Safely Enjoy Illinois Nature During the Pandemic
By Jen Walling, Executive Director, Illinois Environmental Council

During the pandemic, enjoying nature is a great way to promote mental and physical health, as long as it is done with caution. With vacations canceled and air travel risky, enjoying the natural areas that Illinois has to offer is a great way to spend the summer.  

-Of course, be sure to wear a mask, stay six feet away from people, and be cautious about washing your hands after touching anything.  Check out this webinar for more tips to stay safe.

-Also, be sure to treat natural spaces with care as well. Don’t litter, stay on trails, leave wildlife - both plants and animals - alone, and be sure to leash your dog or leave your dog home depending on the rules of the natural area. Take only photographs - and here’s a webinar on how to take great pictures of pollinators and other fast moving wildlife.

-Starved Rock and nearby Matthiessen State Park have been overwhelmed with visitors; if you’re planning a trip there, be sure to check out crowd information as those parks will close when they are full. There are so many other beautiful places to enjoy in Illinois. Here are a few recommendations that I have to enjoy Illinois’ beauty.

-Review Openlands’ list of outdoor opportunities in the Chicago region.  From land trusts to rivers to the Cook County Forest Preserve District, it’d be hard work to check off all 300 properties. 

-Illinois State Parks and natural areas are an important function of Illinois State Government and we’re so proud of Rep. Cassidy for helping to keep them funded.  My organization is selling this Illinois State Park check off map so you can keep track of your visits.

While these resources will give you some good information, here are some places that I personally love.
  1. Nachusa Grasslands is a 3800 acre site that includes remnant prairie, grasslands, and bison! It is a privately operated site with The Nature Conservancy, but Franklin Creek State Natural Area, owned by IDNR is less than 20 minutes away. This site is only about 90 minutes from Chicago.
  2. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie - Another site with bison (Check out the bison livecam here). This site is operated by the US Forest Service and used to be the Joliet Army Arsenal. It’s also only about 90 minutes from Chicago.
  3. Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge - This is a series of sites, the majority in McHenry County, that goes into Wisconsin. Glacial Park Natural Area is a great place to start.
  4. While the Rogers Park and Edgewater lakefronts are great, other great places to see Lake Michigan include Illinois Beach State Park and the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve.
  5. If you’re open to going a little further out, I’ve blogged here about my favorite nature areas in the metro east and Shawnee area in Southern Illinois, which is a 5-6 hour drive from Chicago. Another fantastic 3-4 hour trip is the drive out to Galena, Illinois, which has numerous sites to visit, including my favorite - Apple River Canyon State Park - and also Piasa Palisades State Park.

Hope you enjoy your travels!
COVID-19 Count as of Monday July 13:
883 new COVID cases, 6 additional 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
R3 Tele-Townhall: Today at 2 pm
Earlier this year the first recreational sales of cannabis started and the Restore, Reinvest, Renew, (R3) Program was launched to redirect revenue from sales to communities most impacted by mass incarceration, violence and disinvestment. Join us at 2pm CST to discuss details on the program.

Panelists and speakers include:
  • Representative Kelly Cassidy
  • Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton
  • Representative Carol Ammons
  • State Senator Christopher Belt
  • Justice, Equity, & Opportunity Initiative Director Quinn Rallins
  • Representative Emanuel "Chris" Welch
  • State Senator Celina Villanueva

RSVP for a seat here .
R3 Grant Application Reviewers: Volunteers Needed
Would you like to play a key role in decisions to empower and support people in neighborhoods harmed by violence, excessive incarceration, and economic disinvestment? ICJIA is seeking reviewers for R3 grant applications. Reviewers must come from  R3 zones  and have work and/or lived experience within the R3 priority areas.

Interested volunteers may sign up here .
IDHS Employment Webinar
The Illinois Department of Human Services is hosting a virtual recruitment event on Wednesday 7/15 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

The webinar will help guide you through the employment process and benefits of working for IDHS in addition to tips on how to complete the CMS100 application. You must register prior to participating. For additional recruiting events or for more information please click here .
Chicago Public Schools Survey: Student Needs
Chicago Public Schools has partnered with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Lurie Children's Hospital to conduct a family survey that will help us understand the physical, mental, and emotional impact of COVID-19. This feedback is vital as CPS prepares for the next school year in the fall.

Please complete this family survey to ensure that mental, physical, and emotional needs of students are supported this upcoming academic year.

Es importante obtener sus comentarios mientras planeamos el regreso a escuelas. Rellene nuestra encuesta familiar para que podamos atender las necesidades mentales, físicas y emocionales de todos. Comparta esta encuesta con los demás.
Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District

Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

5533 N Broadway

Chicago IL 60640
773-784-2002(phone)
773-784-2060(fax)