Kelly's Update

This week, I’m heading down to Springfield for the home stretch. This week brings the Senate Bill Third Reading deadline, while we’re also getting deep into the weeds on the budget.

In the district, the team is preparing for summer events, summer interns, and generally holding down the fort as I try to keep my head above water for the remainder of session. The team is available to assist with any state government issues whether I’m in town or not and I’m able to tag in as needed.

This past week, Rauly attended the ribbon cutting for the new Vivent Health + TPAN center.

Pictured here, (left to right) Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, Brandon Hill (President & CEO) and Lorraine Hayes (Senior Director of Development).

Carlos also attended the 48th Ward's Older Adults Resource Fair on his last day at our office!

It was great to get a couple of days at home before I head back down for the duration. I spent the bulk of my time at home, catching up on neglected chores and finishing getting the garden planted. I’m excited to expand the driveway garden this year with the addition of a couple of raised beds to go along with our earth boxes and assorted containers. I may find myself with a few more options after the next two weeks in Springfield as I do enjoy getting a few extra plants at the Springfield Farmers Market and caring for them on our fire escape. We’ve got a salsa garden going with four different kinds of peppers, cilantro, parsley, and tomatillos. Other containers and beds include spinach, arugula, 3 varieties of tomatoes, green beans, turnips, radishes, a couple of varieties of carrots, sugar snap peas, and assorted herbs. Fingers crossed for a productive season!

Last week, several of my Republican colleagues once again got up to complain about a trans kid on a sports team. In this instance, a junior high student from Naperville who out-raced another student in a race, leading a Naperville city council member to out the student, releasing photos and naming the child. Let’s be clear, it’s one thing to try to score political points by creating hysteria over a small handful of kids playing sports. It’s quite another thing to endanger a child by sharing their name, image, and location on right wing social media. I’m all too familiar with what happens when organizations like Awake Illinois which has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center decide to aim their vitriol at a target, having fielded my share of threats stemming from their social media following, but I’m an adult and a public figure. It takes a special kind of evil to put a child in harm's way to advance your political agenda. There is a special meeting of the Naperville school district board tonight where we can expect more of the same ugliness we’ve seen too many times. My heart goes out to this family - it’s hard enough to navigate middle school under the best of circumstances without having outside adults using your experience to advance a hate filled agenda.

Illinois law is clear on the topic: trans students’ rights are protected. The Illinois Human Rights Act mandates that students in our public schools cannot be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. For all the fear and vitriol being pushed by some right now, there’s simply no known incidents of harassment by a transgender student in a restroom or locker room. Also, students that want more privacy can always get that accommodation. Long before the issue of transgender students was part of the dialogue, there always have been people who are uncomfortable changing in front of others and their schools have been finding ways to accommodate that.

We also already know from multiple studies that transgender students already face staggeringly high rates of assault and suicide. Singling them out for discrimination and threats as Naperville City Council member Josh McBroom has done is cruel and irresponsible.

While we’re finishing up with Senate Bills on Third Reading this week, we’ve gotten deep into the work of finishing the budget prior to our May 31st adjournment. Last week, we met in small working groups to try to identify areas for cuts given updated revenue estimates that reflect a gap of between $500 million to a billion given the lack of support currently for the handful of revenue options in the Governor’s introduced budget. Our budget negotiators continue to meet in leadership sessions, while our Progressive Caucus members have been meeting with members of the Illinois Progressive Revenue Alliance to identify alternative sources of revenue that are targeted at those who can most afford to rather than more regressive sources such as the sales tax. 

We’ve gotten a bunch of emails over the weekend generated by the Illinois Policy Institute, a right wing think tank opposing adding a sales tax to services being proposed by organized labor to fund transit. While Illinois is one of very few states that do not have a tax on services, this conversation has never gotten off the ground in spite of it being raised repeatedly. Over the years when this topic has come up, folks often try to narrow the focus of a potential service tax to try and take aim at services that are more focused on higher income individuals like financial services, boat storage, fur storage, legal services, and the like rather than more universally utilized services like hair care and other self care services, pet care, etc that would have a greater impact on folks with lower incomes. This usually results in some of the higher end industries hiring lobbyists to push back against being targeted for the tax and the end of meaningful discussions about services taxes. 

