Kelly's Update

{Updated and added links to organizations handling hurricane relief efforts in this section.}

This was another busy week, but if I’m being honest, my attention has been divided all week. Hurricane Helene’s impact on my beautiful hometown of Anna Maria Island in Florida and the subsequent destruction of so much of the southeast has made it hard to concentrate on much else while friends, family, and strangers are experiencing such horrors. I lived on Anna Maria as a child and have considered it home, even though I’ve lived in Chicago longer than anywhere else. The island is an extraordinary place, with some of the most beautiful beaches you’ll ever see, but still holding onto an old Florida vibe. Growing up there, it was more like a middle-class neighborhood that just happened to be in paradise than a resort destination, and the island today is way more developed than it was then. I remember folks coming out to watch the first stoplight (a blinking one) get installed. Many of those multi-generation families are still out there and my heart breaks seeing the destruction up and down the island with folks losing everything to the biggest storm surge the island has seen. Many of the houses are little cottages that didn’t stand a chance in the surge. Even more modern homes built on stilts weren’t spared. In my lifetime, the island has been incredibly lucky and hasn’t seen anything like this. The community has really come together while the state and local governments have mustered resources along the entire coastal area impacted - from just south of where we are near Tampa Bay all the way north to the Big Bend region that took the direct hit and experienced the worst destruction. That region includes many old fishing villages that are the least equipped to recover from a disaster like this, not unlike many of the areas in North Carolina and Tennessee that are desperately poor and completely cut off from aid due to the damage caused to the roads. It’s during events like this that connection to the community matters so much. There are Herculean efforts underway to get rescue equipment and personnel as well as supplies into the most remote and damaged areas including helicopter drops and mule trains, but the reality of the scope of the disaster means there’s never enough time in the day. 

Seeing communities come together in all of these areas has been pretty amazing. My social media feed is full of old friends stepping up to provide support for each other. The youth center where I played sports (badly) and hung out after school is a staging area for relief supplies and volunteers to get matched with folks in need. Click here to learn more. Restaurants from the mainland are driving prepared food out to various locations around the island to make sure folks have good food and fresh water. People are offering up their short-term rentals for emergency housing for folks, while others are asking folks to keep an eye out for various items that washed away and sharing information about important finds that might make their way back to their owners.  Just across the bridge in the historic fishing village of Cortez, the destruction and impact on folks least equipped to recover is breathtaking. The Blessing Bags Project has been focusing on the needs of this community while the Cortez Church of Christ and the Sunny Shores Clubhouse are both distributing relief and meals.

In Asheville and Black Mountain, NC where I have some dear friends living, it’s been even more remarkable in some ways given the extent of the destruction and the effort needed to recover. A friend who’s the pastor at Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta is coordinating that congregation’s support of Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. To learn more click here. Her husband digs out and makes repairs at their farm and is supporting the distribution efforts. He posted about being met by a team of 5 men with big trucks and heavy equipment for clearing debris who just come to the region with their equipment to help and had been sleeping in their trucks and finding them a place to stay. My friend in Asheville has told me about a group called the Cajun Navy that is literally moving heaven and earth to get to folks in need. They’re a volunteer group formed after the Louisiana Flood of 2016 that works hand in hand with the Incident Command Structure to multiply their impact. World Central Kitchen has also been providing food all across the region. 

I know of folks who have been doing this kind of thing for years in smaller ways, but it’s an impressive operation. In Florida, whenever there was a bad storm, there were always folks loading up their trucks with supplies and tools to show up and help wherever the storm landed. It’s an amazing and inspiring tradition. There’s certainly a lot of fear, frustration, and impatience and that’s likely to grow as the recovery process stretches longer, but I’m choosing to look at the ways people are showing their strength, resilience, and compassion and the incredible efforts of all the workers who have flooded these areas with utility support, search and rescue personnel, and heavy equipment. It’s really a superhuman effort.

Having spent my life in hurricane country, I have never seen anything like this. I saw a comparison between the two storms that really drove home the distinction: Katrina was a category 3 storm with maximum winds of 125mph and a diameter of 400 miles while Helene was a category 4 with 140mph winds and more than double the size of Katrina at 822 miles wide. The sheer size of the radar image of Helene is breathtaking and illustrates the broad swath of the country that was impacted.

