La Shawn K. Ford
2007 - Present
2027
18
La Shawn Ford (Democratic Party) is a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing District 8. He assumed office in 2007. His current term ends on January 13, 2027.
Ford (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Illinois House of Representatives to represent District 8. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Biography
La Shawn K. Ford graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a bachelor's of science and then taught in the Chicago public school system. His career experience includes being a real estate broker and insurance agent as well as the co-founder of West Side Heroin Task Force. Ford was the 2018 recipient of the Nelson Mandela Award for Justice Honoree. He was first elected in 2007 to represent the 8th District.[1]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at:editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Ford was assigned to the following committees:
- Appropriations-Higher Education Committee, Chairperson
- House Financial Institutions Committee
- Labor & Commerce Committee
- Public Utilities Committee
- Restorative Justice Committee, Vice Chairperson
2021-2022
Ford was assigned to the following committees:
- House Financial Institutions Committee
- Labor & Commerce Committee
- Public Utilities Committee
- Appropriations-Higher Education Committee, Chair
- Restorative Justice Committee, Vice-Chair
2019-2020
Ford was assigned to the following committees:
- Appropriations-Higher Education Committee, Chair
- Personnel & Pensions Committee
- Public Utilities Committee
- House Financial Institutions Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
Illinois committee assignments, 2017 |
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• Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education |
• Appropriations-Human Services |
• Financial Institutions, Chair |
• Higher Education |
• Insurance: Property & Casualty |
• Restorative Justice, Chair |
• Tourism, Hospitality, and Craft Industries, Vice chair |
• Veterans' Affairs |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Ford served on the following committees:
Illinois committee assignments, 2015 |
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• Appropriations-General Service |
• Appropriations-Human Services |
• Economic Development & Housing |
• Health Care Availability Access, Vice chair |
• International Trade & Commerce |
• Restorative Justice, Chair |
• Small Business Empowerment & Workforce Development, Chair |
• Tourism & Conventions |
• Veterans' Affairs |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Ford served on the following committees:
Illinois committee assignments, 2013 |
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• Appropriations-Human Services |
• Health Care Availability Access, Vice chair |
• Health Care Licenses |
• Restorative Justice, Chair |
• Small Business Empowerment & Workforce Development, Chair |
• Tollway Oversight, Vice chair |
• Veterans' Affairs |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Ford served on the following committees:
Illinois committee assignments, 2011 |
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• Health & Healthcare Disparities |
• Housing |
• Insurance |
• Small Business Empowerment & Workforce Development, Chair |
• Tollway Oversight, VIce-chair |
• Tourism & Conventions |
• Veterans' Affairs |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Ford served on the following committees:
Illinois committee assignments, 2009 |
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• Access to Federal Funding |
• Insurance |
• Juvenile Justice Reform |
• Revenue & Finance |
• Youth and Family, Vice chair |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Illinois House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 8
Incumbent La Shawn Ford defeated Leslie Collazo in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 8 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | La Shawn Ford (D) | 75.2 | 29,352 | |
Leslie Collazo (R) | 24.8 | 9,682 |
Total votes: 39,034 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 8
Incumbent La Shawn Ford advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 8 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | La Shawn Ford | 100.0 | 9,769 |
Total votes: 9,769 | ||||
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Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Ford in this election.
