|
We’re deep into the heart of session with today’s deadline to advance Senate bills out of committee. This was a four-day week, and even though we had a sense of urgency due to the deadline, there just weren’t a ton of bills that came over from the Senate, so it wasn’t as chaotic as a usual committee deadline week. I still had to prepare for hearings on the 3 Senate bills I picked up and I spent time working on my roll calls to make sure that I’m ready for floor action next week.
There was one unexpected item this week that caused some controversy and garnered attention. The House advanced a bill that was intended to be a “mini” elections package to move a few items while the Ethics and Elections Committee continues to work on a package of other issues. The bill did a few things:
- Placed three different non-binding referenda questions on the November ballot. This is significant as there is a limit of 3 questions on the ballot, so this means no other initiatives can qualify for the ballot. The non-binding referenda questions are designed to measure support for:
- A potential “millionaire tax” with proceeds dedicated to property tax relief
- Requiring insurance plans to cover all reproductive care including IVF (I raised concerns about this as it’s worded in such a way that people could be led to believe that it means we do not currently provide coverage, albeit with some practical limitations)
- Election worker protections
- Made a change to a longstanding practice of allowing parties to slate or appoint a candidate to run in the General Election if nobody from that party was on the ballot in the primary.
We received a briefing on the bill in the House Democratic Caucus on Tuesday. At that time, I shared my concern about the wording of the IVF question but focused my discussion on the ballot access issue. The argument for making this change is that it is used strategically by parties to get candidates on the ballot without the fight and expense of a primary and they shouldn’t be able to circumvent the process in that way. As someone who has long fought to open up our ballot access process, I find this argument difficult to swallow when taken in the broader context of our ballot access laws, which are chock full of trap doors and tripwires designed to provide election attorneys multiple opportunities to remove a candidate from the ballot, usually to allow an incumbent to avoid facing a challenger. In a world where we are making a sincere effort to reform our ballot access process, this would make sense. However, changing the rules in the middle of the game to prevent challengers from making the ballot is not going to make our democracy stronger or help restore faith in elected officials and our elections. Late Wednesday afternoon, SB2412 was quickly presented and passed, with the Republican caucus taking a protest vote of “Present” and just four members of the House voting No, while several others skipped the vote either as a protest or because we were caught by surprise by the bill coming up when it did and members may have been off the floor.
I voted no, feeling strongly that our role should be focused on uplifting democracy, encouraging engagement, and restoring trust in our electoral systems, not pulling last-minute rabbits out of our hats to avoid facing opponents. The bill was quickly passed by the Senate and was signed by the Governor this morning. It has an immediate effective date.
I am looking forward to returning to a tradition that we’ve not observed since before the pandemic, helping to host our annual “Cubs Caucus” watch party on Tuesday evening after the session. One item on my to-do list this weekend is heading to Romanian Kosher and buying a ton of hot dogs and polish so everyone in Springfield can know what 14th district residents have known for ages: we have the best hot dogs on the planet right here in Rogers Park!
I’m on the road headed home (as a passenger, don’t worry) for a quick couple of days back in the district, where I hope to get at least a couple of hours in the garden to get it ready. We return to session on Monday, with the remaining weeks of the session being 5-day weeks with the session scheduled to continue over the weekend of the 18th leading up to our target adjournment date of May 24th. The schedule does allow for us to continue to work through the end of May if we have not completed the budget, so we’ll be keeping that part of the schedule clear just in case.
To better organize the newsletter you will notice we have broken down events by neighborhood. As the summer months approach we plan to see amazing local events and wish to provide as much clarity regarding their details as possible.
| |
First Response Alternative Crisis Team (FACT) Shoutout | |
|
Inspired by an article initially published in blockclubchicago, we want to shout a team that has been doing great work in our district. Trilogy's First Response Alternative Crisis Team (FACT) has been assisting in handling mental health emergencies that have been called in by dialing 988 rather than 911. The team has managed to greatly offload mental health crisis calls that would have normally gone to police. The 24-hour mobile crisis team resolves 94 percent of calls without police intervention.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, you can contact FACT by dialing 800-322-8400. To learn more about Trilogy and the FACT hotline, click HERE. To read the block club article about the team, click HERE.
| |
Jayden Perkins Memorial Scholarship: Theater Night | |
Gus Legacy Foundation invites you to Gus Legacy Foundation Theater Night Benefit on Thursday, May 16. Performance by Gus Legacy Company and GUS Company dancers plus Auction, Live Raffle, Photo Booth, Candy & Popcorn. All proceeds will benefit Jayden Perkins Memorial Scholarships. Jayden was a talented dancer, straight-A student, and active member of his school theater club and football team. Jayden Perkins Memorial Scholarships will be awarded every year to the dancer that embodies Jayden’s love for all, work ethic, positivity, joy, encouragement and talent. Click here for tickets | |
Artists of the Wall: Community Dreams | |
|
Registration for the Artists of the Wall Festival has begun! The festival is taking place June 15-16 at Pratt Beach and the theme this year is "Community Dreams".
