Affordability and the Cost of Living

Families in Illinois’ 9th District are being squeezed from every direction. Wages are not keeping up with rising costs, corporations are raising prices because they can, and too many people feel like they are running faster just to stay in place. I know that pressure. I have lived it while raising two boys, juggling work schedules, and stretching every dollar to make the basics work.

Affordability is not one issue. It shows up in the grocery aisle, the insurance premium, the rent check, and the time families never get back. My focus is simple: lower costs, make work pay, and restore the stability people need to build a good life.

Lower Grocery Costs by Stopping Corporate Price Hikes

Corporate price gouging has made everyday essentials more expensive even after supply chains stabilized. Food and consumer goods companies raised prices during the pandemic and kept them high long after their costs came down.

And now, some chains are experimenting with dynamic pricing, where the cost of groceries shifts throughout the day based on demand. That is a backdoor way of charging working families more for basic food at the hours they shop most.

I will fight for:

- A national price-gouging law that prevents corporations from exploiting crises
- A ban on dynamic pricing in grocery stores so food prices are stable and predictable
- Breaking up anti-competitive behavior in food processing and shipping
- Stronger investigations and penalties for unjustified price spikes
- Expanded SNAP and school meal support so families do not go hungry while profits climb

Make Healthcare, Insurance, and Prescription Drugs Affordable

Healthcare is one of the biggest drivers of the affordability crisis. Premiums are rising faster than wages, and families are being asked to absorb costs that should never have landed on their shoulders. And with federal subsidies expiring, millions of Americans will face even higher monthly payments. When healthier people drop coverage because they cannot afford it, premiums rise for everyone else. When hospitals lose reimbursement for emergency care, more will close, and that hurts insured and uninsured residents alike.

There is a better way.

Fix the Premium Crisis

I will fight to:

- Restore and expand Affordable Care Act subsidies
- Cap out-of-pocket costs for drugs, insulin, and emergency treatment
- Expand community health centers to keep care close and affordable
- Crack down on junk insurance plans that do not comply with ACA standards and leave families with big bills when they get sick

Premiums should reflect the cost of care, not hidden fees, opaque pricing, or corporate profit strategies.

Get Tough On Hidden Prices and Corporate Opacity

Hospitals, insurers, and large healthcare systems often charge wildly different amounts for the same basic procedure. Families rarely know the price until the bill arrives. That is not a real market and not a fair system.

I will push for:

- Full price transparency at hospitals and clinics so families know the cost before care is delivered
- A ban on hidden facility fees and predatory add-on charges
- Standardized pricing for common procedures so costs do not swing hundreds or thousands of dollars based on zip code
- Stronger enforcement of federal price transparency rules with real penalties for noncompliance
- Public reporting of insurance reimbursements so families can compare plans without fine-print traps

No family should go into debt or lose coverage because a massive corporation hid the price.

Build More Affordable Housing and Protect Renters

The 9th District has some of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the country, but rising rents are forcing out the very people who keep these communities strong. Housing stability should not depend on luck or income level.

I support:

- A major federal investment in affordable and workforce housing
- Incentives to renovate existing buildings instead of displacing families
- Stronger tenant protections and support for right-to-counsel programs
- Transit-oriented development that cuts commuting costs and improves access to jobs

A Four-Day Work Week to Restore Time and Balance

Affordability is also about time. A four-day work week gives families the breathing room they need, reduces commuting costs, lowers burnout, and increases productivity. A 32-hour week with full-time pay is not a dream. It is a proven strategy that has succeeded around the world.

Lower Childcare Costs and Support Family Stability

Childcare in Chicago is often as expensive as college tuition. Families deserve support that matches the reality of modern life.

I will advocate for:

- Universal childcare funding
- Larger and easier-to-use tax credits for parents
- Better wages for childcare workers to stabilize the workforce
- Investments in early childhood programs that improve long-term outcomes and reduce overall costs

Bring Down Everyday Costs: Energy, Transit and Essentials

I will fight to:

- Expand home energy rebates so people can cut their monthly utility bills
- Improve CTA and Metra reliability so families are not forced into expensive car ownership
- Fund free CTA and Metra passes for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, removing a major barrier to getting to school safely and on time
- Cap predatory credit card and overdraft fees
- Rein in monopoly utilities that raise rates without improving service

My Commitment

Affordability is about dignity and economic stability. People should not have to choose between groceries, rent, and healthcare. I am running for Congress because too many families in our district are being priced out of the life they built. I will fight every day to make this district more affordable, more secure, and more fair for the working people who make it what it is.

Justin Ford For Congress

Affordability and the Cost of Living