2022
See also: Illinois House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 8
Incumbent La Shawn Ford defeated Thomas Hurley in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 8 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | La Shawn Ford (D) | 75.5 | 22,187 | |
Thomas Hurley (R) | 24.5 | 7,195 |
Total votes: 29,382 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 8
Incumbent La Shawn Ford advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 8 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | La Shawn Ford | 100.0 | 9,963 |
Total votes: 9,963 | ||||
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2020
See also: Illinois House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 8
Incumbent La Shawn Ford won election in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 8 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | La Shawn Ford (D) | 100.0 | 36,932 |
Total votes: 36,932 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 8
Incumbent La Shawn Ford advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 8 on March 17, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | La Shawn Ford | 100.0 | 18,036 |
Total votes: 18,036 | ||||
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2019
See also: Mayoral election in Chicago, Illinois (2019)
General runoff election
General runoff election for Mayor of Chicago
Lori Lightfoot defeated Toni Preckwinkle in the general runoff election for Mayor of Chicago on April 2, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Lori Lightfoot (Nonpartisan) | 73.7 | 386,039 | |
Toni Preckwinkle (Nonpartisan) | 26.3 | 137,765 |
Total votes: 523,804 | ||||
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General election
General election for Mayor of Chicago
The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of Chicago on February 26, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Lori Lightfoot (Nonpartisan) | 17.5 | 97,667 | |
✔ | Toni Preckwinkle (Nonpartisan) | 16.0 | 89,343 | |
Bill Daley (Nonpartisan) | 14.8 | 82,294 | ||
Willie Wilson (Nonpartisan) | 10.6 | 59,072 | ||
Susana Mendoza (Nonpartisan) | 9.0 | 50,373 | ||
Amara Enyia (Nonpartisan) | 8.0 | 44,589 | ||
Jerry Joyce (Nonpartisan) | 7.2 | 40,099 | ||
Gery Chico (Nonpartisan) | 6.2 | 34,521 | ||
Paul Vallas (Nonpartisan) | 5.4 | 30,236 | ||
Garry McCarthy (Nonpartisan) | 2.7 | 14,784 | ||
La Shawn Ford (Nonpartisan) | 1.0 | 5,606 | ||
Bob Fioretti (Nonpartisan) | 0.8 | 4,302 | ||
John Kozlar (Nonpartisan) | 0.4 | 2,349 | ||
Neal Sáles-Griffin (Nonpartisan) | 0.3 | 1,523 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 86 |
Total votes: 556,844 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Catherine Brown D'Tycoon (Nonpartisan)
- Dorothy Brown (Nonpartisan)
- Ja'Mal Green (Nonpartisan)
- Conrien Hykes Clark (Nonpartisan)
- Sandra Mallory (Nonpartisan)
- Richard Mayers (Nonpartisan)
- Roger Washington (Nonpartisan)
2018
See also: Illinois House of Representatives elections, 2018
General election
General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 8
Incumbent La Shawn Ford won election in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 8 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | La Shawn Ford (D) | 100.0 | 31,923 |
Total votes: 31,923 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 8
Incumbent La Shawn Ford advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 8 on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | La Shawn Ford | 100.0 | 15,419 |
Total votes: 15,419 | ||||
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2016
Elections for the Illinois House of Representatives were held in 2016. The primary election was held on March 15, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was November 30, 2015.[2]
Incumbent La Shawn K. Ford ran unopposed in the Illinois House of Representatives District 8 general election.[3][4]
Illinois House of Representatives, District 8 General Election, 2016 | ||
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Party | Candidate | |
Democratic | ||
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections |
Incumbent La Shawn K. Ford ran unopposed in the Illinois House of Representatives District 8 Democratic primary.[5][6]
Illinois House of Representatives, District 8 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | |
Democratic |
2014
Elections for the Illinois House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on March 18, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 2, 2013. Incumbent La Shawn K. Ford ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[7][8][9]
2012
Ford won election in the 2012 election for Illinois House of Representatives District 8. Ford was unopposed in the March 20 Democratic primary and was unopposed in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[10][11][12]
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 100% | 37,824 | ||
Total Votes | 37,824 |
2010
Ford won re-election to the 8th District Seat in 2010 with no opposition. He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on February 2nd. The general election took place on November 2, 2010.[13]
Illinois House of Representatives, District 8 (2010) | ||||
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Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
23,179 | 100.0% |
2008
On November 4, 2008, Democrat La Shawn Ford won re-election to the Illinois House of Representatives District 8. He ran unopposed receiving 34,666 votes.[14]
Illinois House of Representatives, District 8 (2008) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Candidates | Votes | |||
34,666 |
2006
On November 7, 2006, Democrat La Shawn Ford won election to the Illinois House of Representatives District 8 receiving 21,057 votes ahead of Republican Glenn Harris (2,975 votes), and Nathan Paul Helsabeck (G) who received 1,157 votes.[15]
Illinois House of Representatives, District 8 (2006) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Candidates | Votes | |||
21,057 | ||||
Glenn Harris (R) | 2,975 | |||
Nathan Paul Helsabeck (G) | 1,157 |
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
La Shawn Ford did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
La Shawn Ford did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
La Shawn Ford did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Chicago 2019 Candidate Survey
La Shawn Ford did not complete Ballotpedia's Chicago candidates survey for 2019.
Campaign website
The following themes were found on Ford's 2019 campaign website.
“ |
EQUITY IN EDUCATION
INCLUSIVE ECONOMY
SAFER COMMUNITIES
HEALTH & QUALITY OF LIFE
TRANSPARENCY, EQUITY & ACCOUNTABILITY
|
” |
—La Shawn Ford's 2019 campaign website[17] |
2014
Ford's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[18]
- Improving education
- Excerpt: "Education is the key to future success and a strong economy. We must work to expand educational opportunities for all students in Illinois and throughout the nation. The future of our country depends on the education we provide to our children today, and we must invest in them."