Registration will take place online at this link. 150 Spaces will be released as follows:
May 1st: 8:00am 50 spaces to paint
May 3rd: 8:00am 50 spaces to paint
May 5th: 8:00am- 5:00pm (Lottery)
We will be conducting our first-ever lottery of spaces on the third day to ensure fair access to the festival. We’ll open the lottery from 9AM-5PM on May 5. Only one lottery entry will be allowed per family. Fifty participants will be chosen and notified that they have been selected and will need to pay within 48 hours of receipt of their notification. After the 48 hours is up, we’ll head to the next entries. Walk up spaces are likely to be available
Registration costs are $35 per spot and $8 for paint.
SPONSOR - Join us as a sponsor before May 15 to be on promotional materials. Information here.
| |
R Public House: Kentucky Derby | |
|
Calling all garden enthusiasts and fashionistas! Join R Public House for a blooming good time at their RPH Kentucky Derby Hat Contest, where they are celebrating in style with a Garden Party theme!
Craft your most enchanting and whimsical hat creations inspired by the beauty of the garden. Let your imagination run wild with floral accents, butterfly embellishments, and perhaps even a touch of fairy magic!
Sip on delightful drink specials and savor delicious bites as you marvel at the garden-inspired masterpieces on display. And don't forget to cast your vote for the hat that captures your heart – the winner will be crowned with a $25 gift card!
Saturday May 4th, 3:00pm-8:00pm at R Public House 1508 West Jarvis Avenue
| |
Pottawattomie Park Spring Plant Sale | |
The Spring Plant sale is back at Pottawattomie Park 7340 N. Rogers Ave. The plant sale will be the Saturday before Mother’s Day Weekend Saturday May 4th from 11:00a - 2:00p. There will be annuals, perennials and houseplants available. Proceeds will benefit landscape improvements at Pottawattomie Park and youth programming. Please bring cash and if you have plant cuttings or divisions to share bring those too. | |
Free Comic Book Day at Third Coast Comics | |
|
Third Coast Comics ( 6443 N. Sheridan Rd) is having a free comic book day event on Saturday, May 4 from 11am-4pm. Third Coast Comics will have a huge selection of comics that are FREE to comic shop visitors but get here as early as you can because these comics never last long!
For more information, visit the following LINK.
| |
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.
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.
| |
 | |
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today 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 to Bryn Mawr stations under new Red and Purple Line tracks being constructed as 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 as part of the RPM project, creating a unique opportunity to provide the Uptown and Edgewater neighborhoods new, open space underneath Red and Purple Line tracks between W Lawrence and W Ardmore avenues.
CTA has partnered with Site Design Group, a Chicago-based, nationally award-winning landscape architecture, urban design and architecture firm to guide the development of a block-by-block plan to activate new community space under the CTA tracks. Following the first set of public meetings earlier this year, which solicited feedback from the residents in the area, CTA and Site Design will present the preliminary designs and concepts to the community at public meetings on May 22 and 23, 2024.
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
Register in advance here.
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.
Register in advance here.
| |
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.
| |
The Andersonville Farmers Market | |
The Andersonville Farmers Market, celebrating its 15th 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. | |
|
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.
| |
Andersonville Wine Walk Tickets on Sale | |
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. | |
One Summer Chicago Now Accepting Applications | |
|
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) have launched the One Summer Chicago (OSC) application portal. OSC aims to connect an additional 4,000 young people to jobs this summer.
Access the portal at OneSummerChicago.org
| |
Chicago Park District Summer Jobs | |
Join the 48th ward team this summer - apply to our Summer Events Internship. The Summer Events Intern will be responsible for coordinating the ward booth at events, ensuring that our office is visible and accessible to the community. Responsibilities will include recruiting volunteers, speaking with neighbors at events, and using the city's 311 service to report and follow up on service requests. Learn more about responsibilities and requirements for the role here. Submit a cover letter and resume to apply@the48thward.org by Friday, May 1. | |
|
Sincerely,
Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District
Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy
1507 W. Morse Ave
Chicago IL 60626
| |
|
773-784-2002 (phone)
Info@repcassidy.com
| |  |
| | | |
