[4] Initially, after high school, Ford attended the Niles College Seminary at Loyola University in Chicago contemplating becoming a priest.

[4] Ford ultimately received a bachelor of arts in elementary education from Loyola, with a minor in political science.

He has also worked to increase opportunities for ex-offenders, foster small business development, improve access to affordable housing, expand protections for our veterans, safeguard our environment and address our state’s fiscal health.

He believes in preserving communities, helping ex-offenders re-enter society and enshrining the sacred right to vote.

He created a commission to confront economic problems that still plague Black communities, as well as the Distressed Counties and Communities Task Force, which finds innovative ways to help people who receive state social services and serves as a national model for a successful anti-poverty agenda.

[10] In 2020, Ford voiced support for the abolition of history classes in Illinois schools, claiming that "current history teaching practices overlook the contributions by Women and members of the Black, Jewish, LGBTQ communities and other groups" and "until a suitable alternative is developed, we should instead devote greater attention toward civics and ensuring students understand our democratic processes and how they can be involved".

He consistently advocates for increased access to financial resources and institutions for marginalized communities and promotes the value of education among students in his district.

[13] Candidate Willie Wilson challenged signatures on Ford's candidature petition, but the Chicago Board of Elections allowed Ford to remain on the ballot, finding that, "candidate Willie Wilson's objection to his petitions was not made in good faith.

[4] On November 29, 2012, Ford was indicted on charges of bank fraud, alleging he provided misleading evidence to obtain a $500,000 extension on a line of credit.