COURTESY OF THE LEADER’S NETWORK
Community leaders for the Westside of Chicago offered continued support and congratulations to Illinois State Representative La Shawn Ford in the stunning reversal of the Federal US Attorney’s Offices charges against him.
Today federal prosecutors dropped 17 of the most serious charges against Ford, insuring that the representative will continue his term of service for the people of the 8th District.
“This is great news for a community with so many challenges and too few leaders,” said Rev. Marshall Hatch of the Leader’s Network and Pastor of New Mount Pilgrim Church. “We join LaShawn’s attorneys in applauding the willingness of federal government prosecutors to reexamine their case and offer a just outcome.” “What a great example of grace under pressure,” Hatch continued.
“Ford is to be commended for the way he conducted himself during this ordeal”, stated Rev. Ira Acree, also of the Leader’s Network and Pastor Of Greater St. John Church. I hope the courage and hard work of LaShawn will inspire other public officials in our community. Too few of them sit silent while our community faces the assault of closed schools and the violent outcomes of community disinvestment”, Acree offered.
“This is as close to vindication as one can get…it’s great news”, says the Rev. Cy Fields of the Leader’s Network and Pastor of New Landmark Church.
The Leader’s Network is planning to honor Rep. Ford for his diligent work and his example of public service at a later date.
