Ever since the devastating news of the slaughter of 19 children and 2 teachers in a Uvalde, Texas classroom, I’ve tried to find words, knowing that I’d need to address it in this week’s newsletter. It’s almost 6:30 pm on Friday and I’m still at a loss. Like everyone I’ve talked to this week as I’ve made my way around the district, I’m sad, angry, frustrated, and honestly at a loss for what I can say or do to make this time different. Today, as I saw images and videos from the protest outside the NRA convention in Houston, I saw several folks sharing that sentiment…this time will be different. I want that to be true with every fiber of my being. And I’m having trouble convincing myself. I know it can be different. I know it absolutely has to be different. What we’ve been doing clearly hasn’t worked. Illinois’ gun laws aren’t terrible, and yet the lax laws in surrounding states and at the federal level have allowed illegal guns to flow into our community virtually unchecked. It’s easy to lose hope as a policymaker.
As a parent, I can’t afford to lose hope. I sent my 2 youngest kids off to school this week, knowing their school does everything it can to keep them safe in every possible way. Yet, after an online incident involving hateful language, we got an email last night promising unspecified increased security at today’s long rescheduled fall school festival. I regularly get public safety reports of incidents near my oldest son’s campus on the south side of the city. None of us are immune. Today, I looked back at an email I shared with constituents in 2019. I recounted a horrifying night when my son’s baseball game was called on account of gunfire in Loyola Park. Rereading it for the first time in years, I could feel the tightness in my gut that night, the tears I held back as I reassured my son and his teammates, the relief I felt to be home with him and his friends who's parents weren’t at the game. In that newsletter, I shared my feelings about my long efforts to work in concert with my colleagues who support gun rights, who have so often suggested that there's a middle ground to be found, but never manage to find a path to yes.
And honestly, as we sit here and wait for the final decision overturning Roe v. Wade, I’m struck by a contradiction from the very same people who declare that outlawing guns will not prevent people from getting guns. Yet they also firmly declare that outlawing abortion will not only eliminate abortion but also some of the more horrific ways that people become pregnant and in need of reproductive health care: Texas Governor Abbott famously declared that their law banning abortion didn’t need an exception for rape and incest because they’d just prosecute all rapists and eliminate rape. The hypocrisy is galling. And unsurprising.
I couldn’t share a simple recounting of the events of the week without sharing my personal feelings, so what follows will include data on mass shootings in the U.S. and what Illinois gun laws we have in place for those who want a summary.
The Uvalde mass shooting occurred just under two weeks after another tragedy where a gunman left 10 people dead at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York. Mass shootings as defined by the Gun Violence Archive are instances in which four or more people are shot (injured or killed) in a single incident, at the same general time and location, not including the shooter. The Gun Violence Archive was established back in 2013 as an independent research and data collection organization. This year alone they have tracked over 200 mass shootings and we are only in May. In 2021 the U.S. finished with 693 defined mass shootings. Many are starting to ask what is the current status of gun laws here in Illinois. I have broken down below the restriction we have currently on guns as well as what gun use is permitted:
Restrictions on gun ownership:
- Illinois requires a permit and background check to purchase firearms. The permitting system bans those with felony convictions, a recent history of mental illness, and those with orders of protection against them.
- Illinois has what's called the Firearm Owner's Identification Card (FOID). This card system is far from perfect as the state has to get better at tracking down those with revoked or expired permits. This card must be renewed every 10 years.
- Illinois does prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from carrying a firearm unless the teen is sponsored by an adult.
- Illinois has recently passed the banned ghost guns which I co-sponsored this past general assembly session. These weapons are untraceable since they are privately made and lack a serial number.
- Illinois law requires gun owners to notify law enforcement regarding the loss or theft of a firearm
What is permitted:
- It is legal to purchase an AR-15 in Illinois. A gun is commonly used in mass shootings. These assault rifles cause major carnage as we have seen.
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Howard Street Brewing Is Now Open |
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My Chief of Staff, Torrence Gardner, and I were excited to be at the opening day of Howard Street Brewing! It's especially a full circle moment for Torrence who began working to help this small business open while he was working in Rogers Park for Alderwoman Hadden. Brewer Chuck Patella has been trying to open up a brewery on Howard Street for years. Chuck showed true perseverance as it turned out to be more challenging than he expected. Please celebrate the victory with Chuck and have a beer at Howard Street Brewing located at 1617 W. Howard Street. This is Chicago's northernmost taproom. |
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Thank you to those who came out to join me at our first Drinks and Conversation event of the summer! We had the unique opportunity to discuss as an intimate group and, as always, I enjoyed getting to have in-person conversations with my constituents. |
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Our LIHEAP mobile office day was held this past Monday outside of Care For Real's food and clothing distribution center in Edgewater. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps assist families with energy costs. We decided to do a mobile office day in partnership with Care For Real as a way to effectively reach constituents for this critical state program. Many people were still unaware of this energy assistance program which ends May 31st so we felt the need to bring it to a place where people are already needing help with food and clothes. I must also thank the Chinese Mutual Aid Association for helping those sign-up for LIHEAP. Without their help, we would not have been able to have this mobile office day. For those still needing assistance with LIHEAP before May 31st please feel free to contact our office by either emailing repcassidy@gmail.com or calling 773-784-2002. You can also call the Chinese Mutual Aid Association directly at 773-784-2900 and ask to speak to Alan Wong. |
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Rogers Park Music & Arts Festival |
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The Rogers Park Music & Arts festival brings together thousands of people from surrounding communities to celebrate the ethnic diversity and bohemian art of the Rogers park neighborhood.
