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While we are still getting everything put together, both of our new offices are coming together nicely. We’ll be up and running in Chicago and Springfield soon and will host an open house at the district office probably next month after we get the finishing touches taken care of.
With the 103rd General Assembly getting underway, we expect to hold some of our first committee hearings next week. While we are still awaiting bill drafts in anticipation of the 2/17/23 bill introduction deadline, we are getting going with what is back from drafting. This week, I plan to advance HB1591, which cleans up outdated language in our marriage laws that could have unintended consequences in a post-Dobbs world if states start to prohibit certain marriages. The Dobbs decision specifically noted the two landmark decisions legalizing interracial marriage and same-sex marriage as being vulnerable, so it’s important that we take steps to protect people who could be impacted by the decision just as we did in the reproductive health space.
We will also have the first meeting of the Restorative Justice Committee, where we will hear from Rep. Will Guzzardi on his bill to change the makeup of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Board to require that 3 of the 6 members of the public that are appointed to the Board be people who have been previously incarcerated. This is the group that makes decisions about how the state allocates criminal justice grant funds, so having folks with lived experience helping to direct these funds will help ensure we’re funding programs that will reach the people we intend to help will be an improvement.
Finally, we’re watching a case in Texas that can have a huge impact on access to the medications used in the majority of abortions being performed today. We expect that the court will rule later this month on a challenge to the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the drug mifepristone for abortions 23 years ago. Medication abortion is incredibly safe and effective, so any decision to eliminate access will have sweeping repercussions. We are working closely with our national partners to determine what steps we can take to address any negative impact and will add more information as it becomes available. Our very own Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined with a coalition of Attorneys General across the country in an amicus brief in the case arguing that eliminating access to medication abortion will endanger lives.
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New Office Location Update | |
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With the start of the new 103rd General Assembly this month, our team is also making a fresh start with a new office! While the space we’ve shared with the 48th ward, 9th Congressional District, 10th County Board District, and 7th Senate district has been our home since long before I took office, our new space on Morse Avenue will allow us to work more efficiently and safely while conserving resources.
We’re excited to announce that our new space at 1507 W. Morse Avenue will be shared with our newly elected 13th District County Commissioner Josina Morita and will give our constituents a more effective space to seek assistance or services. We’re just down the block from Alderwoman Hadden’s office and will continue to conduct constituent outreach and service events with our former office mates on Broadway!
We are not currently open to the public at the Morse office. We expect to be up and running in the new office by February 14th. Any changes will be posted on our social media and at repcassidy.com. Please continue to email us at repcassidy@gmail.com.
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In August I was thrilled to join Edgewater Chamber of Commerce for a new store opening at DMApothecary 5230 N. Sheridan Rd which is co-owned by Deidre Monique Austin and her 20-year-old son, Matthew. The store specializes in all-natural skincare and cosmetics that are a true work of art. In addition, Matthew puts his talent into making graphic t-shirts and other artistic items that are on sale in store as well. Sadly on December 28 a water pipe burst due to sub zero temps and caused flooding into neighboring storefronts. Right now they are unable to be open for business and are in the process of rebuilding. They’ve started a GoFund me to help cover the cost of the damages and rent since they’re unable to be open. Look for them this weekend at the Winter Bryn Mawrkets at 1052 W. Bryn Mawr. | |
World's Largest Pizza Party | |
Roger's Park very own Tony Troiano the owner of J.B. Albertos just helped throw the worlds largest Pizza Party beating the world record and helping kids in need. He helped raise almost 42,000 for A Make a Wish Foundation, while teaming up with International Experts to break the record for the World's Largest Pizza Party. Read more here. | |
Celebrate Black History Month | |
Ida B. Wells was an American investigative journalist, educator and was an early leader in the civil right movement. She was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Ida dedicated her life to combating prejudice and violence and the fight for African-American Equality especially for black women. She was born into slavery in Mississippi; she was freed by the Emancipation Proclamation during the American Civil War. She later moved to Memphis Tennessee and co-owned the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight newspaper. Her move to Chicago was the result of the continued harassment that she faced while documenting lynching in the United States. She continued her work in writing, speaking and organizing for civil rights and the women’s movement for the rest of her life. In 2020 she was posthumously honored with a Pulitzer Prize special citation. | |
The grand finale-- A Valentine's Day Pop-up to wrap up the Winter Bryn Mawrkets. Shop from 12 different makers, artists and vendors inside 1052 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. There will be clothing, sweet treats, body care, jewelry and art. You'll definitely find a gift or two for your loved ones, and maybe even yourself. On Saturday, there will be a Sip 'N Shop hosted by Kombucha Brava from 1-5pm. Come help the community celebrate the last weekend of the Winter Bryn Mawrkets season! | |
Edgewater Community Tree Planting | |
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Join community members, the Edgewater Environmental Coalition, Openlands TreeKeepers and Staff while we plant trees on the parkways of the Edgewater neighborhood! Request a tree now, deadline to submit by 2/28, plus volunteer for tree planting in April!
