On Monday, I woke up to a message from a friend who explained that someone had been saved by a life ring at North Avenue Beach that morning. Of the Great Lakes, experts say Lake Michigan has the highest rate of drownings. This is why my office and the amazing community advocates and families pushed for life rings to be installed on all piers and drop-off points along Lake Michigan. For a life to be saved by a life ring just days after the bill was signed shows how critical it was to pass this policy. This issue was one of the first things I worked on with my Chief of Staff Torrence Gardner, beginning when he was still working in Alderwoman Hadden’s office and it was the first bill he took on in his role in our office. Remembering how I felt years ago when I heard from a family thanking me for passing the state’s Good Samaritan law protecting folks from prosecution when they seek help for someone experiencing an overdose, I checked in with him asking him how he felt to help pass a law that immediately saved a life and suggested he share his thoughts in this week’s newsletter. His statement is below:

"You do not always fully know how a law will impact society after it passes. You do the research and the calculations as best as you can to ensure that the best outcomes occur. You work with advocates and anyone impacted to further make sure that the legislation will have tangible and positive benefits once it becomes law. However, you still do not know fully know. When I got the call I was still not quite ready for how it would feel to hear a life being saved based on a policy that many like me put time into. I personally felt uplifted and inspired. Long hours and frustrating conversations are a true reality when doing policy work. A quote popped into my head when I found out that my nana used to always say to me and that is, ‘Don't be a part of the problem, be a part of the solution.’ This week I fully felt the grasp of that. I became a part of the solution by joining along with many neighbors, advocates, and families that felt change was needed. Make your voice heard at all costs because it may be just that very action that saves a life one day."

In other news this week, Governor Pritzker signed our bill to increase access to life-saving HIV prevention medication by allowing pharmacists to dispense PEP & PrEP. We have been working with advocates for about three years now, researching other states’ approaches, and meeting with stakeholders from the health care, pharmacy, and insurance arenas alongside advocates from the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Howard Brown Health, and Equality Illinois among others. Senator Mike Simmons and I worked together to overcome concerns over implementation and craft a package that will bring us closer to our goal of getting to zero new cases of HIV by removing barriers to access faced largely by marginalized communities. To read Governor Pritzker's press release click here.

This weekend marks the return of Andersonville’s landmark street festival, Midsommarfest. Last night, I was thrilled to help kick off the first show of the night at the Catalpa stage and then joined some fierce advocates at the Berwyn stage for Blooming Beyond the Binary: Trans Stage Takeover night with the Chicago Therapy Collective to share updates on HB2542 and give folks tangible steps to help get the bill over the finish line in Veto session this fall.

As I write this, our team is setting up at Midsommarfest as well as preparing for the very first 49th Ward Juneteenth Block Party. Our tent at Midsommarfest is on the west side of Clark between Berwyn and Farragut so stop by and say hi to Wade and Taylor and the team. Join us this afternoon on Paulina north of Howard for a great afternoon of music, food, and fun for all. Details are below.

Next week brings more events commemorating Pride and Juneteenth as we continue a very busy month. With just a couple of weeks left in their term, we expect that the Supreme Court will be releasing the decision in Dobbs any day. Advocates have planned an emergency protest for the day of the decision at Federal Plaza. We’re excited for the return of Artists of the Wall and the chance to remember the drowning victims who inspired our new law.

Finally, the last day to register to vote in advance of the June 28th primary via the Illinois State Board of elections website is tomorrow. In-person early voting begins in the neighborhoods on Monday, June 13. The 49th ward’s early voting site has been moved this year to Willye White Park at 1610 W Howard Street. In the 48th ward, voters can go to the Broadway Armory at 5917 N. Broadway. For hours and locations all over the city, visit the Chicago Board of Elections website here. Cook County voters outside the city of Chicago can find their early voting location here. And voters wishing to obtain a vote by mail ballot can register for one here by June 28th.

Congratulations to Taylor Ortiz, Constituent Advocate at our District Office, for graduating this past weekend with her Masters in Public Policy from the Harris School at the University of Chicago! We are very excited for you and happy you began your journey into policy with us!

Please join us on Thursday, June 30th for our second legislative conversation event of the summer! We will be gathering at Taste Food & Wine for beverages and a legislative wrap up by Representative Cassidy. Hope to see you there! Register at bit.ly/Drinks14Taste.

Bramble Theater Company is hoping to revive the city's play scene following the pandemic by creating a performing arts space in Andersonville. The Bramble Arts Loft, located at 5545 N Clark St on the second floor of a historic auto garage, will hold a 101-seat theater plus a 50-seat moveable "black box" space. A kitchen, bar, and gathering area will also be used for after show events and meet-and-greets. Bramble co-founders Matthew Lunt and Karissa Murrell Myers say construction is scheduled to begin early this fall, with the debut expected early next year. For additional information, click here.

