Kelly's Update

Apologies for the lateness of our newsletter, but a combination of a very busy week of session, an unexpected illness, and Mother’s Day means you get a very special Southbound I-55 Monday edition instead! Don’t worry, I’m not driving - my carpool buddy’s got the wheel.

While busy, last week was less about floor action than about finalizing bills for this week’s 3rd Reading Deadline and working on extensions for bills that need a bit more work. I’ve got a few bills that are addressing issues that have come up since the bill introduction deadline that I’m working on with the Governor’s office that fall into that last category. More on those in a bit.

Last week also included a couple of big advocacy days. I was thrilled to join Senator Mike Simmons at the Equality Illinois Advocacy Day Rally at the Capitol Visitors Center where we helped get attendees fired up to hit the halls of the Capitol to advocate for LGBTQ equality. This was after spending the morning with statewide abortion providers hearing about the challenges they face as a result of ever-increasing numbers of out-of-state patients and escalating harassment and violence stemming from clinic protests attempting to prevent patients from accessing clinics.

This week, I anticipate introducing a couple of pieces of legislation that we’ve been working with the Pritzker administration on that address issues that have made news this Spring:

Given the likelihood of the United States Supreme Court overturning the federal law requiring hospitals to provide stabilizing care for people experiencing a pregnancy emergency and presenting at hospital emergency rooms, we will be introducing legislation that will codify those protections at the state level. The bill will be lead sponsored by Rep. Dagmara Avelar, one of the original Dobbs working group members, but I’ll be working closely with her to make sure it gets passed.

Earlier this year, shocking reports of hospitals failing to adequately respond to patient reports of sexual abuse were reported by the Chicago Tribune, largely focused on a single doctor who was able to continue his abuse and move between facilities. While there are still more issues to address, our bill will close the biggest loophole exploited by Dr. Ortega and require hospitals to also report incidents reported from affiliate sites, not just the main hospital campus.

Our district was recently shaken by the brutal murder of Jayden Perkins and the attack on his mother Laterria Smith by her abuser (Crosetti Brand) shortly after being released from custody after a Prisoner Review Board hearing on revoking the killer’s Mandatory Supervised Release failed to contemplate a pending order of protection against him. There are complex problems to be addressed with the Prisoner Review Board, which has struggled to maintain adequate membership with nominees getting held up in the Senate appointment process, so I expect that this bill will be an important first step, but certainly not the end of our work to make this agency more functional and responsive to the needs of the people they serve. Jayden’s murder was so horrific, that members on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers quickly introduced bills seeking to address the issue from multiple angles. Working with our staff, we analyzed each of the proposals in an effort to put together the best policy suggestions possible that also reflect the wishes of all the members who sought to engage in seeking solutions. In a nutshell, our bill will require gender-based violence-specific training for members, ensure that members conducting hearings have the most up-to-date information on the offender’s status and pending cases, provide increased transparency on PRB actions, and create a task force charged with addressing a multitude of issues identified in the process of working on the bill including victim notification and involvement in hearings, the makeup of the Prisoner Review Board including number of members and qualifications, reviewing PRB hearing procedures, as well as other potential reforms.

Following the theme of the ways our systems of health care and criminal justice fail survivors of gender-based violence, this spring also brought reports of challenges faced by sexual assault survivors seeking treatment and forensic exams, including being sent inordinate distances to another hospital to get care, being billed illegally for getting the care they need, and general concerns about available services for survivors. The state law governing these issues is known as SASETA or Sexual Assault Emergency Treatment Act and lays out requirements for healthcare personnel conducting medical forensic exams, requirements for hospitals that provide care, and procedures for hospitals that are not staffed to provide this care to refer patients to another facility. It’s this last item that seems to have led to some of the most egregious issues: in one case, a hospital in southern Illinois was allowed by the Illinois Department of Public Health to tell a patient she needed to go more than 70 miles away to the hospital they’d contracted with to provide care without providing transportation, in spite of the fact that there was a fully staffed and equipped facility less than 15 minutes away. This came after the doctor at that hospital told the patient it wasn’t possible for her to have been raped because she was too big and unattractive. The patient wasn’t able to travel that far and ended up not getting timely care. By the time she reached out to a Rape Crisis Center, it was too late to collect DNA evidence. This is another law that might require a deeper dive to address systemic issues, but we are introducing a bill that will begin the process of making needed updates and fixes to this incredibly important law.