Ultimately, this budget will likely be a combination of painful cuts and achievable revenue options. Last year’s budget was nearly derailed by more conservative members of the Democratic Caucus pushing back against relatively innocuous revenue options, so it’s going to take a lot of collaborative work to find a path to sixty votes for this budget. The House and Senate Progressive Caucuses and member organizations from The Progressive Revenue Alliance will be presenting options that will minimize the impact of any new revenue sources on working families and folks on fixed incomes at a press conference on Wednesday. I will share details on that on social media and our website as soon as I can.

I’ll do my best to keep my social media feeds updated as the budget discussions advance and may do a special newsletter update if there’s something big to report. In the meantime, take good care of each other and I’ll see y’all in June!

Need to Know Info

We do our best to share inclusive and relevant information about events happening throughout the district. This week, however, we made an error by promoting a neighborhood gathering related to the Edgewater Glen Historic District celebration that is not open to the public.

The event was inadvertently shared from another neighborhood newsletter we subscribe to, and we apologize for the oversight. To clarify, the gathering is a private event intended only for residents of the Edgewater Glen Historic District and members of their neighborhood association.

We appreciate your understanding and remain committed to providing accurate and inclusive updates moving forward.

Our office will be closed in observance of the holiday on Monday, May 26th. You can email us at info@repcassidy.com and we will respond as soon as we are able.

Deconstruction of Campion Hall will begin in mid-June following a preparatory phase that starts May 12th. The project marks one of the early milestones in the Campus Plan and the University Strategic Plan—both of which emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary learning and advancing Loyola’s presence in health and sciences. 

Plans are being developed for a new center for nursing and science–serving as a home for the four-year undergraduate program of the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing–and will include specialty research and teaching spaces designed to create high-impact learning experiences in a pre-professional setting.

*Alderwoman Maria Hadden will be hosting a public community meeting on Tuesday, May 20th, at 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Loyola encourages all community members to attend this meeting, where university representatives will be present to listen and engage with attendees regarding the project. 

You can RSVP to the zoom meeting here.

Summer is almost here! Now is a great time to lock in dates to use the Museum Pass. Remember that the Museum Pass is good for general admission to any of the museums in Chicago for up to 4 adults! Sign up for the pass on our website and have a great time seeing the amazing museums Chicago has to offer!

Northside Community Resources & The Northside Community Development Corporation are hosting their 13th Annual Northside Housing Fair, which is being held on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Truman College (Cafeteria), located at 1145 W. Wilson Avenue in Chicago. Doors will open for onsite registration at 9:30 a.m., for attendees who have not preregistered.

Learn about home-buying processes, financing solutions, fair housing practices, and many other housing resources and services available to the public. In addition, this event will feature mini-workshops on topics such as Credit & Home-buying 101 and Tenants' Rights & Fair Housing. Each year, this event has resulted in countless people achieving homeownership, securing and maintaining rental housing, and even avoiding foreclosure.

This is a free event!

To learn more, click HERE!

Neighborhood Shoutout

The Andersonville Farmers Market has officially opened for the 2025 year! We are so excited for the market's return, running every Wednesday through October 22nd. Their new location is at 1500 W Winona, from 3pm to 7pm featuring over 40 local vendors!

Vendors include a mix of returning and new vendors, and with different pop up vendors every week, you can be sure to find something fun and exciting each week!

You can find more about the Market, including vendors, at their website here.

Fundraisers and Surveys

The Howard & Evanston Community Center is conducting a community needs assessment. They want to hear from you about the most important issues in our

community. After finishing the survey, you can enter a raffle for a $25 Gift Card!

