Introduction of The Expanding Abortion Services (TExAS) Act
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Earlier this month the United States Supreme Court refused to block implementation of Texas's newest law to strip reproductive freedoms away from residents in the middle of the night. In a scathing dissent, Justice Sonya Sotomayor excoriated the court’s actions: “The Court’s order is stunning. Presented with an application to enjoin a flagrantly unconstitutional law engineered to prohibit women from exercising their constitutional rights and evade judicial scrutiny, a majority of Justices have opted to bury their heads in the sand. Last night, the Court silently acquiesced in a State’s enactment of a law that flouts nearly 50 years of federal precedents.” Check out the rest of her amazing dissent, as well as the dissents of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Kagan here.
The Texas law effectively bans abortion in the state of Texas by prohibiting abortions after the 6th week of pregnancy in spite of the very real fact that very few people discover their pregnancy so quickly. The state of Texas has declared open season on pregnant people in that they have created a bounty hunter system encouraging Texans to bring suit against anyone who in any way participates in an abortion. Obviously, the most natural targets would be a patient and the medical personnel performing the procedure, but the law is written broadly enough that a rideshare driver taking a patient on a ride without even knowing where they were going could be subject to a civil penalty of $10,000 per act.
This act from Texas and the U.S. Supreme Court reminds my of why it was so important for us to pass the Reproductive Healthcare Act back in 2019, even against protests from my colleagues that it was not necessary at the time. The reckless attacks on Roe v. Wade will continue and we must continue to push forward so that we do not fall back.
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In response, I filed a bill named the TExAS Act (The Expanding Abortion Services Act). This bill seeks to affirm the steps Illinois has taken to ensure that our state remains a place where the full range of reproductive health services are available and accessible to all people, including those forced to travel out of state from jurisdictions seeking to restrict access to abortion and other reproductive health care. The bill creates a civil right of action enabling any person to bring a court action against a person who commits an act of domestic violence or sexual assault, as well as anyone who causes an unintended pregnancy or any person who enables those acts. It establishes a minimum $10,000 civil award to the person bringing the action with at least $5,000 of that fine going into a newly created state fund to ensure that people who are forced to flee their home states to seek reproductive health care have the ability to pay for that care here in Illinois.
If enacted, the fund would provide financial aid to women who may come to Illinois to seek reproductive health care in a safe and accessible way. The person found responsible for causing an unintended pregnancy, or a person committing an act of domestic violence or sexual assault, or someone who enabled those actions would be responsible for paying the damages.
The introduction of this bill is crucial to not only the Illinois legislature but surrounding states so that we can start to contemplate what a society looks like when these types of policies become the norm. We need to analyze and really understand what is at stake when what is playing out in Texas is left unchecked. At the same time, we must take every step possible to ensure that we are meeting the needs of patients who flee their home states to seek care here in Illinois.
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Parental Notice of Abortion Updates |
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This past weekend I attended a handmaids rally with advocates from across the state. You can find my remarks on our Facebook page.
I’ve often described passage of the Reproductive Health Act as having built a firewall around the State of Illinois by proclaiming access to reproductive health care in the state a fundamental right. But the truth is, that firewall has a gaping hole in it and we must take the steps needed to repair that hole immediately. My colleague, Anna Moeller, has introduced HB1797 which will repeal the state’s draconian Parental Notice of Abortion Act. With young people fleeing states denying access to care, it’s more important than ever that we ensure that they, along with young people here in Illinois, can safely access care without the traumatic and intimidating need to go before a judge to access medical care.
Just as with the RHA and HB40 before it, we have heard from colleagues that they don’t believe there’s an urgent need to vote on the PNA repeal and that the proximity of the upcoming elections makes a vote like this hard. Please take a moment to reach out to the leaders of our General Assembly and let them know the time is now to repeal PNA.
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Speaker Chris Welch: (217) 782-5350 Springfield, (708) 450-1000 District or email him here.