Well, this started on the road, and now as we’ve completed our floor work for the day, I’m wrapping it up. I hope everyone has a great week. This week is the deadline to pass Senate bills, so I’ll try to provide some updates via my social media channels as things heat up closer to the deadline.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Pictured above are the members of the Illinois House of Representatives that are of Asian decent and represent Asian Illinoisans.

To learn more about the history of this month and general Asian American history, visit the following LINK.

Museum Pass Reminder!

To sign up for our museum pass, visit the following LINK.

Additionally, please note that the museum pass is only available to check out once per month per family. We have implemented this policy to ensure that all residents of the 14th district will have an equal opportunity to use the pass.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the pass or its policies, please email info@repcassidy.com or call us at 773-784-2002.

Summer EBT

If you have school-aged kids, you may be able to get help buying groceries this summer. Summer EBT can offer a little breathing room in your family's budget so you can provide your kids with the nutrition they need! Families will receive $120 for each eligible child to purchase groceries when school is out this summer. You can get Summer EBT even if your child is getting free meals at school, camp, or other places this summer.

There's still time to sign up. Visit wegotyouillinois.org to find out if you're eligible and how to get connected to Summer EBT.

Neighborhood Shoutout

Wild Onion Market Opening In June!!!

The Wild Onion Market, a new full-service grocery co-op at Clark and Lunt in Rogers Park, will open for business on June 12. The new community-owned co-op, at 7007 N Clark, will be open to all. Store hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. The store will serve the Rogers Park, Edgewater, and West

Ridge in Chicago, as well as neighboring Evanston.

Wild Onion Market’s mission is to: 1.Keep money in the neighborhood, rather than fill corporate grocery store coffers. 2. Contribute to creating a food supply chain that is transparent, just, and accessible to Midwest farmers and producers. 3. Provide fair paying job opportunities in our neighborhood.

Shoppers can expect to find “all the best local offerings, affordable organic staples, and fresh produce, with great selections throughout the store from gourmet cheese to bulk grocery on regular, rotating sales,” says General Manager Teresa Meza.

The store will also feature a wide category of grocery items with a focus on fresh produce and local products. The store will feature a bulk grocery section where shoppers can fill their own containers as well as a selection of grab & go items.

Wild Onion Market will be conveniently accessible via bus, bicycle, Metra and the ”L”, as well as by car. It was awarded a $250,000 Equitable Transit Oriented Development grant from the city of Chicago.

Opening day on June 12 will also feature a brief afternoon ribbon cutting ceremony with remarks local officials and business leaders.

Wild Onion Market has been ten years in the making. Since 2014 it has built up a base of co-op owner/investors that now totals 2,142. In addition to the major role played by those owners in fulfilling the store’s $2,600,000 capitalization plan, Wild Onion Market has also had the support of Devon Bank, an ETOD grant from the city of Chicago, and funding from other state and local grants.The new grocery store is open to the general public, but as a the food co-op it is run by its 2,142

owners. New owners are always welcome. To become an owner and to learn more about Wild Onion Market, go to wildonionmarket.com.

In the District

Events in Rogers Park

Rogers Park Coffeehouse and Tap Room Opening on Howard St!

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Dubkin Park Community Garden

The Dubkin Park Community Gardens at 7442 N Ashland was awarded an in kind grant of $500 each. That’s $1,000 of plant materials for planting and eventually beautifying Dubkin Park. The Community Gardens want to thank the Community Gardens in the Park team at the Chicago Park District for their generosity in awarding these grants. We also want to thank Misty Mitchell, our park supervisor, for her support during the grant application process.

The team is looking for volunteers to help with late Spring and early Summer garden needs. They have several available times to come help out. If you're interested in volunteering please go to this form and fill out when you're willing to come help out. Ideally they are looking for volunteers to come when they are able to with some availability on the weekends.

