Rep. Ford Receives a Perfect 100% Environmental Rating

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NBC 5 Chicago Reports

August 31, 2026

Heat advisory issued as feels-like temperatures near 105 degrees this week

The Chicago area is bracing for a late-summer heat wave, with heat index values as high as 105 degrees possible in the coming days.

A heat advisory is set to take effect from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday for the following areas: LaSalle, Kendall, Grundy, Kankakee, Will and southern Cook counties in Illinois, along with Lake, Porter, Newton and Jasper counties in Indiana.

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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

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."

-Ella Fitzgerald, American vocalist and songwriter

On This Day in History

September 1, 1998

History Reports

May 27, 2025

Federal legislation makes airbags mandatory

On September 1, 1998, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 finally goes into effect. The law required that all cars and light trucks sold in the United States have airbags on both sides of the front seat.

Inspired by the inflatable protective covers on Navy torpedoes, an industrial engineering technician from Pennsylvania named John Hetrick patented a design for a “safety cushion assembly for automotive vehicles” in 1953. The next year, Hetrick sent sketches of his device to Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler, but the automakers never responded. Inflatable-safety-cushion technology languished until 1965, when Ralph Nader’s book “Unsafe at Any Speed” speculated that seat belts and air bags together could prevent thousands of deaths in car accidents.

Pubmed Reports

March 13, 2024

Summary of influences that led to introduction of frontal airbags on US passenger vehicles

Objective: The history of airbags for occupant protection in frontal crashes is reviewed from the perspective of a former Senior Executive at NHTSA from the early 1970's to the late 1980's. This paper summarizes the factors that led to regulatory delays as well as those that led to voluntary adoption of airbags by several manufacturers.

How Do Airbags Work?

The Controversy Over Airbags

Rep. Ford's Poll Questions

Poll Question #1

Airbags were controversial because deployment could seriously injure children and smaller adults. What do you think this demonstrates about new safety technology?

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

Poll Question #2

Airbags were designed to protect people who might not be wearing seat belts. What do you think is the most important takeaway from this history?

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

Saturday's Poll Results

What do you believe was the biggest factor that turned Hurricane Katrina from a powerful storm into one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history?

How should Hurricane Katrina be remembered 21 years later, considering the lives lost, communities displaced and questions raised about government response?

Knowing History Spotlight Moment

September 1, 2026

1775

King George refuses Olive Branch Petition

1777

Sam Mason survives attack on Fort Henry

1807

Aaron Burr acquitted of treason

1850

P.T. Barnum brings European opera star Jenny Lind to New York

1864

Confederate forces abandon Atlanta

1917

Soldier recounts brush with poison gas

1923

Japan’s Great Kanto Earthquake kills over 140,000

1939

Germany invades Poland

1964

First Japanese player makes MLB debut

1966

French president Charles de Gaulle urges the United States to get out of Vietnam

1969

Qaddafi leads coup in Libya

1971

Pittsburgh Pirates field MLB’s first all-Black lineup

1972

Bobby Fischer becomes the first American to win the World Chess Championship

1981

A teenage boy murders his father

1983

Korean Airlines flight shot down by Soviet Union

1985

Wreck of the Titanic found

1998

Federal legislation makes airbags mandatory

2001

First Muslim holiday U.S. postage stamp is issued

2004

Chechen separatists storm Russian school

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

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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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Resources for Nonprofit Organizations

Tools, Funding, and Support to Strengthen Your Mission

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Non-Profit Organizations Statewide

It's National Breastfeeding Month

National Today Reports

National Breastfeeding Month dedicates every August to raising awareness about the profound health benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers. This annual observance promotes education, support, and advocacy for lactation. Join the conversation, share your stories, and support policies that empower breastfeeding families.

What does a lactation consultant do?

Get Connected with Rep. Ford

Rep. Ford's Daily Job Leads

Financial Reporting Manager- PSA

Job Requisition ID: 56903 

Opening Date: 08/21/2026

Closing Date: 09/04/2026

Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice

Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015 

Skill Option: Special License - Certified Public Accountant 

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated starting salary is $8,571/month

(Step 1b); CBA applies; Full Range: $8,571 - $12,651

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

County: Sangamon

Number of Vacancies: 1

Click Here to Apply

ion Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 57963 IPR#26-01636

Opening Date: 08/24/2026

Closing Date: 09/08/2026

Agency: Department of Transportation

Position Title: Civil Engineer V

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $6,837 Monthly;

Full Range: $6,837-$10,831 Monthly

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

County: Lee

Number of Vacancies: 1

Click Here to Apply

EAS Administrative Assistant

Job Requisition ID: 57119 

Opening Date: 08/24/2026

Closing Date: 09/08/2026

Agency: Department of Innovation and Technology

Class Title: ADMIN ASSISTANT I - 00501 

Skill Option: None 

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary (effective 07/01/26): $5,834/month;

Full Range: $5,834-$8,307/month

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

County: Sangamon

Number of Vacancies: 1

Click Here to Apply

Social Services Program Planner

Job Requisition ID: 55491 

Opening Date: 08/19/2026

Closing Date: 09/02/2026

Agency: Department of Children and Family Services

Class Title: SOCIAL SERV PROGRAM PLANNER III (41313) 

Title: Social Service Program Planner III - Regional Contract Analyst 

Skill Option: None 

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary (effective 7/1/2026) $6,820/monthly;

Full Range $6,820 - $9,875/monthly

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

County: Cook

Number of Vacancies: 1

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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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