Date: July 8 from 5-10 pm & July 9 from 12-10 pm
Location: Corner of Sheridan Rd & Columbia Chicago, IL 60626
Fee: Free, donations appreciated
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Andersonville Midsummer Fest |
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Join us for Andersonville Midsummer Fest June 10th - June 11th. We will have a table from 10a-4p. Stop by and say hello! |
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A Just Harvest 5K For Community Wellness |
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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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As of this Friday, Chicago and the surrounding counties are now considered to be at a high-risk community level for COVID-19 transmissions At the high-risk 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. It is recommended now that all people wear masks in crowded indoor settings and to test immediately if showing symptoms or have been exposed. Please also stay up to date with your vaccines. Only 42 percent of eligible Chicagoans have received a booster shot.
The state continues to see a rise in cases. Illinois health officials reported 6,358 new COVID-19 cases just this past Thursday. There have been at least 3,280,718 total COVID cases as of Wednesday, including at least 33,798 related deaths in the state since the pandemic began.
May 27th Update:
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Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 IL residents in the past 7 days: 40.2
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New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 IL residents in the past 7 days: 108
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The percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by IL COVID-19 patients: 21%
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 27th:
Statewide Totals: 3,280,718 confirmed cases and 33,798 deaths
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 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
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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2022-23 ISBE Student Advisory Council Applications Due June 3rd |
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ISBE is currently accepting applications for the 2022-23 school year Student Advisory Council (SAC). Applications are available www.isbe.net/studentvoices and are due at 11:59 p.m. on June 3.
The Student Advisory Council (SAC) is a group of 21 students chosen from around the state to be student advisors to the Illinois State Board of Education. This group of students has the opportunity to see the State Board’s policymakers in action and work with them to provide student perspectives and concerns on the state’s education policies.
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After School Matters Spring 2022 Programs |
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Summer Camp at Swedish American Museum |
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Monday, June 27 - Friday, July 1, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Jelena is back this year to teach children about different cultures through art (not the same countries as last year). This camp is for ages 6 - 12.
Monday, July 25 - Friday, July 29, 9 a.m. - noon
New for this year! Explore what it was like for the children who immigrated to Chicago in the early 1900s through improvisation and games. We will also learn about Swedish culture. This camp is for ages 10 - 12.
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Chicago Police Department's Youth District Advisory Council |
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Nominate a Senior for This Year's Senior Hall of Fame |
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Is there an older adult in your life who has a history of helping and inspiring others? Nominate them for induction into the Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame!
The Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame was established by the General Assembly in 1994 to honor older adults’ accomplishments and contributions to their communities. Each year, four Illinoisans age 65 or older are inducted into the Hall of Fame for their work in community service, education, arts or the labor force.
Nominees must be:
- At least 65 years old
- A current Illinois resident or a former resident who lived in Illinois for the majority of their life.
Posthumous nominees will also be considered.
Illinois Department on Aging staff will thoroughly review all applications and ultimately submit no more than 44 finalists per category to the judges. The judges will select one winner in each category for induction into the 2022 Hall of Fame.
Illinois Department on Aging
Division of Community Relations and Outreach
One Natural Resources Way, #100
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Clark Devon Hardware is Hiring |
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Clark Devon Hardware is looking to fill a full time delivery driver. Areas covered will include downtown Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Requirements include a Non-CDL Class C license, clean driving record, professional and positive attitude, and strong attention to detail. Previous delivery driver experience preferred, but training will be provided. Starting pay is $18.00 per hour.
A driver's full-time schedule is Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the possibility of Saturday's 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Clark-Devon Hardware offers employee benefit packages include:
Part-time and Full-time benefits:
- Paid Sick Time
- Health Insurance (must work 30 or more hours per week)
- Retirement Plan
- Annual Discretionary Bonuses
Additional Full-time benefits:
- Paid Vacation Time
- Paid Holidays
- Overtime and overtime pay
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Compudopt is looking to hire part-time technology instructors. Compudopt's mission is to provide technology education and access to under-resourced youth in Chicago and Northern Illinois.
The position is a seasonal trainer for its educational programming for elementary, middle, and high school students. The role is anticipated to require up to 20 hours per week of instruction and will span afternoons, evenings, and weekends depending on partner requirements. Programming may be facilitated in-person or virtually depending on partner requirements.
The pay range is $20-$25/hour depending on experience and qualifications. To apply, email ashaki@compudopt.org and include your name, phone, email, resume, and two references.
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Free Healthcare English Language Classes |
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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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