Immediate need - They need help planning or designing the gardens’ space so they can effectively install these plant materials. They have two distinct gardens that need planning or design.

Upcoming need - They expect delivery of the plant materials in late April. Once those materials have arrived they will need help planting them. They can schedule a workday for a Saturday morning or other days depending on the response. They have some garden tools at the Park but you may want to bring your personal favorite.

Ongoing need - Newly planted perennials will need watering throughout the spring and summer. And, controlling weeds is always an issue. They will need a few volunteers to water and if you’re willing weed the garden’s through the spring and summer.

They have access to a water box so watering will be able to be done by hose or sprinkler. Garden tools are are also available at the Park, but bring your own if you have your favorites!

Dubkin Park Community Gardens were first established in 2012. That first garden was a group of vegetable garden beds available to community members. Over time the Gardens expanded their reach to include prairie perennial plantings within the Garden’s picket fence. Then, the Gardens added the Ornamental garden along the Ashland sidewalk. The Ornamental garden benefited from the installation of permanent fencing to protect the plantings from dog and people traffic. The Community Gardens want to thank the Community Gardens in the Park team at the Chicago Park District for their generosity in awarding these grants. They also want to thank Misty Mitchell, the park supervisor, for her support during the grant application process.

To sign up to volunteer at the Dubkin Community Garden, click on this LINK.

Jarvis Square Artisan Market

The Jarvis Square Artisan Market returns to Jarvis Square (Greenview and Jarvis) for another season! The market brings local arts and craft vendors to the Jarvis Square Alfresco area where they can showcase and sell their creations. The market also has live music and food for patrons to enjoy. From 10am-2pm.

Vendors who are interested in participating in this or future monthly markets should email charmersartisans@gmail.com.

Events in Edgewater

48th Ward Newsletter Shoutout

The office of 48th ward Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth is seeking to increase their newsletter subscriber count up to 7500! Subscribe to stay informed about all things happening in the 48th ward and to learn about programs offered by the City of Chicao. Help them reach their goal by visiting the48thward.org/news-archive to sign up.

The Chicago Mosaic School's Mosaic Fest

The Chicago Mosaic School is hosting its 2024 Mosaic Fest on Sunday, May 19th from 11am-6pm at 1127 W. Granville Ave.

This event is a perfect way to experience all The Chicago Mosaic School has to offer while connecting with the community! Try your hand at creating a variety of mosaic projects, listen to live music, meet your neighbors, and enjoy food and beverages from several featured vendors.

To learn more about this event, visit the following LINK.

Friends of the Edgewater Library: Edgewater Stories

Everyone has a story and Friends of the Edgewater Library want to hear yours!

Edgewater Stories is an initiative created by Friends of the Edgewater Library to reach out to community organizations, businesses and individuals to hear their stories about how and why they came to Edgewater.

The Friends' group wants to learn about and become more aware of the diverse cultures in our neighborhood, and feel the community would be interested in this, too. The stories are whatever individuals want to share. What is their connection to Edgewater? It may include where and why the journey to Edgewater began. (e.g., Was it to move to Chicago for a job, to start a business, or to be near family? Was it to immigrate to the United States?)

Stories should be submitted in written form; they should be sent to info@foelchicago.org by July 1. Read more about Edgewater Stories at https://www.foelchicago.org/edgewater-stories

What is Friends of the Edgewater Library?

Friends is a non-profit volunteer organization that supports the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library. It raises funds to supplement the library’s budget to provide programs for the community. The group also purchases equipment, books, and supplies for children, teens, and adult activities.

CTA RPM Public Meeting

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced it will hold public community meetings on May 22 and 23 to present preliminary designs and concepts for the upcoming under “L” activation between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr stations under the new Red and Purple Line tracks being constructed as a part of the historic $2.1 billion Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project in the Uptown and Edgewater neighborhoods.

