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Another full week in the books. I didn’t get around to writing this for our usual Friday deadline, so I’m up early enjoying the quiet of the house before an equally busy weekend begins. I’m excited to join with neighbors this morning at Willye White Park for Alderwoman Maria Hadden’s community softball game at 11. I’ve never been much of a ball player, but seeing the broad array of experience and skill at the last game, I might have to give it a go.
On Tuesday, I joined with several colleagues from both sides of the aisle for a tour of Pontiac Prison. The facility is one of the oldest in our system, and like many of our facilities has a lot of deferred maintenance issues. While we haven’t had the extreme heat that southern states have, having read about the impact the heat was having on folks in those prisons, I was interested to hear how IDOC addresses extreme heat. None of the housing units are air conditioned, and even on a relatively mild day, it was pretty uncomfortable in most of the buildings even with fans running. The warden shared that incarcerated people at Pontiac and other facilities are given extra bottled water and fans, which does contrast with reports out of Texas that said facilities were charging even more for water than the usual inflated commissary prices. Pontiac currently houses about 600 people with classifications from maximum security to medical and behavioral health units, although it’s built to house many more. Staffing has also been an issue and the warden spoke about recruitment efforts within the community. Honestly, even having worked in a jail, whenever I’m in a facility and see the conditions folks live under, I can’t help but think about my family members who have been incarcerated and recall their stories and the stories of young family members who remember the visiting rooms and spending all day waiting for a short visit.
One of my colleagues who is in his first term and sits on the Public Safety Appropriations Committee shared that IDOC reported over 2 billion dollars in deferred maintenance needs during the budget process. Curious what that might look like, he has spent this summer touring as many facilities as he can. I think he said Pontiac was his 7th. If and when we make these investments, we need to do so thoughtfully. Most of these buildings were either never designed to be prisons or were designed in a way that doesn’t reflect what we now know to be best practices in corrections. And none of them are designed in a way that acknowledges the humanity of the people being held in them. With shrinking and aging prison populations, we need to reimagine these facilities rather than continuing to try and patchwork our way through the issues of aging infrastructure.
Having started the day really early to get to Pontiac, I honestly was questioning my decision to join The Illinois Environmental Council and colleagues from the House and Senate as well as Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison for a Full Moon Walk at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Preserve in Willow Springs. Designated as the world’s largest Urban Dark Sky Place, the full moon walk was a cool opportunity to walk the trails lit only by the moon. It was well worth the really long day! The facility does night programming to educate the public about the importance of dark skies for wildlife and if you can get out there for one of these programs, I encourage you to check it out. The next one is a dark sky walk where the new moon gives us the darkest night of the month. The Chicago Astronomical Society participates with large telescopes to help folks explore the stars and planets made visible by the lack of natural and artificial light.
I was pleased to join with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Rep. Hoan Huynh (13th district), and Alderwomen Leni Maana-Hoppenworth (48) and Angela Clay (46) for an announcement of federal funding to support a mobile response unit for the domestic violence agency Apna Ghar, an incredible resource in the Uptown area that serves the entire region. The agency has been providing comprehensive, culturally competent services primarily to immigrant, refugee, and marginalized communities for over 30 years.
Further down in the newsletter, don’t miss our school supply drive flyer. It feels like the need is greater than ever this year, based on the calls we’re getting from schools and community groups asking to be included in our distribution. Our community always steps up when folks are in need, so I have faith that we’ll collect enough supplies to meet the demand.
I’ll be taking next week off for a break with Candace and the boys before we start operation twin launch later this month. The team is ready to hold down the fort, never fear. Speaking of the team, we’re looking for a part time constituent services advocate, so if you know of someone perfect for #Team14, let us know! The job description is below.
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Our office is collecting school supplies for CPS students. A list of desired school supplies can be found here. School supply donations can be made at the three following locations:
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District Office (1507 W. Morse) Tues-Thurs 9am-5pm
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Women & Children First (5233 N. Clark) Tues-Sun 11am-6pm
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R Public House (1508 W. Jarvis) Mon-Thurs 3pm-10pm; Friday 3pm-12am; Saturday & Sunday 10am-12am
School Supply List: https://bit.ly/CPSList24
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Seeking Part-Time Constituent Advocate | |
The District Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy is seeking an energetic, organized and policy minded part-timer in our Chicago District office. We are looking for a flexible individual who can interact in a fast-paced environment. For more information click here to read the job description. | |
Secretary Giannoulias' Launches Skip the Line Program | |
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Secretary Giannoulias Announces Skip-the-Line Program at High-Volume DMVs
Appointments and new extended hours are part of the new initiative to save customers’ time.
