Rep. Ford Receives a Perfect 100% Environmental Rating

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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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KWQC Reports

September 15, 2026

$26M Illinois grants aims to tackle food deserts, revitalize local grocers

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (KWQC) — Local grocery stores are getting support from a more than $26 million Illinois grant.

While most of the funds will support opening new stores in food deserts, existing independent grocers—including The Green Store in Rock Island— could get critical support for facility upgrades.

“How many Hy-Vees do we have? How many Walmart’s do we have? And then how many Green Stores do we have?” owner Demetrius Johnson said. “There’s only one of us.”

For Johnson, the funding presents an opportunity to modernize and expand.

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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

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Quote of the Day

"I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over … No poor, rural, weak, or black person should ever again have to bear the additional burden of being deprived of the opportunity for an education, a job, or simple justice."

-Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President

On This Day in History

September 18, 1973

History Reports

June 30, 2025

Jimmy Carter files report on UFO sighting

Future President Jimmy Carter files a report with the International UFO Bureau on September 18, 1973, claiming he had seen an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) in October 1969.

During the presidential campaign of 1976, Democratic challenger Carter was forthcoming about his belief that he had seen a UFO. He described waiting outside for a Lion’s Club Meeting in Leary, Georgia, to begin, at about 7:30 p.m., when he spotted what he called “the darndest thing I’ve ever seen” in the sky. Carter, as well as 10 to 12 other people who witnessed the same event, described the object as “very bright [with] changing colors and about the size of the moon.” Carter reported that “the object hovered about 30 degrees above the horizon and moved in toward the earth and away before disappearing into the distance.” He later told a reporter that, after the experience, he vowed never again to ridicule anyone who claimed to have seen a UFO.

NPR Reports

January 11, 2025

Opinion: When Jimmy Carter and I spoke about UFOs

I have a story I can tell now about an off-the-record conversation I once had with the late Jimmy Carter, about one of the great human controversies: UFOs.

Back in what my daughters now call the "late 1900s" we did a story on a support group at a New York hospital, for people who believed they had been abducted and brought aboard alien spacecraft. I liked the people, even as I questioned their accounts.

NPR host details off-the-record UFO conversation with Jimmy Carter | NewsNation Prime

Journalist recalls Jimmy Carter's 'openness' when talking about UFOs | NewsNation Prime

Jimmy Carter Actually Filed a UFO Report with NASA Before Becoming President

Yesterday's Poll Results

 If you were a delegate in 1787, which approach would you have supported for creating a stronger

national government?

One major disagreement at the Constitutional Convention was how states should be represented in Congress. Which approach would you have supported?

Knowing History Spotlight Moment

September 18, 2026

1634

Anne Hutchinson arrives in America

1793

George Washington lays the Capitol cornerstone

1862

Union General George B. McClellan lets Confederates retreat from Antietam

1959

Serial killer Harvey Glatman is executed

1960

Fidel Castro arrives in New York

1970

Jimi Hendrix found dead

1973

Jimmy Carter files report on UFO sighting

1974

Doris Day wins malpractice lawsuit

1975

Patty Hearst captured by police

1976

One million people attend funeral of Mao Zedong

1981

Canada mall sets parking-lot record

1987

Hundreds are accidentally poisoned in Brazil

1987

“Fatal Attraction” opens in the U.S.

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 Malnutrition Awareness Week

National Today Reports

Malnutrition Awareness Week takes place annually, starting on the second Monday of September. This multi-organizational campaign, led by ASPEN, educates healthcare professionals and the public on the critical importance of nutrition. Join the movement to foster better health outcomes and advocate for improved nutritional care.

Should You Become a Dietitian? | What I Actually Do Every Day | Pros and Cons

Get Connected with Rep. Ford

Rep. Ford's Daily Job Leads

State Police Field Specialist

Job Requisition ID: 58487 

Opening Date: 09/10/2026

Closing Date: 09/25/2026

Agency: Illinois State Police

Class Title: STATE POLICE FIELD SPECIALIST II - 42002 

Skill Option: None 

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,820 monthly;

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

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

Number of Vacancies: 1

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Railroad Safety Specialist IV

Job Requisition ID: 58661

Opening Date: September 9, 2026

Closing Date/Time:  September 24,2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Agency:  Illinois Commerce Commission

Skill Option:  None

Bilingual Option:  None

Salary: Anticipated starting salary $9,130

(Full salary range $9,130 - $13,573 monthly).

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time

Headquarter location: Sangamon County

Work Location: Cook County

Number of Vacancies: 1

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Preparedness Grant Programs Section Manager

Job Requisition ID: 58607 

Opening Date: 09/09/2026

Closing Date: 09/23/2026

Agency: Illinois Emergency Management Agency and

Office of Homeland Security

Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015 

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

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $8,571- $10,000 monthly

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

Number of Vacancies: 1

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Senior Application Developer

Job Requisition ID: 58640 

Opening Date: 09/10/2026

Closing Date: 09/24/2026

Agency: Department of Innovation and Technology

Class Title: INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYST II - 21166 

Skill Option: Application Services - Information Technology 

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated starting salary: $8,060 monthly;

Full range: $8,060-$11,851 monthly

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time 

Number of Vacancies: 3

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