On Monday I was happy to stand with Planned Parenthood President of Illinois Jennifer Welch, Mayor Lightfoot, and other elected officials to support the City’s Justice for All Pledge. This pledge embodies Chicago’s commitment to providing access to reproductive health care. The city of Chicago plans to provide $500,000 to increase access to abortion as we expect a rise in out-of-state patients. The money is expected to go to organizations such as the Chicago Abortion Fund and Midwest Access Coalition as well as abortion providers. These organizations provide essential services like lodging and traveling for people seeking abortions. I said at the news conference that the $500,000 was a "drop in the bucket,” even though this represents the largest municipal investment in providing access to abortion services. I meant that not as a critique of the city’s actions but to encourage others to follow suit, calling out specifically Cook County and the State of Illinois to make their own investments. Mayor Lightfoot reiterated her support for ensuring the ongoing availability of funding as we move into the next budget cycle.
The pledge we took is intentionally broadly inclusive. I was pleased to spend time at the event with Rachel Arfa, the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. She had prepared a toolkit for providing access to Reproductive Health Care for People With Disabilities. When I offered to share the toolkit, I asked if she’d like to share an introduction to the toolkit for our newsletter. Her statement and a link to the toolkit are here:
Earlier this week, I was proud to stand with Mayor Lightfoot and Rep. Cassidy to support the City’s Justice for All Pledge, which affirms Chicago’s commitment to providing access to reproductive health care for Chicagoans and anyone who may be coming to our city from other states. This includes people with disabilities, who have historically been victims of forced sterilization or procedures performed without consent, and denied body autonomy, having been victims of forced sterilization or sterilization measures made without knowledge nor consent. Even today, health care providers often fail to provide services in accessible and barrier-free means, including by denying requests for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, failing to make materials accessible for blind/low vision individuals or by providing services in accessible buildings and patient rooms, and more.
As we continue our fight to protect access to choice and reproductive health care, this is the time for reproductive health care providers to plan and implement tools so they can be prepared to serve people with disabilities. Often times people with disabilities are told to “come back” when access is provided – in these circumstances, we must be prepared to meet needs under exigent circumstances. When it comes to reproductive health care, “more” time may not be available or come at great personal cost.
Please check out this guide to planning for accessible reproductive health care - taking time to plan ahead, train staff, and have accessibility available will make all the difference in removing important barriers for people with disabilities. The City of Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) is available for any questions – please feel free to contact them by telephone at (312)744-7050 or by e-mail at MOPDInfo@cityofchicago.org. Thank you for taking the time to ensure that our City’s reproductive health care is as barrier-free as possible. https://tinyurl.com/yrc28ffb
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Drinks & Conversation Event |
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I am excited to host my first Drinks & Conversation of the summer season! Join my staff and I at RP Social on Thursday, May 26th for a legislative conversation and some drinks to socialize! The event will run from 6:00-7:30 pm. We will be capping sign-ups at 40 people, so be sure to claim your spot.
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Visiting New Field School |
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I had so much fun visiting 2nd and 4th-grade art students at New Field this week! These students were amazing to meet in person. We got to chat about their interests and why they enjoy their art class at New Field. The ability to express is important for our youth and I am happy they were so willing to share their work as vulnerable as that can be. Thank you Principal Callahan for your leadership of such a great school and overall kindness that day. |
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Also, a huge shoutout to our previous artists of the week! It was so great to meet you in person and again thank you so much for brightening up our office space. |
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Shoutout to Teachers and Nurses |
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Last week, we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week and this week we celebrate Nurses Appreciation Week! We would like to thank all the educators and nurses in our district and everywhere for all the work and dedication you put into your fields. The service these industries provide is one we could not do without! |
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Happy Older Americans Month! |
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May is Older Americans Month. I would like to take some time to reflect on the progress Illinois has made in providing financial relief and support to Illinois seniors. The state budget I passed this year will include a property tax rebate for homeowners and the earned income tax credit
will be expanded to cover people 65 and over, thus further reducing the tax burden on seniors who can least afford it. Access will also be expanded for at-home and community care services provided though the Illinois Community Care Program. This program helps seniors access the resources they need to live as independently as possible. Please feel free to reach out and share your thoughts on how we can continue
to support Illinois seniors by sending us an email at repcassidy@gmail.com or by reaching out to our office.
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The Andersonville Wine Walk, now in its 16th year, turns businesses throughout the district into wine tasting destinations to service 600 attendees! I am proud to be a sponsor of this great event!
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Saturdays at Jarvis Square Artisan Market |
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The Jarvis Square Artisan Market will return 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.