- Improving health
- Excerpt: "The health and wellness of the American people reflects the health of our nation, physically but also financially. Health care costs are increasing at a rate that is making it hard for families and businesses to keep up. And it’s getting in the way of our ability to compete as a nation in an increasingly global economy. Prescription drug costs and insurance premiums are squeezing families and leaving more Americans without adequate health coverage. I am committed to improving the health of our country now and in the years to come."
- Preventing foreclosures
- Improving community life
- Excerpt: "Strong neighborhoods foster strong families, strong businesses, and strong individuals."
- Veterans support
- Building cross-cultural bridges
- Citizenship
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Illinois scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 16 to May 29.
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2023
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 11 to May 27.
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2022
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 5 to April 9.
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2021
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 13 to June 1.
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2020
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 8 to May 23.
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2019
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 9 through December 31.
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2018
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 8 through May 31.
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2017
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 31. There were also special sessions. The 1st special session was June 21-July 6. The 2nd special session was July 26-July 31. During the 3rd special session, the Senate met on August 13, and the House met on August 16. The 4th special session was on August 28-29. There was a veto session from October 24-November 9.
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2016
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 13 through May 31.
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2015
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 14 through December 7 (extended session).
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2014
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 29 through June 2.
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2013
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 9 through May 31.
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2012
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 31.
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Noteworthy events
Bank fraud charges
On Thursday, November 29, 2012, Ford was indicted by a federal grand jury on seventeen counts, comprised of eight counts of bank fraud and nine counts of providing the bank with false information. Ford allegedly claimed to banks that he was taking loans out for his company, Ford Desired Real Estate, Inc., and for his own real estate investments, but then used the money for other purposes, including credit card payments and campaign-related expenses. Ford also allegedly submitted false tax returns for inspection by a bank that inflated his income, allowing him to qualify for a credit-line extension and about $500,000 more in loans. If Ford was convicted, each count had a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. A trial date was set for April 22, 2014.[21][22][23]
On August 4, 2014, Ford pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor tax count in exchange for prosecutors dropping the 17 felony charges against him. The dropped felony charges meant Ford was not forced to resign his seat.[24] On November 7, he was sentenced to six months' probation and 100 hours of community service.[25]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Ford has one child. He is a member of the Austin Young Men's Christian Association Board, Austin Chamber of Commerce Board, Chicago Association of Realtors, Circle Family Care, National Association of Realtors, Finance Committee/Parish Council of Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Church, and Founding Organizer of the Zawadi Youth Group.[26]
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Officeholder Illinois House of Representatives District 8 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ "Illinois General Assembly", "Representative La Shawn K. Ford," accessed March 3, 2020
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election and Campaign Finance Calendar," accessed November 30, 2015
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate list: General Election - 11/8/2016," accessed August 8, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election results, General election 2016," accessed December 15, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed January 3, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election Results: GENERAL PRIMARY - 3/15/2016," accessed August 8, 2016
- ↑ Illinois Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed March 18, 2014
- ↑ Illinois Board of Elections, "General Primary Election Official Canvass," April 18, 2014
- ↑ Illinois Secretary of State, "Official general election candidate list," accessed March 18, 2014
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed December 5, 2011
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Official 2012 Primary Results," accessed May 14, 2014
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, “Official Vote - November 6, 2012 General Election,” accessed January 18, 2013
- ↑ Illinois Elections Division, "Illinois Official 2010 General Election Results," November 2, 2010
- ↑ Illinois House of Representatives official election results for 2008
- ↑ Illinois House of Representatives official election results for 2006
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ La Shawn Ford's 2019 campaign website, "Issues," accessed February 18, 2019
- ↑ Personal website, "Issues and Legislation," accessed February 21, 2014
- ↑ Citizen Action Illinois, "99th General Assembly Legislative Scorecard 2016," accessed July 11, 2017
- ↑ Illinois Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities, "2016 Illinois Community Living Report," accessed July 11, 2017
- ↑ Capital Fax, "This just in… Rep. Ford indicted for bank fraud," November 29, 2012
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Rep. LaShawn Ford indicted on bank fraud charges," November 29, 2012
- ↑ oakpark.com, "Trial date set for Ford's federal bank fraud case," accessed February 21, 2014
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Surprising plea deal in state Rep. Ford's bank fraud case," August 4, 2014
- ↑ ABC 7 Chicago, "LaShawn Ford sentenced to probation," November 7, 2014
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Rep. Ford," accessed February 21, 2014
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by - |
Illinois House of Representatives District 8 2007-Present |
Succeeded by - |