Meet Justin Ford

Father. Public health professional. Union Organizer. Neighbor.

My first job in Chicago was at Misericordia. I’d just moved here during a recession. No job lined up. Bills coming due. I took work as a habilitative aid—bathing, dressing, feeding, and caring for adults with profound developmental disabilities.

That job changed me. It taught me that real work isn’t about prestige—it’s about dignity. And it opened my eyes to how much this country relies on people who rarely get recognized, let alone rewarded.

I’m running for the U.S. Congress because I’ve seen how hard people are working—and how little they’re getting back. I’ve worked in care, in education, in public health and environmental safety. I’ve lived paycheck to paycheck, raised kids, taken public transit to jobs far outside the city—and I’ve felt what so many feel right now: that our economy isn’t built for working people anymore.

I’m Justin Ford. I live in Andersonville. I’m a dad, a public health professional, a union organizer, and I’m running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Congress in Illinois’s 9th District open-seat because I believe it’s time to get serious about fixing what’s broken—and building something better.

My signature issue is the 4-day workweek. Because this one bold policy touches everything else: wages, health, family time, burnout, productivity, and fairness. For decades, American workers have made this country rich—but haven’t shared in the prosperity. Productivity went up. Profits went up. But wages? Stagnant. Time off? Scarce. Stress? Through the roof.

In addition, I will strongly support our labor unions, the building trades, and be a champion for Davis-Bacon, the prevailing wage law.

It’s time to flip that script. I’m not talking about pilot programs. I’m calling to update the Fair Labor Standards Act—to define a full-time workweek as 32 hours. Same pay. Same benefits. Same protections. That’s a 20% raise in the one thing worth more than money: your time.

A four-day workweek boosts morale, increases productivity, and helps retain workers. Not every job will fit the model right away—but more can than people think. And if we do this at scale, we’ll make it easier for businesses to adapt and for workers to thrive.

But I’m not running on just one issue. Here’s what I will fight for:

I’m fighting for affordable housing—because nearly half of renters in our district are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income just to keep a roof over their heads. I support tenant protections, and converting vacant office buildings into livable, sustainable homes.

I’m fighting for real transit equity—because too many working people spend hours on unreliable trains or buses, just to make ends meet. We need faster trains and more frequent service. A system that works—especially for the people who depend on it most.

I’m fighting to protect and expand Social Security for our Senior Citizens, to finally deliver universal healthcare for all, and to restore women’s reproductive rights that extremists are trying to strip away. I’ll strongly support a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions privately with her doctor. And I’ll fight for pay equity.

I’m fighting for common sense gun legislation, because it is the right thing to do. No child should be able to get a hold of a parent’s gun and use it for violence. Never.

I’m fighting to end systemic inequities in our society.

I’m fighting to fund public education. Our children and grandchildren need to be prepared with an excellent education, so they can find a great family-wage paying job and live the American Dream.

And I’m fighting for our democracy—because right now, it’s under threat.

In America, no one person is above the law.

But, right now the MAGA / Trump team are literally tearing apart the fabric of our democracy, destroying our democratic institutions and believe they are above the law and can do anything they want. Trump is dismantling the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, the Department of Education, the National Institute of Health, and politicizing the Department of Defense, to name a few. Trump’s tariff policies are tanking our retirement accounts. America’s founding fathers and over 200 years of building our democratic institutions are being torn apart in just over 100 days. Enough!

My campaign is being powered by people who’ve been left out, priced out, and counted out for way too long. I’m not here to climb a ladder—I’m here to hold the door open.

This is a people-powered campaign with deep roots in this district. I’m a proud UIC graduate. I’ve walked picket lines, fought for workers’ rights, and helped win union contracts. I’ve worked in the private sector, held big companies accountable on environmental safety, and helped build healthier communities—because I believe public health doesn’t stop at the doctor’s office. It includes clean air, safe jobs, affordable housing, and time to live a full life.

Illinois’ 9th District stretches from the lakefront to the northwest suburbs. From Uptown to Crystal Lake, from Skokie to Evanston to Des Plaines, we are a district rich in diversity, talent, and progressive energy. But, we need leadership that actually reflects our values—and fights for a better future for all.

They say politics is broken. I say it’s doing exactly what it was designed to do—for the few. I’m running to redesign it—for the many.

So, if you’ve ever felt ignored, stretched thin, or stuck working harder for less—this campaign is for you.

Let’s build a future where work pays, rest is respected, care is valued, and democracy belongs to all of us.

I ask for your support and vote in the Democratic primary. Please visit my website at www.votejustinford.com to learn more about me and my campaign.

Let’s get to work.

Thank you and God Bless these United States of America.