In an effort to improve customer service and eliminate the unpredictability of wait times at Illinois DMVs, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will implement the Skip-the-Line program on September 1.
- Required appointments will reduce wait times.
- Extended hours offer more availability.
- ILSOS.gov offers a variety of services that do not require an in-person visit to a facility or office.
The Skip-the-Line Program includes:
Appointment scheduling — Customers will be required to make appointments for in-person visits at 44 of the busiest DMVs. All Chicago and suburban locations and select central and downstate DMVs will require an appointment for REAL IDs, driver’s licenses and ID card services, and in-car driving tests.
New extended hours of operation — Every DMV will extend hours of operation beginning September 1.
Select facilities will be open six days a week – Monday through Saturday.
All DMVs will have hours of operation from Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
16 DMVs will be open on Saturday, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
(Please visit ilsos.gov for location information.)
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Medicaid Redetermination Aid Events | |
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Medicaid members have not had to renew their Medicaid coverage since the COVID-19 pandemic began. With the end of the COVID-19 public health emergencies, Medicaid members will now have to renew their coverage between May 2023 and April 2024, depending on their redetermination date.
To help eligible members stay covered, CountyCare and CCH are hosting redetermination events to help individuals complete their paperwork. If you have any questions, call 312-864-7333.
You can find more details about redetermination, support events, as well as provider and patient resources in multiple languages here: Medicaid Redetermination Information.
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Treasurer Frerichs Launches Illinois First Steps to Help Parents Start Saving for College | |
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Treasurer Frerichs announced the launch of Illinois First Steps, the Illinois Children's Savings Account (CSA) Program designed to jump start college savings for new parents. The program, which was approved by the General Assembly in 2019 and funded in 2023, provides a $50 seed deposit to all Illinois parents with a child born or adopted on or after January 1, 2023.
To qualify for the $50 seed deposit, parents or legal guardians must be Illinois residents at the time of birth or adoption, the child must be born or adopted on or after January 1, 2023, and the parent must open an Illinois Bright Star or Bright Directions 529 College Savings Account to claim the seed deposit before the child's 10th birthday.
For more information, visit Illinois First Steps.
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Sip-&-Savor Coming to Edgewater | |
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Sip & Savor will open at 1070 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. this month, CEO Trez V. Pugh III announced on Instagram.
The space, recently vacated by Starbucks, is the first North Side location for Sip & Savor, which has four locations on the South Side and one in suburban Forest Park. Work on the location is ongoing, but we are excited to welcome another wonderful cafe to our neighborhood!
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CPS is hosting a Rogers Park Back-to-School Bash on August 11th from 10AM-2PM. This is a great opportunity to connect with your student's schools, learn more about the upcoming school year, access important services, stock up on school supplies, and meet other families! The Back-to-School Bash in Rogers Park will be held at Field Elementary School (7019 N Ashland Blvd).
For more information, click here.
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Ald. Hadden Back to School Bash Event | |
Join the 24th District Community Policing Office and Alderwoman Hadden's office for a Back to School Event where community members can obtain free backpacks and other school supplies! There will also be fun activities for kids, free food, and many organizations & sponsors sharing resources. Join us at Touhy Park (7348 N. Paulina) on August 12th from 11AM-1PM. | |
Back-to-School Birth Certificates | |
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With the first day of school fast approaching, the Cook County Clerk’s Office will be offering extended weekend hours on select Saturdays in August for families seeking to obtain birth certificates to complete their child’s registration for school, sports, extracurricular activities, etc.
Our Back-to-School Birth Certificate Days will take place on Saturday, August 5, and Saturday, August 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Clerk’s Office locations in Markham, Maywood, and downtown Chicago.
Chicago's office hours will be at 118 N. Clark St., Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602. For more information, please click here.
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22nd Annual Glenwood Ave Arts Fest | |
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Come out to the 22nd annual Glenwood Ave. Arts Fest on Saturday, August 19th from 11AM-9PM and Sunday, August 20th from 11AM-7PM. Located at 6900 N/1400 W blocks, entry is free. The festival features over 130 artists, 2 stages, 24 bands, and plenty of local food and drink.
For more information, click here.
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Join the community at Jarvis Square for the second annual Pierogi Fiesta! Come to enjoy live music, margaritas, and a Pierogi Toss in support of A Just Harvest.
