The anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision is this weekend. It’s a stark reminder of how much the world has changed in the last 6 months since the Dobbs decision reversed decades of standing law to overturn Roe. Last night, I was reminded that while we are facing unprecedented challenges, we still have much to celebrate when I had the honor of speaking at the Family Planning Associates' Inaugural Commemoration of the Roe Legacy along with other great fighters in the space for reproductive rights like Rep. Anna Moeller, Speaker Welch, and Lt. Governor Stratton. I highlighted our recent victories at the state level to ensure protections and expand our abilities as a state to meet the demand for those needing reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare. I also had the pleasure of being present at the press conference in Chicago’s City Hall which spotlighted the protections of Chicago’s bodily autonomy ordinance which has recently been updated to include prohibiting an employer from enforcing a signature waiver or accessing information that would interfere with an individual's right to reproductive or gender-affirming care. This ordinance will also prohibit discrimination and retaliation in the context of housing for anyone seeking reproductive or gender-affirming healthcare. For more about Chicago’s Bodily Autonomy 2.0 ordinance please click here.

From left to right: Lt. Governor Stratton, Speaker Welch, Me, Rep. Anna Moeller

The power of gathering together to recognize the good we can do here in Illinois was a stark reminder of that 24th day in June when many of us awoke to the news of the Roe v Wade reversal. We gathered that day as well and set our intentions to respond to this attack on bodily autonomy with every tool we could find or build. As I highlighted in last week’s newsletter, I chaired a working group with many amazing advocates and fellow legislators who worked tirelessly to see how we can further cement Illinois as a safe haven for those that are arriving from other states as well as those in Illinois who also lack access due to where they live. However, the reversal of Roe should be a reminder that the work of securing justice and equality for all is not finished, and may never be. People who wanted Roe to fall worked decades to see it reversed and are not stopping. I like to say there is an equal and opposite Kelly Cassidy in other states and at the federal level who wants to ensure we face obstacles protecting those seeking reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare as well as other human rights we all should be afforded. Our work is far from over. Just two days after the signing of the Patient and Provider Protection Act (PAPPA) a firebombing occurred at a Planned Parenthood in Peoria. Luckily no one was inside. To learn more click here. I was notified by the CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois when it occurred and I was feeling a disconcerting combination of anger and grief-stricken. This was clearly a message. However, make no mistake we are not backing down. We will not go back! Our working group will reconvene in the coming weeks as we clearly have more work to do. Each new battle will come with its own challenges and uncertainties but I am confident that we as a state will continue to rise to the occasion. This may not be the 50th anniversary we fought for but it’s in our power to bring back the days when our children did not have fewer rights than we did when we were their age.

Please use this weekend to support efforts in this reproductive fight. Below is an event to attend near our district where you can connect with people doing the work and provide support for the efforts that lay ahead:

The Chicago Abortion Fund is hosting an event on Sunday, January 22nd from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Firehouse Grill located at 750 Chicago Avenue in Evanston. To register please click here.

New Office Location

With the start of the new 103rd General Assembly this month, our team is also making a fresh start with a new office! While the space we’ve shared with the 48th ward, 9th Congressional District, 10th County Board District, and 7th Senate district has been our home since long before I took office, our new space on Morse Avenue will allow us to work more efficiently and safely while conserving resources.

We’re excited to announce that our new space at 1507 W. Morse Avenue will be shared with our newly elected 13th District County Commissioner Josina Morita and will give our constituents a more effective space to seek assistance or services. One of the greatest challenges of the open floor plan of the old office on Broadway was the noise level and lack of privacy for our constituents who come to us for assistance with deeply personal issues. Our new space will provide a private space for these constituents who deserve dignity and privacy while seeking assistance.

We are not currently open to the public at the Morse office. We expect to be up and running in the new office by February 1st. Until then, we’ll be operating virtually and hosting satellite service hours at 5533 N. Broadway each Wednesday from 9a-5p. Any changes will be posted on our social media and at repcassidy.com. Please continue to email us at repcassidy@gmail.com. 

Winter Bryn Mawrkets

Howard Street Makers Studio

Howard Street Makers Studio provides a safe space for creativity and healing. Everyone is welcome to join during open studios where participants can explore different types of art mediums. Howard Street Makers Studio is located at 1609 W. Howard St. Dates and times are subject to change, please check the calendar to verify dates and times.

Kindred Open Studio is inspired by art therapist and author, Pat Allen’s Open Art Studio methods- where participants as well as the leader create art together as a community. Artists in residence will facilitate classes, community art workshops, spoken word/open mic, sip and paint, discussions and open art studio time with and for the community.

Mondays 11am - 3pm: Mindful Movements with Monimia “Mimi” Macbeth, LCPC, R-DMT

Wednesdays 6 - 9pm: Filipino Martial Arts with Crystle Dino, Chi-Pinayist, Tender Warrior, Folk Art Therapist

Fridays 11am - 3pm: Healing Justice Poetry Circle with Dorian A. Ortega, LCPC

Saturdays 3:30 - 6:30pm: Liberatory Art Studio with Jessica Juarez, M.Ed, LPC, NCC 

Clark/Ridge TIF

The Clark/Ridge TIF district will open the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) applications beginning on February 1. SBIF promotes economic development by providing small businesses with reimbursable grants for permanent building improvement costs (interior or exterior) for businesses and commercial properties located in the TIF district. Residential projects are not eligible for the SBIF program, and residential developers should not apply. 

Program participants can receive grants for 30-90% of project costs, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grants are administered by SomerCor on the City's behalf and do not have to be repaid.

The Department of Development and Planning will host an informational webinar on February 1 at 1 1 PM. Click here to register to attend. To view recordings of previous webinars, click here. 

Township Officials of Illinois Highschool Scholarship

Each year Township Officials of Illinois award scholarships to departing seniors who are going to an Illinois College or University. The completed application must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2023. For more information including the application click here.

2023 Argyle Lunar New Year

COVID-19 Updates

Thursday, January 19th Update:

• Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 IL residents: 86.1
• Daily new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 IL residents 105
• Percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by IL COVID-19 patients: 18%
• Statewide Totals: 3,981,275 confirmed cases and 36,005 deaths

For more details regarding the status of COVID in Illinois click here.

Please click here to see the status of COVID in our zip codes.

Being vaccinated and boosted is critical to limit the major impacts of future pandemic waves we are to face as new variants come along. Please be up to date with your vaccines and continue to test when needed.

To find a vaccine clinic within the City of Chicago click here.

For questions or info regarding COVID-19 testing click here.

If you have questions related to COVID-19 you can contact the

Illinois Department of Public Health:

Hotline: 800-889-3931

Email: dph.sick@illinois.gov

City of Chicago's Department of Public Health:

Hotline: 312-746-4835

Email: coronavirus@chicago.gov

ILHAF Mortgage Assistance Program

Chinese Mutual Aid Association Free Healthcare English Classes

Free Tax Preparation

Registration is open for Chicago Park District's 2023 winter programs. The Chicago Park District offers an extensive array of programs for all ages this winter. You'll find a variety of in-person programming options along with its popular virtual programs. Browse available openings and register here. 

Senior Services

Chicago Methodist Senior Services

Job Resources

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

5533 N Broadway

Chicago IL 60640