By: Ashmar Mandou

After nearly two decades representing the Illinois General Assembly, State Representative LaShawn K. Ford is ready for the next chapter, representing Illinois’s 7th Congressional District in Washington, D.C. “I have worked for several years representing the diverse needs of my constituents, from affordable housing, to healthcare, to immigration rights,” said State Representative LaShawn Ford. “We are currently seeing families struggle, benefits being cut, lack of affordability, and the time to fight on behalf of families on a federal level is now.” Ford shared his views with Lawndale Bilingual News on keys issues at the forefront of his campaign.

Key Issues
There are several pressing issues facing families in the 7th Congressional District. People are losing health insurance or seeing their coverage reduced when they need it most. We are seeing hospitals shutter, we are seeing a lack of resources for mental health services, families and small businesses are facing financial hardship. As State Representative for nearly 20 years, I have worked tirelessly on behalf of families. I have worked to expand access to health care, I have brought health services to the community, protected seniors, and supported working families. If elected, I will defend and expand the Affordable Care Act, I will bring trade schools back to the 7th District, and I will fight for seniors to ensure they are able to pay for the medicine and their groceries.

Immigration Reform
The immigration system if broken. We need to approach immigration reform with fairness and with humanity. We need to remind ourselves that immigrant families bolster our workforce, are the drivers of local economies, and represent American values. Families should not live in fear of being separated. Reform should include a path to citizenship for longtime residents, Dreamers, and essential workers, expanded legal work visas, faster and fairer asylum processing, and smart border management that focuses on real threats, not hardworking families.

Taxes
We must reduce the tax burden on working families and small businesses, not big corporations. Small businesses form the backbone of our communities. They create local jobs, sponsor youth programs, keep neighborhoods lively, and reinvest where they operate. But too often, they are taxed and regulated like large corporations, while multinational companies exploit loopholes and special breaks to dodge paying their fair share.  In Congress, my main focus will be lowering taxes for everyday Americans and protecting small businesses from excessive taxes.

“Our campaign is built to get results,” said Ford. “I am the only candidate on the list for 7th District that actually has the experience and track record. I have built relationships for the years and I know what it takes to get results.” The 7th District covers neighborhoods from Austin, Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, North Lawndale, and parts of Pak Park and Forest Park. For more information on Ford’s campaign, visit www.fordforcongress.com.