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OurNeighborsTable Market Every Saturday |
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The Glenwood bar has partnered with local artists to host a series of art markets called OurNeighborsTable running every Saturday through May 28th. The program will feature a variety of artists, bakers, and music makers. |
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Heartland Health Offering Free Zumba Classes |
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Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Virtual Events |
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Chicago moved to the medium risk level of COVID-19 transmission last week and cases continue to rise. At the Medium 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. The state is starting to see again a rise in cases also. The state’s seven-day rolling average for new cases per day went up to 5,398, the highest average since Feb. 10. This represents an over 40 percent increase from last week. Hospitalizations, although on the rise in the state, continue to remain low.
Paxlovid
Paxlovid is a five-day course of antiviral pills that help treat those suffering from COVID-19 and has been the top-recommended treatment. However, these pills have not been easy to get mainly due to the treatment requiring a prescription. The treatment would also need to start within five days of symptoms appearing.
Here are two ways to access COVID pills, if you're eligible to get them for those who don't have a primary doctor.
Visit a test-to-treat site
Another route to getting Paxlovid is visiting one of the 2,300 health centers, urgent care clinics and pharmacies that are designated by the government as "test to treat" sites.
Test-to-treat locations can be found by clicking here.
Try online urgent care
For those who prefer telehealth visits – and may not be able to get an appointment quickly through their primary health care provider – virtual healthcare platforms such as Plushcare, eMed, and Truepill offer online visits to test, assess and prescribe COVID medications. The appointments are available at all hours and may come with some out-of-pocket costs. A prescription can be sent to a nearby pharmacy, or filled and shipped to you.
May 13th Update:
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Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 IL residents in the past 7 days: 44.9
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New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 IL residents in the past 7 days: 79
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The percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by IL COVID-19 patients: 19%
The above graph highlights the 7-day rolling average for hospital admissions. Hospitalization rates continue to slowly rise. The state does feel prepared in the event of a surge 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.
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To find a vaccine clinic within the City of Chicago click here.
For questions or info regarding COVID-19 testing click here.
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COVID-19 Count as of Friday, May 13th:
Statewide Totals: 3,209,341 confirmed cases, 33,705 deaths and 22,099,637 vaccines administered
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
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The Illinois Department of Public Health is proud to be partnering with the Rockefeller Foundation to offer free COVID-19 tests to households in identified priority zip codes across the state. Eligibility is based on zip codes with the highest risk of Covid-19, using the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) combined with state data on Covid-19 burden.
The website is live. Constituents living in eligible zip codes can go to www.AccessCovidTests.org to order a free test kit.
- Each household will receive 1 kit with five tests within one to two weeks after ordering.
- No payment information is required — both the tests and shipping are free to eligible residents.
- The program is currently limited to one order per residential address.
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MAY 31st DEADLINE FOR LIHEAP
Citizens Utility Board Webinars in Preparation
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The deadline to apply for this round of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP is May 31st. LIHEAP funding is available to help income-qualified customers pay for their utility bills. Before this deadline arrives, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is holding two free webinars this week on how to apply.
The presentations, by CUB and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), will be held in English and Spanish and will be followed by a live Q&A with experts from both organizations.
Eligible consumers can apply through their Local Administering Agency or Community Action Agency (visit the DCEO website to find yours). For more information about LIHEAP, see the graphic below.
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Letter Regarding Nursing Licenses from IDFPR |
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Please see the attached letter from the IDFPR regarding updates on the nursing license renewal process that are currently underway. |
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DCEO Grant Opportunities
NEXT DEADLINE IS MAY 16th
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The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering different grants to allow communities to create or update regional or local economic plans to promote recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Grants
Intermediary Needed: Human Services Capital Investment Grant Program
What: DCEO is seeking an organization to serve as an Intermediary to implement and administer this program. The Intermediary grantee must have the capacity to review applications, issue awards, and oversee capital grants to human services providers. The intermediary will be responsible for evaluating and selecting project applications, providing technical assistance, reviewing expenditures, disbursing grant funds, and overseeing these projects to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and program requirements.
Potential Applicants: Any organization that has demonstrated experience and capacity in administering construction grants.
How Much: The intermediary will be asked to manage at $15 million grant. Up to $1.5 million in administrative expenses may be incurred by the intermediary.
Deadline: May 16th, 2022
Apply: Information can be found HERE.
Connect Illinois Broadband Grant Program
What: Connect Illinois seeks to achieve ubiquitous broadband access for homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions. Applications should be classified under one of three categories: (a) Broadband Access for in unserved or underserved areas; (b) Broadband Innovation for economic development; or (c) Urban Broadband for expanded access and/or innovation in qualified Illinois cities. All Connect Illinois projects must include infrastructure expansion scalable to speeds of at least 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload upon deployment. Allowable costs include network design, project planning, equipment, construction, and deployment of middle mile and/or last mile infrastructure.
Potential Applicants: Businesses, nonprofits, cooperatives, school districts, and local governments. Proposals covering unserved and/or underserved areas are eligible for Connect Illinois grant funding.