I’ll be heading down to Florida as soon as I’m able to. I want to help with the cleanup and rebuilding efforts, but not everyone can be hands-on help. The links I’ve shared represent groups I know are on the ground and doing the work, but it’s obviously not exhaustive and there are certainly other groups worthy of support. Any support you offer that can reach the folks most in need the fastest will certainly make a huge difference.

The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) is pleased to announce the release of the Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF). The Creative Accelerator Fund provides crucial support to artists with a goal of strengthening the creative workforce that composes a significant portion of Illinois’ economic activity. CAF recognizes and supports the vital role that artists play as builders and innovators in their communities. By investing in their practice and professional growth, the fund not only enriches the lives of artists but also encourages broader community engagement and investment leading to a vibrant cultural landscape and fostering connections among residents.

The Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF) will provide 130 artists with a flexible $10,000 taxable award. To be eligible, individual artists must demonstrate an active and sustained practice, be age 21 or older, be established as an Illinois resident and not currently enrolled full-time at a college or university in any undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral program.

The application for the CAF open September 25th and closes November 20th, IAC staff will conduct one Creative Accelerator Fund webinar on Friday, October 4th at noon to discuss the application process. Participation requires advance registration. A recorded version of the webinar with transcripts will be made available on the Creative Accelerator Fund webpage. Please see the webpage for more details.

The Illinois Council on Women and Girls is excited to announce an open call for nominations to the Girls Committee! Girls Committee members will collaborate with Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton to share their perspectives on critical issues facing young women in Illinois. Nominations are open for any female-identifying or nonbinary high schoolers you may know who would benefit from this unique opportunity! Is there someone in your community who wants to help create change but maybe haven't had the opportunity to? This is a great chance to let her voice be heard!

Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 20th and can be done here.

Neighborhood Shoutout

Women & Children First, one of the nation’s largest feminist bookstores, has been named the first-ever recipient of the Great Lakes Bookstore of the Year Award, presented by the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association (GLIBA). This award recognizes outstanding achievement in bookselling and community engagement across the Great Lakes region.

The award will be presented to Lynn Mooney and Sarah Hollenbeck, owners of Women & Children First, during the Heartland Fall Forum in October, an annual conference celebrating independent bookstores and the vibrant literary culture of the Midwest.

Founded in 1979, Women & Children First has been a Chicago staple for over four decades, committed to amplifying underrepresented voices and hosting events that inspire conversation and activism.

​"Women and Children First has played such a huge role in my and my family’s life. From figuring out how to navigate Chicago as a newly arrived baby lesbian wide-eyed at all the possibilities on that bulletin board, to raising my boys at story time where one of them earned the nickname the mayor of storytime because he would take over the explanation of rules and recite them by heart, to being sworn in as State Representative in the children’s section, first Ann and Linda and now Sarah and Lynne have been a constant. And my story isn’t unique. A good bookstore is so much more than a place to find something to read and over the years, Women and Children First has embodied that maxim for so many folks." 

       - Illinois State Representative Kelly Cassidy

On October 9, Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and City Council members will pay tribute to Alderperson Mary Ann Smith during the City Council Meeting. Read the resolution honoring Ald. Mary Ann Smith here. 

City Council has approved a street sign at 5400 N Wayne in order to honor Alderperson Mary Ann Smith. The 5400 block of N Wayne will soon be “Alderperson Mary Ann Smith Way.” We are coordinating with Alderperson Smith’s family on a street sign unveiling event for late October. The unveiling will be open to the public and announced at a later date.

In the District

Events in Rogers Park

You are invited to join the team of changemakers that is building education equity, expanding teen employment access, and cultivating brave, compassionate leaders in our community by supporting Family Matters' 35th Annual Walk-A-Thon! The event will be held on Saturday, October 5th beginning at 7711 N Marshfield Ave. Registration will begin at 10AM and the walk will begin an hour later at 11am.

See full details from Familly Matters Below:

Family Matters’ 35th Annual Walk-A-Thon! 

