First, a reminder that our office will be closed on Monday for Indigenous People’s Day. We will reopen on Tuesday after the holiday.

We continue to review potential legislation as we prepare for Veto Session, Lame Duck Session in January and the new General Assembly next year. I have enjoyed learning about new issues as advocates bring forth ideas. This week we talked about commercial property tax and vacancy credits, decriminalizing sex work, rights for nursing home residents, and protections for chronic pain patients with advocates and constituents. We got a briefing on the ongoing arrivals of migrants from Texas and ways that neighbors can be helpful. We’ve partnered with 49th Ward Alderwoman Maria Hadden on a supply drive for our newly arrived neighbors and are accepting donations at our office. Scroll down for details.

Early voting has begun in Chicago at the two downtown Supersites with neighborhood early voting locations set to open on October 24th. The 48th Ward location will be at the Broadway Armory and the 49th Ward site will be located at Willye White Park. Other locations are listed on the link above along with their hours.

Early voting may be the easiest way to cast your ballot this year. Along with the recently adopted new ward maps for the city of Chicago, we also have new precinct boundaries and voting locations, meaning it’s very likely that the place you’re accustomed to voting is no longer the right location for you. In addition, the Board of Elections has consolidated precincts in part due to challenges over the last several years with getting sufficient staffing into polling places, facilities deciding to discontinue serving as polling places, and lower Election Day turn out due to the convenience of early voting. If like me, you love the Election Day vibe and tradition, be sure to confirm your polling place. The Board of Elections will be doing outreach as well, but the easiest way is to check their website. This will also allow you to confirm your voter registration.

For those heading into the long weekend, enjoy some crisp fall weather and be safe.

Kelly

Office Closed on Monday October 10th

Annual Coat Drive

Our annual office coat drive is underway! We will be collecting until December 12th. We kindly ask that all items are laundered, and are new or lightly used. We are collecting coats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and hats to help keep are neighbors warm and safe this winter. We are not collecting light or fall items. Please make sure that all items are laundered.

For a more detailed list of items, please visit our Target wish list linked below:

https://bit.ly/winter-coat-drive22 

All items can be dropped off at our district office at 5533 N. Broadway, Monday through Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm.

Centro Romero is holding a COVID vaccination event this Saturday, October 8th, and next Saturday, October 15th. Please see the flyer below for more information  regarding eligibility and what services are available.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden's office is collecting items for the newly arriving migrants coming to the City. See the flyer above for items being collected and office hour information. Please make sure to drop off items directly to a staff member. Please don't leave items outside of Ald. Hadden's office. We will also be collecting supplies at our District office at 5533 N Broadway Ave. Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. 

City Key Event

Centro Romero, in partnership with City Clerk Anna Valencia, is hosting a CityKey Event on Friday, October 14th from 12:00pm to 6:00pm.

The CityKey is a free, optional government-issued ID card available to all Chicagoans regardless of age, gender, immigration status, or housing status. It serves as a government- issued ID, a Chicago Public Library Card, a Chicago Transit Authority Ventra Card, and a Chicago Rx prescription drug discount card. CityKey holders are also eligible for the many discounts and benefits offered by participating CityKey business partners across the city.

You can reference the following document guides to reference which documentation you must bring the day of the event:

• Document Guide for Adults
• Document Guide for Children
• Document Guide for Teens and Young Adults
• Document Guide for Veteran Designation

For more information about the CityKey Card program, visit

chicityclerk.com/about-citykey. 

3rd Annual Boo to the Flu Event

On Saturday, October 15th, Hamdard Health invites you to join them for a day of fall festivities. Between 10:00am and 1:00pm, they will be administering free flu shots to all guests that attend. They will also be providing snacks, pumpkins, and scares all free of charge! 

The seasonal flu vaccine is important protection for anyone older than six months of age. The Illinois Department of Health urges everyone to get their vaccine before Halloween and this event is your chance to get it done. Save the date and keep an eye out for any further information.

Open House Chicago

Open House Chicago (OHC) is back for another weekend of architectural discoveries and delights. We are very proud to be partnering with them once again to share the Rogers Park and West Ridge gems that are featured this year. OHC 2022 includes more than 150 sites in 20+ neighborhoods across Chicago and nearby suburbs, many of which are not typically open to the public.

This free public festival from the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) provides behind-the-scenes access to architecturally, historically and culturally significant sites across the city on October 15-16. Continue exploring all month long with self-guided tours and a suite of virtual programs.

More information can be found here.

COVID-19 Updates

Friday, October 7th Update:

• Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 IL residents: 11.4
• Daily new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 IL residents: 90
• Percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by IL COVID-19 patients: 4%
• Statewide Totals: 3,773,667 confirmed cases and 35,073 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

Cook County's Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program will open applications between October 6th and October 21st.

About the Program:

• 3,250 eligible Cook County families will be chosen at random to receive $500 a month for 24 months 
• The application will be open from October 6, 2022, till October 21st, 2022

Eligibility requirements:

• Be a Cook County Resident
• At least 18 years old
• Not participating in any other guaranteed income program (Chicago or Evanston)
• Household income that falls at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Immigration status does not matter nor will it be asked

You can learn more about the program and sign up for updates at https://www.engagecookcounty.com/promise.

The City of Chicago has launched the Home and Business Protection Program (HBPP) to ensure that Chicagoans have access to private security equipment to protect their property and feel safe. The City is providing select rebates to cover costs associated with outdoor security camera systems, cloud storage for video footage, outdoor motion-sensor lighting, vehicle GPS trackers, and subscription costs.

Only security devices purchased on or after Monday, June 6, qualify for reimbursement. No rebates will be provided for private security equipment purchased prior to this date. Installation costs of cameras, lighting, and GPS tracking devices are currently not eligible for reimbursement. 

Learn more about the program and apply for rebates at Chicago.gov/HBPP. If you have any questions, you can email HBPP@cityofchicago.org or call (312) 742-3317.

Polished Pebbles will host its Every Girl is a CEO Global Career Conference for 8th graders through college-aged young women on Saturday, October 15th from 10:00am to 1:30pm. The theme is "One Million Girl CEOs." Use the QR code to register above. 

Chicago DFSS Senior Services

GROW: Hit the Ground Running

Go from business concept to business model and get ready to launch your business in just 5 weeks. This series will help you narrow your business idea, determine feasibility and lay a solid foundation for your business. 

During these sessions, you will learn the basics of how to develop your business idea, write your business plan, set up, promote and manage your business. PLUS you will meet Small Business Loan Representatives and other lenders at a Capital Access Fair.

Sessions start on Wednesday, October 12th on Zoom. Scan the QR code in the flyer above for more information. 

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

5533 N Broadway

Chicago IL 60640