Skip to content
Vote BlueEspañol

U.S. House · IL-07 · Democratic candidate · 2026

La Shawn Ford

Democratic candidate for Illinois's 7th Congressional District

West Side state legislator, former teacher and small-business owner focused on affordable care, family support, education, retirement and equal pay.

PASS IT ON

Share La Shawn Ford.

A graphic you can save and share, with a QR code to their profile.

PNG · 1080 × 1350
Portrait of La Shawn Ford
DistrictIL-07
OfficeCongress
ElectionNov. 3, 2026

Policy priorities

Where La stands.

Campaign position

Protect abortion and affordable health coverage

  • Supports codifying abortion and contraception rights, patient privacy and wider health coverage
  • Wants local care protected from political interference

Campaign position

Expand postpartum care and maternal health support

  • Supports postpartum services and community-based maternal care
  • Backs doula training and accountability for hospital maternal outcomes

Campaign position

Enforce equal pay and guarantee paid leave

  • Supports stronger equal-pay enforcement and paid family and medical leave
  • Backs fair scheduling and workplace accommodations

Campaign position

Lower childcare costs and raise provider pay

  • Supports sustained federal childcare investment and higher childcare worker wages
  • Backs wider access to early childhood education

Campaign position

Expand Pell Grants and reduce student debt

  • Supports larger Pell Grants and workforce training
  • Backs reducing loan burdens and helping caregivers return to education

Campaign position

Protect Social Security and retirement benefits

  • Opposes Social Security cuts and privatization
  • Supports lower drug costs, pension protections and stronger caregiver support

Record and background

Record & experience.

  1. 2022

    Accomplishment

    Removed cost-sharing for prostate cancer screenings

    Sponsored legislation enacted in June 2022 requiring covered prostate cancer screenings without deductibles, copayments or coinsurance.

  2. Elected in 2006

    Experience

    Illinois state representative

    Represents West Side Chicago and nearby suburban communities in the Illinois House.

  • Experience

    Chicago public school teacher

    Taught in Chicago Public Schools before entering state government.

  • Experience

    School basketball coach

    Coached students in Chicago Public Schools.

  • Experience

    Real estate business owner

    Opened a business serving West Side families and small property owners.

Pass it on

Know someone voting in Illinois?