When: Saturday, August 5th at 3pm
Where: Jarvis Square (East of the Jarvis Redline)
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When: August 9th 5-8pm
Where: 5344 N. Clark
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Tickets are now on sale for the annual Taste of Andersonville! Two routes are available for attendees to sample different small plates and drinks from a variety of local restaurants, cafes, and more. Tickets are $40 in advance for single routes and $75 in advance for both routes. Tickets will increase in price on August 1st.
More information, including the participating locations, can be found here.
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Chicagoland talent will be performing all month long in the beautiful parlor of the historic Colvin House, located at 5940 N. Sheridan Road.
Tuesday, August 8th: Marlene & Co.
While RSVP is free, there is a suggested donation that goes toward paying the musicians and staff for their efforts in producing these community concerts.
For more information, click here.
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Midsommer Flight Free Shakespeare Showing | |
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Since 2012, Midsommer Flight has been producing high-quality, accessible performances of Shakespeare’s plays in Chicago’s Parks with diverse casts and crews for free. They are entirely grant and donation-funded and work in partnership with the Parks District as part of the ‘Mayor’s Night Out in the Parks’ program.
They are proud to return to Touhy Park August 11-13 this year with ‘Cymbeline’ to close out our season!
Please join Midsommer Flight at this free showing of Cymbeline in Touhy Park (7348 N. Paulina) at 6PM on August 11th and 12th, and at 2PM on August 13th.
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Congresswoman Schakowsky's Weekly Neighborhood Office Hours | |
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Congresswoman Schakowsky's office will be hosting weekly neighborhood office hours to help connect 9th District constituents with a variety of federal government resources. The office hours will take place every Friday, from 10 am to 2 pm, in the Betty A. Barclay Community Room at the Edgewater Library, 6000 N. Broadway.
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CTO $5,000 Scholarship Opportunity | |
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Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin and the Chicago Treasurer’s Office (CTO) will award first-ever Empowerment Scholarships to first-year students entering a two or four-year accredited institution in the fall of 2023. The one-time, $5,000 award will be presented to students residing in Chicago during the CTO’s “Financial Youth Symposium and Step Show” program at Chicago State University on August 31.
The Empowerment Scholarship is the first being awarded to Chicago students as part of the CTO’s 2023-2024 college scholarship program sponsored by community partners BMO, Discover, and Providence Bank & Trust. To be eligible for the $5,000 award, which can be used to pay for any education-related expenses, a student must be enrolled in an institution of higher learning in the fall of 2023 and submit a completed application, including an essay, high school transcripts and other materials, to monique.cook-bey@cityofchicago.org by 11:59 pm on Sunday, August 6.
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DFSS Community Services Block Grant | |
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The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is now accepting applications for their 2023 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Scholarship Program.
The CSBG scholarship program provides financial assistance to Chicago residents attending post-secondary education programs during the fall semester of 2023 and has minimum income requirements to meet the eligibility criteria. DFSS is dedicated and committed to making resources available to residents that build stability, support their well-being, and empower them to thrive.
Applications must be received by DFSS via the web-based CSBG Scholarship Application Platform on Friday, August 25, 2023, by 5:00 p.m.
Please click here to access the application platform.
Additionally, DFSS will host webinars on August 2nd and August 9th at 10:00 a.m to relay more information on the scholarship. To register for a webinar, applicants should email their choice of date and time to: DFSScsbgscholarship@cityofchicago.org.
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Edgewater Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Position | |
The Edgewater Chamber of Commerce is looking for a strategic and entrepreneurial leader to work with the Board of Directors to implement their mission to create and support a thriving business environment, contributing to a vibrant Edgewater community. Applications are due on Friday, August 11, 2023. For more information, click here. | |
Chicago Public Schools is Hiring! | |
Chicago Public Schools is hiring for multiple positions, including lunchroom managers, city wide bus monitors, board custodians, cooks, bus aides, and more. Please click here or scan one of the above QR codes for more information. | |
Northwestern Medicine Jobs | |
The Northwestern Medical team is looking to hire several key positions. Urgent positions include: Certified Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist, Pharmacy Technician, Licensed Practical Nurse, and Registered Nurse. The following are the most requested and popular Northwestern Medicine entry/intermediate level roles: Material Service Coordinator, Patient Access Specialist, Patient Escort, and Patient Service Representative. For more information and to see all openings, please visit jobs.nm.org. | |
CTA's Second Chance Program | |
The CTA's Second Chance is hiring! If interested, complete a survey of interest at https://transitchicago.questionpro.com/CTASecondChanceProgram. All job seekers who complete a Second Chance Program interest survey and meet eligibility requirements will then be invited to attend a direct recruitment event. | |
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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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