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Senate President Don Harmon: (217) 782-8176 Springfield, (708) 848-2002 District or email him here.
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Governor JB Pritzker: (312) 814-2121 or (312) 814-2122 or email him here.
There are several organizations working in coalition on PNA repeal. If you are interested in getting involved with the grass roots work to pass this bill, sign up here and we’ll be sure to connect you with the folks putting volunteers to work!
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Life Rings on Chicago Lakefronts |
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After the tragic drowning of Miguel Cisneros at Pratt Pier last month my office in partnership with community activists and Alderwoman Hadden's office have been pushing for the Chicago park district to install life rings at Pratt Pier. A few weeks ago we met to take a tour of the pier to discuss signage and safety measurers the park district can implement to protect residents and inform the community on the dangers of swimming while no lifeguards are present. |
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Due to ongoing pressure from our joint efforts the park district has installed the life rings at this location. While this is a small victory it did come at a huge price and I am continuing to move forward with legislation to mandate safety equipment at all lakefront piers in the city to ensure that none of our neighbors are lost again due to a tragedy that could have been avoided. |
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Back to School Tax Credit |
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The Illinois Department of Revenue has announced that families can claim school expenses for students in grades K-12 on their 2021 Illinois individual income tax returns.
You may take a credit for qualified education expenses in excess of $250 you paid during the tax year if:
- you were the parent or legal guardian of a full-time student who was under the age of 21 at the close of the school year,
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you and your student were Illinois residents when you paid the expenses, and
- your student attended kindergarten through twelfth grade at a public or nonpublic school in Illinois during the tax year.
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Illinois Secretary of State Updates |
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Illinois Secretary of State has announced that Drivers Facilities in Chicago and surrounding suburbs are offering service appointments up to 10 days in advance. To schedule an appointment please click here and follow the prompts. Appointments are only available for Drivers License or State ID services, appointments aren't available for vehicle services. To schedule an appointment click here. If there aren't times or dates listed than that particular location may not have any available slots, continue to check back for open times and slots.
Secretary of State also offers a number of services online. To see what services are available online click here. Some drivers are eligible for license renewals online, to check your eligibility click here. Jesse White has extended all expired Drivers Licenses to January 2022, for more information click here.
Secretary of State also offers the Homebound State ID program for older adults, bedridden individuals and people with disabilities who are unable to leave their homes to obtain a state ID card from a Secretary of State facility. The card may be used for identification purposes in the same way as a standard driver’s license is used for identification. Certain documents are required to obtain the card. Once an applicant submits the information via our web form below, we will determine eligibility and the documents required to complete the transaction. To submit your form click here. For assistance or if you have questions about eligibility please call (312) 814-3121 or reach out to our office.
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Illinois Department of Employment Security Offices Now Open For Appointments |
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Today the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced that the remaining job centers in Chicago are open for appointments starting Monday, September 20th. This includes:
Chicago – Lincoln Square | 2444 West Lawrence
Chicago – Woodlawn | 1515 East 71st Street
To schedule an appointment at any of these locations, individuals should call via the IDES Scheduling Hotline at 217-558-0401 and request a callback. Appointments must be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the appointment time. An appointment may be scheduled for one of the following reasons:
- Identity verification for an unemployment insurance claim
- Assistance registering with IllinoisJobLink.com
- Assistance documenting work search activities
- Employment services, including resume and job search guidance
- Request to use the Resource Room to use computers with internet and other resources
Appointments will be available Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 5:00pm. To ensure efficiency, each appointment will be 20 minutes in length and visitors will be afforded a 10-minute grace period. Visitors who schedule an appointment must bring a photo ID and any other documentation required for the appointment. A scheduled appointment is required for entrance into one of the offices. Individuals who arrive at an office without an appointment will be asked to schedule an appointment via the Scheduling Hotline for a later date.
Masks or face coverings are required when entering an office. If a visitor has been experiencing any symptoms or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within 14 days prior to their appointment, they will be required to reschedule the appointment.
