My calendar tells me that today is Women’s Equality Day. Women's Equality Day is celebrated on this day as a way to commemorate the 1920 adoption of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The 19th amendment prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right to vote based on sex. While I’ve always marked this day, the reality of the inequality experienced by so many every day has never been lost on me. My whole career has been dedicated to attacking these inequities and injustices, whether seeking civil rights protections and marriage equality for our LGBTQ family, confronting systemic racism in our criminal justice system and seeking true public safety through smarter criminal justice policies, or the ongoing work to seek true equality for women, including protecting our right to choose, the principles of equality and equity inform our team’s work every day.

On this Women’s Equality Day, I spent the day arguing in support of greater access to justice for incarcerated people, learning from researchers and abortion providers about how data is collected and stored, planning for the next meeting of the Dobbs Decision Working Group, and catching up with the team who had the fun task of distributing the rest of the backpacks and school supplies for our most in need schools and families from the most successful school supply drive we’ve ever had. Y’all just blow me away with your open-hearted support of our neighbors. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

This week also brought more news on the reproductive rights front with action in a few more states. We have been tracking the changes as fast as we can keep up with them on our Reproductive Health page of our website, so check back regularly to stay up to date on our work and the progress of other states in the space as well. We’ve had incredibly productive information-gathering sessions in our work group and will continue to hear from impacted groups and individuals as we continue our work and begin the drafting process. Governor Pritzker has made clear these working groups in both the House and Senate are critical to ensuring that our state continues to be a place that respects and protects the medical needs not only of our residents but also those who are forced to flee their home states for care. It’s most important that we create protections that are sustainable, and we are watching closely for challenges to other state’s approaches. While this has been shared in previous newsletters, it’s important that we move forward both with the most effective policies possible as well as doing so on a timeline driven by our ability to make the protections effective as early as possible. Under our constitution, any law passed after May 31 and before January 1 needs to either secure a super majority to achieve an immediate effective date or have a delayed effective date of June of the following year.

As we head towards the traditional end of summer, I hope you get some time to enjoy the best of what our great city has to offer in our best season. This weekend, I’ll be hitting a few block parties including Chalk Howard Street. If you’ve never seen the amazing 3D art created at this annual event, I urge you to take a minute and check it out. While you’re there, you can visit some of the vibrant new businesses along this stretch of our great neighborhood. I hope to see you out and about, either at a block party or at one of our many fabulous farmer’s markets!

I couldn’t be prouder of the outpouring of support for this year's Back to School Drive! We were able to provide 335 bags across the 14th District to CPS schools and Social Service Agencies. I wanted to thank Sen. Simmons for his donations to help offset bags this year. We couldn’t have done it without him or the help of all of you! I especially want to thank R Public House, Women & Children First Bookstore and Ald. Hadden for serving as drop off locations for this year's drive. I am filled with so much Pride in this year's generosity from the community.

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Hamdard Health Alliance 

40th Ward "Get Shredded" Event

Join us this weekend at 5333 N Western Ave from 10a-1p for the "Get Shredded" event in partnership with the 40th Ward Office. There is a limit of 2 boxes of paper, as well as electronic and prescription recycling. Please watch for the signs and volunteers on Saturday along Western Ave who will direct you where to go! Please reach out to Ald. Vasquez's Office with any questions at 773-654-1867.

This past Wednesday, President Biden announced his plan for federal relief and student loan forgiveness. Highlights of this plan include $10,000 of forgiveness and $20,000 of forgiveness if you went to college on Pell Grants. The plan also includes an extension of the student loan payment pause until the end of the year, December 31, 2022 with payments beginning again in January of 2023. For more information about the student loan forgiveness plan, visit here. 

Sister Jean turned 103 years old this past weekend! Our community had a blast celebrating the great Sister Jean's birthday. My office was honored to deliver our state's resolution honoring her work and legacy. Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot were in attendance also and honored her accomplishments. We all were on hand for the dedication of the new Sister Jean Plaza at the Loyola station. Go Ramblers! Please check out the new station plaza pillar as shown in the photo below.

In one of the strangest incidents during the pandemic, someone used a big piece of construction equipment to break into an ATM in Rogers Park this past February. Police found that a person stole a backhoe from a site on the South Side of Chicago and drove it all the way to the 1400 block of West Morse Avenue. Video surveillance at the time showed the backhoe being used to destroy the ATM. No one was ever placed in custody.

Thanks to Alderwoman Hadden's office and Chase the ATM is finally restored. This ATM is a critical place where people wish to take cash out due to its location in the neighborhood.