Join us this weekend for Andersonville Midsummer Fest! Stop by and see us at our table between 10:00am and 4:00pm.

The Block Party reflects the federal holiday occurring on Sunday, June 19 commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. Attractions include live music by DJ Lady D, a bouncy house, a spades tournament, community services, and a gymnastics performance by the one and only Jesse White Tumblers. There will also be food available from local restaurants. Admission is free.

Edgewater's Monday Market will once again bring fresh from the farm produce, unique artisanal goods and more! The market will provide the finest quality meats, fruits & vegetables, fresh pastries, and a tasty selection of prepared foods. It will showcase 14 local vendors, including Farmer Nick's, Parra Farms, Eternal Harmony, and Tamales Express. To learn more, click here.

Nodd Pottery will be hosting the RainbowNeighborsTables Market Series featuring items created by LGBT-owned vendors and rainbow allies.

Date: June 11, 18

Location: The Glenwood - 6962 N Glenwood Ave

Date: The event will take place June 21 from 4-9 pm

Location: Willye White Park - 1610 W Howard St

Fee: No fee for playing in the event

The Artists of the Wall festival is back this summer with this year's theme, theme "World of Tomorrow."

Beginning in 1993, neighbors have gathered to refresh the 600 foot stretch of murals extending from Farwell to Morse Ave. on Loyola Park Beach. In addition to art, there will be live music and entertainment for all ages.

Date: This event will take place June 18 from 10am-5pm and June 19 from 10am-3pm

Location: Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf

For more information, please visit the Loyola Advisory Council's Website

Illinois continues to see more counties enter the high-risk level. At the high-risk community Level, people at risk of severe health outcomes are advised to take additional precautions to protect themselves from the virus, including masking up in indoor spaces. Ilinois has seen a 10% increase in COVID cases since Memorial Day. It is recommended now that all people wear masks in crowded indoor settings and to test immediately if showing symptoms or have been exposed. Please also stay up to date with your vaccines.

Illinois health officials reported 34,001 new COVID-19 cases over the past week. There have been at least 3,352,983 total COVID cases including at least 33,926 related deaths in the state since the pandemic began.

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.

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

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

Statewide Totals: 3,352,983 confirmed cases and 33,926 deaths

Hotline: 800-889-3931

Email: dph.sick@illinois.gov

Hotline: 312-746-4835

Email: coronavirus@chicago.gov

To help as many people as possible keep their Medicaid coverage, HFS needs updated addresses to send people their renewal forms. People who use Medicaid can update their addresses two ways: calling the HFS hotline (877-805-5312), or through an HFS web form.

To start the process, schedule an appointment for an energy advisory to perform a free energy assessment. For more information and to schedule an assessment, visit multifamilyportal.com. 

To apply, visit chicago.gov/cpr.

The application is now open. Students (and adults) can apply at pollworker.chicagoelections.gov before the application closes on May 1. Election Judges earn $230 for completing training and working on election day.

For more information and to apply, click here.

Learn more and apply at GoodmanTheatre.org/InterGens.

To register for these events, click here.

To register for this event, click here.

The Chicago Park District launched a new marketing campaign featuring the dedicated lifeguards who serve across the city and make Chicago’s vibrant aquatics recreation and programming possible. Entitled the “I am a Chicago Lifeguard” campaign, this marketing push features a diverse group of talented lifeguards who work tirelessly to keep our beaches and pools safe and enrich the lives of thousands of kids, adults, and families who use Chicago Park District pools and beaches. The “I am a Chicago Lifeguard” digital and print campaign features a dedicated webpage, social media profiles, and posters at our fieldhouses and on billboards throughout the city.

As the Chicago Park District gears up for this summer, they are looking for qualified candidates to join their team. Candidates for Seasonal Lifeguard positions must be 16 years old and over, a resident of Chicago, and fully vaccinated. Future lifeguards must also pass the swim skills test and become American Red Cross certified. Pay for entry-level lifeguards starts at $15.88. Click here to apply today. 

Learn more by clicking here. 

The CTA Second Chance Program allows individuals with a barrier to employment an opportunity for a fulfilling and stable career with the CTA. Those interested in the program should complete a survey of interest by clicking here. More information on the Second Chance Program is available on the CTA's website here. 

Applications and a list of open positions can be found at PaceBus.com/Careers. 

For more info, please visit greencorpschicago.org.

Getir Chicago is now hiring delivery drivers and order packers for its locations throughout the city. Learn more and apply on their website. 

Collective Resource Compost is a nearby Skokie-based composting service in need of Compost Service Specialists/Drivers and Container Washers. Starting wages for drivers are $16/hr, with the opportunity for growth and part-time flexibility.

To apply, send a resume and cover note to customerservice@collectiveresource.us

Learn more about these positions here