ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER EMANUEL “CHRIS” WELCH ENDORSES STATE REPRESENTATIVE LA SHAWN K. FORD FOR CONGRESS

CHICAGO, IL — Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Congressman Danny K. Davis joined together today on Chicago’s West Side to announce the Speaker’s endorsement of State Representative La Shawn K. Ford for Congress in Illinois’ 7th Congressional District.

The event, held outside a veterans' memorial, underscored the growing impact of the federal government shutdown on veterans, seniors, and working families across the district. Leaders highlighted Ford’s long record of service and his commitment to protecting essential benefits such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

“Today I’m proud to endorse La Shawn K. Ford for Congress,” said Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “I’ve sat next to La Shawn for more than a decade in Springfield and witnessed firsthand his tireless work for the poor, the sick, women, children, and those fighting to overcome addiction. La Shawn knows his ‘why.’ He gets up every day to do the work that matters — fighting for people in need, for those striving to get ahead, and for veterans and seniors who deserve our respect and support. That’s exactly why we need him in Congress.”Welch added, “My motto is simple — winners do the work. And no one does the work like La Shawn Ford.”

Congressman Danny K. Davis praised both Welch and Ford as steadfast leaders for the 7th District. “Speaker Welch is one of the key legislative leaders in the greatest state in the United States of America — Illinois,” said Davis. “And I am pleased to stand with him to support La Shawn K. Ford, who has demonstrated the kind of leadership, compassion, and dedication our district deserves.”

Accepting the endorsement, State Representative La Shawn K. Ford expressed gratitude and reaffirmed his commitment to the people of the district. “Speaker Welch and Congressman Davis are leaders with steady hands who understand how to guide us through troubled waters,” Ford said. “I am deeply honored by their trust and support. Congressman Davis has spent his career fighting for fairness, health care access, and justice — and I intend to carry that torch forward in Congress.”

Ford emphasized that the shutdown is already threatening critical services. “More than four million people across Illinois — seniors, disabled workers, and veterans — rely on Social Security. They can’t afford Washington’s dysfunction, and neither can the families and federal employees who live right here in the 7th District,” Ford said. “As your next Congressman, I’ll fight to protect Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and veterans’ care — and make sure government works for the people, not against them.”

The event marked a powerful passing of the torch between generations of leadership in Illinois’ 7th District and a shared call to protect the most vulnerable residents from the fallout of partisan gridlock in Washington.

ABOUT LA SHAWN K. FORD:

State Representative La Shawn K. Ford represents Chicago’s West Side and several western suburbs in the Illinois General Assembly. A lifelong advocate for working families, Ford has championed policies expanding access to education, health care, criminal justice reform, and economic opportunity. He is now running for Congress to continue that fight for fairness and opportunity for all.