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Illinois Eviction Moratorium Ending and Rental Assistance Payment Program |
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The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is extending the Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) rental counseling compliance deadline to Monday, September 27th at 11:59pm CST. This extension is to ensure ample opportunity has been given to tenants to be compliant for funding when their landlords are not responsive. Thus, clients are now able to upload their certificates through the 27th. Rental counseling sessions are to resume now through the 27th. To find a local housing stability service provider that is still offering these counseling sessions visit the IHDA website here.
IHDA sent out an email Friday, September 16th to all ILRPP applicants with non-responsive landlords. If you didn't receive an email from IHDA please follow up with their customer service line at or reach out to our office.
For all other tenant led applicants, IHDA is continuing to review application and notices are starting to trickle out. Their goal is to have all notices sent out of approval or denial by the end of the month.
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On Saturday, September 17th Governor Pritzker extended the eviction moratorium to Saturday, October 3rd. This moratorium allows for evictions to be filed but does not allow court proceedings to begin until then. The Illinois Housing Development Authority will be opening another round of rental assistance programs later this year. The Department of Human Services' rental assistance program is still open here. Free legal assistance may be accessed through Eviction Help Illinois by visiting evictionhelpillinois.org or calling 855-631-0811.
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Thank You For Supporting Our Annual Back to School Drive |
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Last week we wrapped up our annual backpack drive in partnership with our office suitemates, including Senator Mike Simmons. We want to give a special shoutout to those neighbors that made contributions as well as the local businesses that helped support this drive by being drop off locations including Women & Children First Bookstore, R Public House, Honeybear Cafe and those that made contributions including Robert Jeffrey Hair Studio Andersonville, Walgreens and Target. We were able to provide over 100 bags filled with supplies to local community service organizations and schools throughout the district!
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We have rescheduled our previous Coffee Chat event for Sunday, September 26. Come join us for refreshments and a conversation about this past legislative session and share any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you again! See flyer below for details. |
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Entries for the Parkway Picture Contest may now be submitted up to Friday, September 24. Shine a light on all the hard work you or your neighbors have put into the parkways that make our community beautiful.
Submit your photo using this form. Voting will take place Monday, September 27 - Wednesday, October 6 on a separate form that will be launched in our newsletter that Monday and on our social media platforms. There will be two categories for prize winners: residential homes and condos/businesses. The winner of each category will be announced Thursday, October 7.
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Care for Real Block Party Event |
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Care for Real is celebrating their 50th anniversary with a community celebration on Sunday, September 26 from 2-5PM.
They are gathering during Hunger Action Month to bring attention to the increasing need for food assistance in our community. The free block party-style event will take place just outside their doors on Balmoral between Sheridan and Kenmore. Stop by for food, entertainment, special guests, a raffle, and more!
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Edgewater Annual Yard and Sidewalk Sale |
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You can now register for the Annual Yard and Sidewalk Sale. This event will take place Saturday, September 25th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For participating residents, there is a $10 registration fee that covers all promotions of sale and contribution to your block club.
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Northside Call to Action to Support Black, Brown & LGBTQI+ Youth |
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Our office is serving as a drop off location for the Chicago Therapy Collectives Northside drive in partnership with Alderman Osterman, Senator Simmons as well as other elected officials and organizations on the northside. CTC is also looking for volunteers to work their Andersonville Homecoming table and more.
Drop off at our office: 5533 N Broadway Ave. Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
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Northside Afghan Refugee Welcome Kit Drive |
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In partnership with our suitemates, Senator Simmons and Alderman Osterman as well as other elected officials on the northside we are partnering to collect items for Afghan refugees coming to our community. The northside has long been home to many refugees and has always been a welcoming and giving place. Let's continue this history by collecting items that these folks need most. |
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Sincerely,
Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District
Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy
5533 N Broadway
Chicago IL 60640
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773-784-2002(phone)
773-784-2060(fax)
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