October 12, 1972. Forty six sailors are injured in a race riot involving more than 100 sailors on the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk en route to her station in the Gulf of Tonkin off Vietnam. The incident broke out when a Black sailor was summoned for questioning regarding an altercation that took place during the crew’s liberty in Subic Bay (in the Philippines). The sailor refused to make a statement and he and his friends started a brawl that resulted in sixty sailors being injured during the fighting. Eventually 26 men, all Black, were charged with assault and rioting and were ordered to appear before a court-martial in San Diego.

Navy Times Reports

February 28, 2017

Race riot at sea — 1972 Kitty Hawk incident fueled fleet-wide unrest

It was not a good time for the carrier Kitty Hawk as it steamed across the South China Sea toward Vietnam in October 1972. The ship already had been deployed for eight months, and was on track to spend a record number of days at sea with a grueling pace of flight operations to support U.S. troops in Vietnam.

Racial tensions were high, in part stemming from the civil rights movement at home. There were nearly 4,500 sailors aboard — and only 302 were black. Inside the Navy, race relations were uniquely troubled as black sailors were typically assigned to the ship's most miserable jobs.

A Riot Injured 50 Men. The Navy Only Charged Black Sailors

Navy exonerates Black sailors charged in Port Chicago disaster 80 years later

Rep. Ford's Poll Questions

Poll Question #1

The 1972 racial conflicts aboard the USS Kitty Hawkexposed deep racial tensions within the U.S. Navy. Do you believe the military was doing enough to address racial discrimination at the time?

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

Poll Question #2

Following the USS Kitty Hawkincident, 26 Black sailors were charged with assault and rioting. What is your perspective on how these cases were handled?

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

Knowing History Spotlight Moment

October 12, 2026

1492

Columbus reaches the “New World”

1786

Thomas Jefferson composes an extraordinary romantic letter

1810

The origin of Oktoberfest: a Bavarian royal wedding

1870

Robert E. Lee dies

1915

British nurse Edith Cavell executed

1918

Fire rages in Minnesota

1940

Silent-film star Tom Mix dies in Arizona car wreck

1945

Conscientious objector awarded Medal of Honor

1960

Nikita Khrushchev allegedly brandishes his shoe at the United Nations

1964

USSR leads the space race

1972

Racial violence breaks out aboard U.S. Navy ships

1986

Soviet-U.S. arms control talks break down over President Reagan’s “Star Wars” initiative

1997

John Denver dies in an aircraft accident

1998

Matthew Shepard, victim of anti-gay hate crime, dies

2000

USS Cole attacked by terrorists

2002

Terrorists kill 202 in Bali

2007

Al Gore wins Nobel Prize in the wake of ‘An Inconvenient Truth’

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

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

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

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee

Job Requisition ID: 59246 

Opening Date: 10/06/2026

Closing Date: 10/20/2026

Agency: Department of Human Services

Class Title: REHABILITATION COUNSELOR TRAINEE - 38159 

Skill Option: Vocational Rehab- Credential / Rehab. Counselor Trainee 

Bilingual Option: Spanish

Salary: Anticipated Salary: $5,328-$7,480/month ($63,936-$89,760/year) + bilingual pay

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

Number of Vacancies: 1

Click Here to Apply

Program Representative

Job Requisition ID: 59294 

Opening Date: 10/01/2026

Closing Date: 10/16/2026

Agency: Department of Employment Security

Class Title: EMP SEC PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE (13650) 

Skill Option: UMP Certificate 

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

Security Officer

Job Requisition ID: 58276 

Opening Date: 09/30/2026

Closing Date: 10/14/2026

Agency: Department of Human Services

Class Title: SECURITY OFFICER - 39870 

Skill Option: UMP Certificate 

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated Salary: $5,096 - $6,892 per month ($61,152 - $82,704 per year)

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

Number of Vacancies: 1

Click Here to Apply

Quality Manager

Job Requisition ID: 59051 

Opening Date: 10/06/2026

Closing Date: 10/20/2026

Agency: Department of Human Services

Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015 

Skill Option: Health and Human Services 

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated Salary: $9,542 - $10,332 per month ($114,504 - $123,984 per year)

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

Number of Vacancies: 1

Click Here to Apply

Click image below to view job highlights from previous dates

Click Image Below to View Jobs

Based on Industry

Click Image Below to View

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

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!