More than one mile of new, open space under the L tracks has become available to the community. The CTA last year removed the 100-year-old embankment wall as a part of the RPM project, creating a unique opportunity to provide the Uptown and Edgewater neighborhoods with new open space underneath Red and Purple Line tracks between W Lawrence and W Ardmore avenues.

This series of meetings responds to feedback received from the first round of engagement by providing concepts for each of the 10 blocks based on feedback from the first meetings and solicit input from the community on those concepts.

For blocks between W Foster and W Ardmore:

Date and time: Wednesday, May 22, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Saint Ita Catholic Church, 5500 N. Broadway

For blocks between W Lawrence and W Foster:

Date and time: Thursday, May 23, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave.

Edgewater Yard & Sidewalk Sale

Join Edgewater Chamber of Commerce and Edgewater Block Clubs (ETNA, BARGE, EPIC, EGA, and NEON/ENN) for their annual Edgewater Yard and Sidewalk Sale kicking off at 9AM, June 1, 2024.

Come stroll around one of the coolest and thriftiest neighborhoods on the north side with friends, neighbors, and visitors during the Edgewater Yard & Sidewalk Sale. Hunt for treasures, unique gifts, or that one item you’ve always been searching for. Hundreds of local residents open up their yards for one of the largest and liveliest combined yard sales in the entire region.

To make the deal even sweeter, Edgewater Chamber works with DOZENS of local retail establishments to host their Sidewalk Sale on the SAME DAY at the SAME TIME, so you can hit everything on one day. It’s a spectacle you won’t want to miss.

Edgewater Yard & Sidewalk Sale is a rain or shine event.

Edgewater Businesses: Sign up here to be featured in the Sidewalk Sale

Edgewater Residents: Click here to sign up for the Yard Sale

Care for Real Drive

Our office (1507 W. Morse) will serve as a drop off location for The Diaper and Menstrual Care Drive that will support Care for Real. We are accepting drop offs Monday - Friday from 9am-5pm. Please call 773-784-2002 to make sure we will be in the office.

Events in Andersonville

The Andersonville Farmers Market

The Andersonville Farmers Market, celebrating its 15^th anniversary season, returns on Wednesdays from 3 – 7 pm from May 15 – October 23, 2024 on Catalpa Ave. between Clark St. and Ashland Ave. Featuring more than 40 vendors, everything sold at the Andersonville Farmers Market is grown or produced within a 200-mile radius, offering the community access to fresh, local food. The 24-week market will continue to feature weekly entertainment and expanded kids’ programming including Cruelty Free You + Me every week, and sustainability-themed activities on select dates. This year there will be special Makers Markets on May 15, 22 and 29, 2024, spotlighting local makers and their goods. Presented in partnership with the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, the Makers Market will be held on the west end of Catalpa, adjacent to the Farmers Market.

Culinary Battle Royale

Fan of cooking competitions, a foodie, or just want to support a good cause? The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce warmly invites you to their exciting new event, a Culinary Battle Royale! On Saturday, May 18 from 5 - 8PM, they've got two phenomenal local chefs, Jaquelyn Lord of The Dinner Belle Chicago and David Welch of Kitchnstudio, who will go head to head using ONLY ingredients from Care For Friends pantry! You'll taste, you'll vote, and the winning chef will return to Care For Friends to serve the same meal for Care For Friends clients.

All proceeds will go back to Care For Friends' mission and support services to those in need in our community. Get your tickets here.

Youth & Teen

Loyola Park Baseball

Sign up for t-ball and little league is still open! The season has already began, but games run through August 3rd so there is still time to get out there and play!

To register for T-ball, click on this LINK.

To register for baseball, click on this LINK.

Job Openings

Edgewater Environmental Council Internship Position

EEC invites energetic, community-minded individuals to join us as interns and help manage our local environmental sustainability projects and advocacy. This position entails a combination of project management, public and volunteer communication, marketing and public outreach, and administrative tasks.

This is a bi-annual position. Applications for the Jan–June internship are accepted during the prior November–December; for the July–Dec internship, April–May. For more information, read this document.

To apply, send your resume and a short cover letter to sustainedgewater@gmail.com.

Chicago Park District Summer Jobs