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Family Matters (7731 N. Marshfield Avenue, Chicago, IL)

Registration & Breakfast: 10:00 a.m.

Group Photo & Send-Off: 10:50 a.m.

Celebratory Community Picnic, Health Fair & Carnival: 12:30 p.m.

Your contribution to this much-anticipated fundraiser will make a significant difference to the youth and the families who call Family Matters "a home away from home." We are looking forward to a day filled with stories, music, carnival games, and food, and we so hope that you can join us.

The Family Matters School, a specialized Pre-K through 3rd grade school designed for children who thrive outside of a traditional classroom.

Partners in Learning, a tutor/mentoring program, designed to build education equity, where youth in grades 1 through 12 are paired with a dedicated tutor/mentor for the school year.

Project RISE, a teen job skills training and leadership development initiative.

Community Engagement, an initiative which brings the community together to work on various projects.

Once the walk is over be sure to check out the Family Matters Block Party!

Get ready for another unforgettable evening with Dance Divas “Remake, Reboot, Rewind”—featuring celebrated musical revivals, legendary divas who are queens of the comeback and homage to iconic performances of stage and screen. Once again, the Chicago dance community will unite onstage to portray the famous dancing ladies of yesterday and today.

Don’t miss out on this incredible display of high camp, high glamour, and jaw-dropping dance moves.

This event is taking place at the Rhapsody Theater (1328 W Morse Ave) on October 5th at 8pm and on October 6th at 3pm and 6pm.

Tickets can be purchased HERE.

The 49th Ward Office, the Chicago Department of Public Health, and the Chicago Park District are partnering to provide free flu shots and COVID vaccines for the community. 

Please register for an appointment online here. Walk-ins will be accepted but pre-registration is highly encouraged. Please book a separate appointment for each patient in your party.

The event will take place on Thursday, October 10th, from 10am - 2pm, in the Pottawattomie Park Fieldhouse at 7340 N Rogers Ave. 

In their 4th rendition of Grimm this talented cast of local artists present a selection of Brothers Grimm stories woven together by local playwright Michael Dalberg. previously this production made Choose Chicago's "top 10 list of things to see this Fall", "deft adaptation and staging" (Chicago Reader), "A great experience" (Around the Town Chicago), "A delightful addition to my slate of fall shows, and I think it should be one of your as well" (Chicago Theatre Review).

Tickets are available at theatreatl.org use the online code C-Grimm24 for $15 tickets (subject to availability, presale only). All performances held at 1439 W. Jarvis.

Adapted by Lifeline ensemble member Frances Limoncelli, this beloved mystery by Dorothy L. Sayers brings the captivating story of Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane back to the stage. First performed in 2006, this gripping adaptation follows Harriet as she returns to Oxford, seeking refuge from her complicated relationship with Lord Peter. But her peaceful retreat soon spirals into danger when a vengeful vandal targets the college, its residents, and ultimately Harriet herself. As tensions rise, one question remains: Will Lord Peter arrive in time to save her?

This one-time-only special benefit event will include a light brunch prior to the show and a talk-back with the cast over dessert afterwards. All proceeds contribute to Lifeline Theatre’s future programming—don’t miss your chance to support us while experiencing a fan-favorite mystery!

Reserve your seats now for this unforgettable special benefit event filled with intrigue, romance, and suspense!

Get ready for an unforgettable night at CirquesExperience's Harvest Fest Circus Show on October 12th—and the best part? It’s absolutely FREE!

Watch in awe as the amazing performers light up the stage, featuring the high-energy moves of the Uptown Breakers, the dazzling acts of the CirquesExperience Show Team, the incredible skill of the Wheel Gymnastics USA Team, including the mesmerizing Cyr Wheelers from Acro Enso, and the dynamic talents from Chattooga Gymnastics. This full circus extravaganza is sure to leave you amazed!

But the fun doesn’t stop there! After the show, stick around for our Oktoberfest Party! Enjoy refreshments, challenge your friends to fun games, and snack on delicious, warm pretzels. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season with us!

Mark your calendar, grab your friends, and join us for this spectacular night—no tickets needed!

