 |  | I’ve spent this week on the road, attending two policy summits. I was invited to participate in these small group events designed to help legislators expand their leadership on emerging policy issues. I was part of a group of 12 legislators from around the country invited by the National Conference of State Legislators to visit Pierce County in Washington State to see first-hand how they are rethinking juvenile probation with an emphasis on engaging small community-based organizations as providers rather than larger institutions. In addition to meeting with and hearing from the leadership in Pierce County and a wide array of stakeholders and advocates to learn more about the process they went through in adopting changes, we were able to visit Tacoma Boat Builders, a smaller group focused on building meaningful connections between mentors and participants through woodworking, creativity, shipbuilding, and time on the water. We spent a fair bit of time discussing the ways our funding models have to evolve to make it possible for smaller organizations like Tacoma Boat Builders to be able to compete with large social service agencies for grant funding.
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From Tacoma, I made my way to a convening organized by the State Innovation Exchange (SiX) with tracks on economic justice, paid family leave, corporate accountability, and gender justice. I was invited to participate in 3 days of talks and exercises focused on what our strategies around gender justice should be for success in the short and long term. In fact, I’m writing this update during a break in the conference! Joining me in the gender justice working group is Senator Celina Villanueva. Illinois was very well represented in all of the tracks, with Sen. Ram Villivalam, Reps. Lillian Jimenez and Norma Hernandez, and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss participating in other tracks. | |
Torrence is also out for a much deserved break, celebrating his honeymoon so Wade and Carlos have been doing the work of 4 people this week. Thanks to both of them for holding down the fort and ensuring that our constituents get the services they need. | |
Resuming Regular Office Hours | |
Our office will resume its normal hours following the Labor Day holiday as we will no longer be working remotely Mondays and Fridays. We will be in the office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. | |
Our office is sponsoring a Shred-A-Thon with Commissioner Spyropoulos and Alderwoman Hadden's office on Saturday, September 23rd from 10 am to 2pm at 6934 N. Clark St. There is a limit of two bankers boxes of sensitive documents per person and all documents should have paper and binder clips removed. Staples are able to be shredded. We hope to see you there! | |
Artists of the Wall Mural | |
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Rogers Park resident Gina Curaso's mural on the Artists of the Wall was featured in a Chicago Sun-Times article on August 31. Her mural showcases Post-It notes with a unique painting of her husband, Keith Lord, through the years. The mural celebrates Keith's commitment to the annual Artists of the Wall festival, having served as a volunteer since 1993. It also is a nod to the Post-It love notes that Gina leaves for her husband to find each morning, a vow that she committed to when they got married in 2015.
To read the full Sun-Times article, click here.
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Fundraising for Fred Elouga | |
We are providing a link to the gofundme page of Fred Elouga who tragically passed away at Jarivs Beach recently. Donations will go towards helping Fred's family with funeral costs and other expenses. Here is the link to the page and thank you for your consideration. | |
2023 Edgewater Historical Society Home Tour Preview | |
On Sunday, September 24th, the Edgewater Historical Society will be showcasing the Magnolia Glen neighborhood on a guided home tour! Tickets are $25 per person and includes tours of several historic homes plus a souvenir booklet containing a map of the neighborhood with included descriptions of the homes highlighted on the tour. Reservations are not required! Simply register at 1268 W Early Ave on September 24th between noon 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. The homes will be open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Please visit the "Contact Us" page on the Edgewater Historical Society website to request more information. | |
West Ridge Chamber of Commerce Call for Artists!! | |
West Ridge Chamber of Commerce Call for Artists!! | The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce and the Warren Park Advisory Council are hosting a holiday bazaar in the West Ridge community on November 12, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fee to participate is $60 and the application deadline is September 12th. Please direct all inquiries to info@westridgechamber.org and apply using this link. | |
Secretary of State Skip the Line Program | |
Starting today, the Illinois Secretary of State has launched the new Skip-the-Line Program for Illinois DMVs. 44 of the busiest locations now require appointments to eliminate wait times and provide better customer service. Customers are required to make appointments for in-person visits for REAL IDs, driver’s licenses and ID card services, and in-car driving tests. All DMVs now have expanded hours on Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. 15 DMVs will also be open on Sat, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Visit ilsos.gov to learn more about this program and to schedule your appointment. | |
Tapestry 360 Health: Health Fair | |
Tapestry 360 Health is hosting a health fair on September 16 from 12 p.m. through 3 p.m at 1300 W Devon Ave. This free event offers a farmers market, giveaways, flu shots, and so much more! RSVP by scanning the qr code in the image above with your cellphone. | |
After School Matters Fall Applications Open | |
Get involved in a FREE fall program to tap into your creativity, learn new skills, explore your passions, and earn money at the same time with After School Matters. Programs run from September 25th until December 9th and are open to all Chicago teen students ages 14-18. Use the following link to sign up! Click Link | |
CTA Bus Operator & Bus Mechanic Job Fair | |
The CTA is hosting a bus operator and bus mechanic job fair on Friday, September 15 at their headquarters downtown (567 W Lake St.) from 1 pm to 4 pm. Applicants can apply at the fair and do not need a commercial driver's license to be application-eligible. Register by scanning the QR code above with your phone or use the following LINK. | |
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Save the date for the 50th Ward Job Fair at the Northtown Library! Join us on Thursday, September 14 from 10 AM - 1 PM at the library, 6800 N. Western. Meet employers from a broad range of fields and find your next career!
Job seekers can register at bit.ly/50thward or by following the QR code.
Local employers are also welcome to participate. If you are looking for help, please visit bit.ly/50thwardjobs and fill out the interest form. One of the 50th Ward's workforce partners will follow up with you.
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CTA Building Small Businesses Program | |
The Chicago transit Authority is hosting a building small businesses program virtually on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The program will educate small businesses on financial management, sourcing capital, and other accelerating tools. Register by scanning the QR code above. For more information please contact Ellen Marshall at ellen@zanninc.com or call 720-390-9057. | |
CTA's Second Chance Program | |
The CTA's Second Chance is hiring! If interested, complete a survey of interest at https://transitchicago.questionpro.com/CTASecondChanceProgram. All job seekers who complete a Second Chance Program interest survey and meet eligibility requirements will then be invited to attend a direct recruitment event. | |
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Sincerely,
Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District
Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy
1507 W. Morse Ave
Chicago IL 60626
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773 - 784 - 2002 (phone)
repcassidy@gmail.com
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