The Edgewater Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the return of this exciting summer musical event. Edgewater is ready to rock one last time this Summer! On Friday, August 26 from 6 pm to 9 pm make plans to order carry-out from your favorite Edgewater restaurant and head on over to St. Ita’s parking lot for a free concert. Help wrap up the Bands on Broadway series with a bang!

The popular 3D chalk fest will return to Rogers Park this Saturday! National and local street artists will convene on Howard between Paulina and Ashland, using the street as a canvas to bring vibrant and colorful pieces of art to life. 

The free event will take place on Saturday, August 27, from 11 am to 8 pm. For more information, visit the Rogers Park Business Alliance's website.

Please join Trilogy outside of their office in Rogers Park located at 1400 W. Greenleaf from 11 am to 3 pm for a prevention supply distribution and education event on August 31st. Trilogy staff will be available to distribute Narcan, fentanyl test strips, vein care flyers, and provide trainings on these materials.

From 6 pm to 7pm on August 31st Join Trilogy for a virtual presentation on overdose prevention and treatment resources. As time allows, we’ll open up the conversation for questions and mutual support between family and friends with loved ones struggling with opioid and other substance use. Sign up at https://bit.ly/trilogyodawareness.

Lutheran Social Services 

August 26th Update:

• Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 IL residents: 27.2
• Daily new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 IL residents: 118
• Percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by IL COVID-19 patients: 19%
• Statewide Totals: 3,670,258 confirmed cases and 34,677 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

Please visit helpillinoisfamilies.com starting September 1st to fill out and submit an online Request for Services form. After your Request for Services form has been submitted, await an email or phone call from your local agency to review and confirm your eligibility and to determine the amount of your LIHEAP benefit. If you need assistance with completing and submitting your Request for Services form, contact the call center at 1-833-711-0374 for live support. 

You can also contact the Chinese Mutual Aid Association at 773-784-2900 for further assistance or visit them at 1016 W. Argyle Street, Chicago, IL 60640.

To obtain the status of an application you can use the web link https://liheap2020.ilenergyassistance.com/customerinquiry/

or call the Help Illinois Families Call Center at 1-833-711-0374.

Due to the recent energy price increases and the availability of funds, the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) is not accepting new applications starting September 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023. Recertification for currently enrolled PIPP customers will continue during this time. Energy Assistance customers can still apply for the traditional one-time LIHEAP assistance. For more info regarding PIPP click here.

CASA of Cook County is hosting an informational Zoom session about becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate and how you can help our foster children. Join us on Tuesday, September 6th at 6:30pm. You can register for the event here.

The City of Chicago has launched the Home and Business Protection Program (HBPP) to assist Chicagoans in having access to private security equipment to protect their property and feel safe. The program will provide select rebates to cover costs associated with outdoor security camera systems, cloud storage for video footage, outdoor motion-sensor lighting, vehicle GPS trackers, and subscription costs.

Only security devices purchased on or after Monday, June 6, qualify for reimbursement. Installation costs of cameras, lighting, and GPS tracking devices are currently not eligible for reimbursement. 

Learn more about the program and apply for rebates at Chicago.gov/HBPP. If you have any questions, you can email HBPP@cityofchicago.org or call (312) 742-3317.

Howard Area Community Center has a community computer lab. The community computer lab is open to the public Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm at 7468 N. Paulina. 

Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center (CIADC) is a local non-profit based in Rogers Park. They offer classes for kids and adults in industrial arts: Metal Casting, Welding & Forging, CNC Technology, and Woodworking. They also are offering free afterschool classes to all CPS students grades 6-12 this Fall! For more information, visit here. 

The Chicago Northside AARP Community Group will hold its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 6, at 12:30 pm. Congressman Mike Quigley will join to share what's new in Washington. Make sure to submit questions in advance of the meeting. 

Participants are welcome to join the meeting in person at the Lake View Presbyterian Church, 716 W. Addison, or via Zoom. To register to join the Zoom meeting, email northsideaarpcommunitygroup@gmail.com. For more information on the AARP community group, click here. 

State Farm is looking for an entry-level Part-Time Customer Service Representative. Duties would include premium payment follow-up via phone, text, and email. Also various customer service-related follow-up tasks. State Insurance Producers License is not required but would be helpful for future promotion and commission eligibility

You can send resumes to dave.frederickson.g5p4@statefarm.com for consideration.

The Part-Time Job, Internship & Service Fair offers students of all majors and levels part-time opportunities (paid or unpaid) while balancing their studies. For-profit and non-profit organizations from all industries can register via Handshake. This fair targets students who are seeking: part-time jobs on/off campus, engaged learning opportunities, and volunteer work in the fall semester. Students register in Handshake under 'Fairs.' Student registration is recommended, but it is not required. 

For more details click here.

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

5533 N Broadway

Chicago IL 60640