Mobile Care Chicago, a completely free pediatric mobile clinic working in your neighborhood, is coming to Smack Dab in Rogers Park. They will be offering free kids dental cleanings in their Dental Van. Mobile Care Chicago works city wide to provide health services for kids, they come right to schools and hold events like these so that parents and guardians don't need to take extra time off work.

Please join them at Smack Dab on Saturday October 19th from 12pm-3pm.

Events in Edgewater

 From children’s book to cookbooks - we have more than 20 genres of books. There’s something for everyone when we open the doors to the Betty A. Barclay Community room on Book Sale day. Here’s just a sampling of what you’ll find.

Non-fiction, including Biographies/Autobiographies, Science, Cookbooks, Self-Help, Education, Photography, Foreign Language, Poetry, Children’s, Arts & Crafts, Spirituality and more.

Fiction, including Thrillers/Mystery/Suspense, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Adventure, Children/Young Adults Literature, Classics, Romance, Westerns, and many more.

6000 N Broadway- 2nd Floor

Saturday, October 5, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, October 6, 1-4 p.m.

It was in the 1960s that Marvel Comics began creating dozens of memorable characters, one after another over a period of years, and built a single cohesive world for them to inhabit. In comic books, this was revolutionary. But the two men at the center of this renaissance struggle with the idea of credit now that they’ve made it something worth struggling over. The House of Ideas examines the rise of Marvel and the fraught relationship between the Lennon and McCartney of comic books, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Part Three of The Four-Color Trilogy, about the men and women who created a body of literature Americans both embraced and loathed.

World Premiere by Mark Pracht, Directed by Terry McCabe closing October 6.

You can get your tickets here.

Come for a stroll and hang out on Broadway, Bryn Mawr, Devon, Granville. Do some shopping. Grab a drink at a local bar. Hang out on a patio. Pick up some grub at one of your favorite Edgewater restaurants (or two, or three). Or just chill out!

Local solo musicians and small ensembles will be popping up on street corners and in public plazas from approximately 4pm to 8pm, and bringing the vibes. Loitering and listening strongly encouraged. 

Events in Andersonville

Get ready to celebrate creativity in Andersonville like never before! The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to bring you the 20th annual Andersonville Arts Weekend, turning our neighborhood into a lively, walkable art gallery from Friday, October 4th to Sunday, October 6th.

This three-day arts extravaganza showcases a kaleidoscope of creativity—from visual art to theatre, dance, music, makers, film, culinary delights, student art, and even eye-catching public installations.

Don't miss the beloved traditions, including the Self-Guided Art Walk happening all weekend long, and the can't-miss Night of Parties on Friday, October 4th at 5 PM. Top it all off with our Fall Wine Walk on Sunday, October 6th—because art and wine are the perfect pair. Cheers to a weekend of art-filled fun!

Immerse yourself in the vibrant art of Andersonville Arts Weekend while enjoying a sip (or more) of wine! The Andersonville Fall Wine Walk turns local businesses into charming wine-tasting destinations. The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is offering one route this year with a few extra stops running from 3 - 6PM.

Tickets are $45. Check in at the Andersonville Chamber office (1544 W Hollywood Ave) from 1-4:30PM. Tickets released after 4:30PM are first come, first served. Special thanks to In Fine Spirits for sponsoring!

To learn more about this event and to purchase tickets, click HERE!

Join the Andersonville Sustainable Community Alliance (ASCA) at the Bramble Arts Loft for a film Screening of The Biggest Little Farm during Andersonville Arts Weekend. Drinks and small bites will be provided during the opening reception. This is a free event with donations welcome.

THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM chronicles the eight-year quest of John and Molly Chester as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland and a dream to harvest in harmony with nature. Through dogged perseverance and embracing the opportunity provided by nature's conflicts, the Chester’s unlock and uncover a biodiverse design for living that exists far beyond their farm, its seasons, and our wildest imagination.

Featuring breathtaking cinematography, captivating animals, and an urgent message to heed Mother Nature’s call, THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM provides us all a vital blueprint for better living and a healthier planet.

Doors open at 4:30PM, Film screening at 5:30PM

Virtual Q & A with filmmakers following the screening.

You can get more information and RSVP/Donate here.