For tree requests, priority will be given to locations North of Hollywood, East of Clark, and south of Devon.
Request and Care for a Tree here here!
RSVP to Volunteer for the Tree Planting here!
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Whether you saved seeds, have leftover new or used seed packets, or are looking for seeds, the Seed Swap is the place to be! Bring any native, rain garden, vegetable, fruit, and herb seeds to share and trade with others! You never know what you’ll find – gardeners are generous people, after all. This event is FREE, and open to the public. Everyone welcome! Another great thing about this event? No need to be a gardener to participate. Plus, MWRD Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos will be giving away free Milkweed seeds, part of the Save the Monarchs program.
View full event information and RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seed-swap-giveaway-tickets-530588403197
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Howard Street Makers Studio | |
Howard Street Makers Studio provides a safe space for creativity and healing. Everyone is welcome to join during open studios where participants can explore different types of art mediums. Howard Street Makers Studio is located at 1609 W. Howard St. Dates and times are subject to change, please check the calendar to verify dates and times. |
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The Clark/Ridge TIF district will open the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) applications beginning on February 1. SBIF promotes economic development by providing small businesses with reimbursable grants for permanent building improvement costs (interior or exterior) for businesses and commercial properties located in the TIF district. Residential projects are not eligible for the SBIF program, and residential developers should not apply.
Program participants can receive grants for 30-90% of project costs, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grants are administered by SomerCor on the City's behalf and do not have to be repaid.
The Department of Development and Planning will host an informational webinar on February 1 at 1 1 PM. Click here to register to attend. To view recordings of previous webinars, click here.
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Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Scholarship | |
DCFS 2023 Scholarship Program | |
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is currently accepting applications for the 2023 DCFS Scholarship Program. Through the program, a minimum of 53 academic scholarships will be awarded to current and former youth in care for the upcoming school year, with four awards reserved for the children of veterans. Scholarship recipients receive up to five consecutive years of tuition and academic fee waivers to be used at participating Illinois state community colleges and public universities, a monthly grant of $1,506 to offset other expenses and a medical card. On average, the department receives 200 application packets each year, and has awarded over 1,500 scholarships since the program began in 1971. | |
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Friday, February 10th Update:
- Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 IL residents: 79.6
- Daily new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 IL residents 80
- Percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by IL COVID-19 patients: 19%
- Statewide Totals: 4,040,139 confirmed cases and 36,229 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
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Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0 | |
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The application for the Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0 is now open. Domestic workers and residents who have undocumented immigration status could be eligible to receive a one-time $500 payment from Chicago as part of the city’s coronavirus pandemic relief efforts.
The city’s Department of Family and Support Services is accepting applications for the Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0, which will provide an estimated 17,000 residents who identify as domestic workers and undocumented immigrants with the one-time $500 payment, according to a news release. The payments are part of the federal funds the city received from the American Rescue Plan Act aimed at helping residents during the coronavirus pandemic.
To be eligible, residents must be 18 years or older, live in Chicago and have a total household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. For a single person, that means having an income of up to $43,740. A family of three must have an income of no more than $74,580.
Applications in Spanish and English can be filled out at www.chicash.org. Residents will be asked to submit documents related to verifying identity, proof of current Chicago residency and household income, according to the city’s website.
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Winter Programs with Chicago Park District | |
Registration is open for Chicago Park District's 2023 winter programs. The Chicago Park District offers an extensive array of programs for all ages this winter. You'll find a variety of in-person programming options along with its popular virtual programs. Browse available openings and register here. | |
Chicago Methodist Senior Services | |
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Sincerely,
Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District
Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy
1507 W. Morse Ave
Chicago IL 60626
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773 - 784 - 2002 (phone)
repcassidy@gmail.com
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