How Much: $350 million total, maximum grant size of $10 million. Preference given for a 50% match, but it is not required for an application to be competitive.
Deadline: Rolling through 2024, or until funds are depleted
Apply: Information can be found HERE.
Federal Grants
Build to Scale
What: B2S strives to increase the capacities of regions to support innovations, entrepreneurs, and startups that are growing technology-driven businesses, creating high-skill, high-wage jobs, and building the industries of the future. This opportunity includes two separate programs: 1) the Venture Challenge; and 2) the Capital Challenge. The Venture Challenge is to serve companies challenging the status quo of established markets or commercializing technologies, as well as furthering job creation within their businesses. The Capital Challenge is for the formation of investment funds that seek to raise equity-based capital to deploy in startups.
Potential Applicants: Local governments. Nonprofits, institutions of higher education, EDOs, laboratories may apply if they are supported by a local government.
How Much: 1:1 match required. For the Venture Challenge: $750,000. For the Capital Challenge, funding comes at 2 levels – “Form” and “Deploy”. Form is up to $300,00, and Deploy is between $300,000 to $750,000.
Deadline: 6/13/2022
Apply: Information can be found HERE.
EDA Economic Development Research and National Technical Assistance Program
What: Grants under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. These grants seek to promote critical, cutting-edge research and best practices with practitioners in the economic development field. They also support a small number of projects that provide technical assistance at a national scope.
Potential Applicants: Local governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofits, individuals, or for-profit organizations.
How Much: $1.5 million
Deadline: Rolling
Apply: Information can be found HERE.
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City's Cash Assistance Program Now Open |
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The Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot is a $31.5 million dollar commitment from Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the City of Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services as part of an effort to tackle poverty and put residents at the center of the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 5,000 Chicagoans will be selected through an open application and a citywide lottery to receive $500 per month for twelve months, with no strings attached. That means that there are no limitations on how the money can be spent by recipients. The Mayor believes that people living with poverty simply do not have enough money to make ends meet. Cash assistance changes that circumstance and empowers residents to decide how to best meet their financial needs and goals.
Applications are now open, and close on Friday, May 13. Eligibility requirements and more information is available at chicago.gov/cashpilot.
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inQbate is a Loyola Limited venture devoted to helping small businesses, organizations, and startups in Chicago expand their reach and multiply their impact through strategic, data-driven marketing solutions.
Subsidized by the university and its other student-led businesses, inQbate is able to provide marketing services that are both affordable and effective. inQbate is available to serve businesses year-round.
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Trilogy Mental Health Services |
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Free Day at Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier |
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Chicago Children’s Museum and Navy Pier will be hosting a free fun-filled day of family activities and performances for children up to ten years old on Thursday, May 19. Admission to Chicago Children’s Museum will be free and there will be $10 discounted parking at Navy Pier with validation. |
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Mental Health Awareness Essay Contest |
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month! In honor of this month, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is holding an essay contest for teenagers aged 16-18 to promote communication about youth mental needs and reduce stigma for seeking mental health treatment. Winners could be eligible for a prize of $750. Submissions are due by May 24, 2022.
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The Simple Good Visual Arts Showcase with Eugene Field |
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Youth Employment Opportunities with One Summer Chicago |
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One Summer Chicago (OSC) 2022 will run from July 5 to August 12. OSC offers in-person job and life-skills training for youth ages 14 to 24. Young people can apply at OneSummerChicago.org until June 10.
One Summer Chicago provides thousands of young people the opportunity to receive hands-on experience in technology, healthcare, media, finance and more, with a range of private, public and nonprofit partners. 2022 OSC participants will earn $15 an hour within all Chicago Departments.
Also returning under the One Summer Chicago umbrella is the Chicagobility career exploration program for young people ages 14 and 15. Over the course of a 6-week period, young people will connect with public and private sector industries through project-based learning, workshops, and more. The opportunities will also provide a weekly stipend up to $450 for the duration of the summer, allowing young people to earn while they learn.
The Chicago Youth Service Corps (CYSC), a civic leadership program, is expanding from a six-week summer program to operate year-round. In 2021, young people addressed housing insecurity, social and economic inequities, and more.
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Eyes On The Future is Hiring |
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Eyes on The Future Child Development Center is seeking ECE teachers and assistants.Credentials of applicants include a BA, or AA or CDA in Child Development or Early Childhood Education and at least one year experience working with infants, toddlers or preschoolers. If you do not have a degree and are willing to obtain the credentials within 6-12 months it is okay to apply.
Eyes on the Future is also looking for interested community Board Members, experience in for-profit organizations, child care, law or community organizing.
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DCFS Virtual Employment Workshops |
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Chinese Mutual Aid Association is Hiring |
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Illinois State Police is Hiring |
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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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