The Neo-Futurists Theater is offering buy-one-get-one-free tickets to their long-running production "The Infinite Wrench" this weekend (October 4-6th) using code "PumpkinSpice".

From their website:

At THE INFINITE WRENCH you’ll see thirty original plays in sixty minutes; written and performed by The Neo-Futurist Ensemble.

Each play offers something different, be it funny, profound, elegant, disgusting, topical, irreverent, terrifying, or a song; all are truthful and tackle the here-and-now, inspired by the lived experiences of the performers. With new plays every week. THE INFINITE WRENCH is The Neo-Futurists’ ongoing and ever-changing attempt to shift the conventions of live performance and speak to those unreached or unmoved by traditional theater.

To purchase tickets, click HERE.

Join veteran paranormal tour guides, Orion Couling & Zack Meyer, on a night that explores the shadows of history with the lantern of mystery. This 1.5-mile walking tour will take you to the door of hidden haunts and the path of legends. Find out the eerie stories about some of Andersonville's most beloved spots!

Orion & Zack are nationally renowned storytellers that have recently brought their unique style of storytelling to the "Shadow Carriers" podcast. Now, you have the opportunity to walk alongside them as you learn more about the dark history of Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood.

Get your ticket soon so you don't miss out!

Youth & Teen

Teen Fallapalooza is here! Join us on October 18th, 2024, from 5-8pm at Winter Garden in Harold Washignton Library. The event will feature:

Music sets by DJ Double 8, Tai Hunter, B-man and HotRod

Free food

Airbrush Tattoos

Video Games

Fall Themed Crafts

Boardgames

Scary Movies

Photobooths

And much much more

Don’t miss out on the fun—it’s the perfect chance to hang out, make new friends, and enjoy all the fall vibes! This event is for Chicago residents ages 14-19.

The event is free RSVP here!

Chinese Mutual Aid Association Mentorship Programs

The Chinese Mutual Aid Association's Youth Department is offering two Adolescent Mentoring Programs: Young Women Warriors (YWW) and Young Men Making Moves (YMMM). Both programs are seeking new mentees and mentors as they start their new program year!

YWW and YMMM are programs for young people of color between 12 and 18 years old. Throughout the year, mentors and mentees come together to do fun activities, learn new skills, and navigate the challenges and triumphs of high school and college. The programs provide networks of adult professionals who help guide mentees throughout high school, college, and the beginning of their careers. 

To sign up for the YWW program, click HERE.

To sign up for the YMMM program, click HERE. 

Starting in October, YJC will be offering a recurring workshop that demystifies credit for young people. Participants will learn what credit is, how to build their credit, and how they can leverage their credit to achieve their goals. This one-hour workshop will be repeated every other month, with the first workshops taking place on October 10 and 31st from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. To sign up, email Lupita at lvavalle@youthjobcenter.org

If you are a young person aged 16-24 who's interested in pursuing a healthcare career but either don't know where to start or can't afford the training you need, we can help! YJC has partnered with TTI Medical School and Chicago Instruction Center to connect interested young people with training and certification in the following categories:

Patient Care Technician (PCT)

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

EKG Technician

Phlebotomy Technician Training Certification

Email our healthcare program coordinator Sara at algawerash@youthjobcenter.org to learn more

Job Openings

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is hiring a Research and Analysis Manager. To apply and see any other employment opportunities visit their website.

City Wide Job Fair

There will be a city-wide career fair on Thursday, October 10th from 10 AM-2 PM at Olive-Harvey College (10001 S. Woodlawn). This event has open registration. For assistance with resumes and interviewing skills, visit your neighborhood American Job Center, levelupajc.org

S&C Electric Company Hiring

S&C Electric in Rogers Park is seeking to hire team members for several key positions in their organization. S&C Electric is a 100% employee-owned team seeking several team members in the Rogers Park community to keep the lights on across the globe.

To learn more and apply, visit ww.sandc.com/careers.

Chicago Park District Hiring Inclusion Aide

The Chicago Park District Special Recreation Unit is currently seeking part-time year-round Inclusion Aides to support participants with disabilities in need who attend our park programs. Click HERE to apply!

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

1507 W. Morse Ave

Chicago IL 60626