A few things about the survey:

• The survey is short - it should only take you about ten minutes to fill out.

• The survey is anonymous. They will only ask for your name if you want to

be entered in the raffle for a gift card. Your name will not be connected to your responses

The Howard & Evanston Community Center will use information from this survey to improve its services.

Access the survey by clicking HERE!

The Edgewater Yard and Sidewalk Sale returns on Saturday, June 7 from 9AM-5PM! With over 200 participating households and businesses from Foster to Devon and Clark to Sheridan, shoppers can hunt for one-of-a-kind treasures all day long. This beloved neighborhood tradition brings the community together while supporting a great cause—proceeds benefit Care for Real. More info here!

District Events

Join the Pottawattomie Park Advisory Council for a garden tour. Learn about the plants and projects springing up in the community gardens at Pottawattomie Park. They will also be giving away New England Asters and other native plants that will support pollinators and native birds. Wednesday May 21st tour 6:00pm to 7:00pm join any time. Find the garden and Pottawattomie Park at 7340 North Rogers.

After educating, enchanting and helping people overcome their fears, the beloved rescue snake Jubilee is officially hanging up their scales! Adopted by a loving community member, this special serpent is slithering into a well-deserved retirement. Come celebrate their incredible journey. 

Thursday May 22nd 4pm-7pm

Jeni's Andersonville 5306 N Clark St

A portion of proceeds will go to CLEAR (Chicagoland Exotic Animal Rescue)

Senn High School is hosting their year end celebration of the arts, Word on the Street. Theater, dance, music, and visual arts performances by the students. The event is free for Senn Arts students, $5 at the door.

5900 N Glenwood

May 29th, 5:00pm

The Chicago Mosaic School is hosting its annual Mosaic Fest on Saturday, June 1 from 11 am to 6 pm at 1127 W Granville! This event is a perfect way to experience all that The Chicago Mosaic School has to offer while connecting with your community. Try your hand at creating a variety of mosaic projects, listen to live music, and meet your neighbors, all while enjoying food and beverages.

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

Chicago’s ONLY Monday farmers market is returning for the 2025 season.  Produced by Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, Edgewater Monday Market will take place every Monday from 3pm to 7pm at the southeast corner of Broadway & Thorndale, in the Broadway Armory parking lot (approx. 5917 N. Broadway).

The market runs from June 2nd to September 29th and will feature 45+ vendors over the course of the season, including a mix of weekly vendors, and rotating pop-up vendors. Featured vendors include a curated selection of local farmers, produce, specialty foods, bakers, prepared foods, craft goods, and artisans. This year’s market will also include various activities, musicians, and a chef’s table for demonstrations and samples on select dates

You can see a list of vendors here.

The Northside AARP Community Group meets the first Tuesday of the month. Their next meeting is June 3rd. This month's special guest will be Cook County Sheriff's Canine Unit.

June 3rd, 12:30pm

Third Space at Lake View Presbyterian Church,

2nd Floor Classroom (ELEVATOR ACCESSIBLE)

716 W. Addison St. Chicago, IL 60613

The Jarvis Square Artisan Market is back! Set your calendar for the next upcoming one on June 14th, always from 10 am to 2 pm. Discover local talent and handmade treasures there, where creativity and community come together. From handcrafted goods and art to unique gifts and gourmet treats, there’s something special for everyone.

To learn more about this ongoing event, click HERE!

This summer, A Just Harvest is celebrating the 5th anniversary of Saturdays in June Community Safety & Wellness Saturdays! Each Saturday in June, they are bringing our community together to celebrate and invest in our community through fun and free to attend events. 

June 7: 5k Community Wellness Celebration and Health Fair

June 14: Annual Summer Kick-Off Collaboration

June 21: Juneteenth Celebration

June 28: BIPOC and Queer Business Pop-up

Join A Just Harvest at 7649 N. Paulina Saturdays in June from 11AM-3PM!

Centro Romero's Annual Health Fair 2025 take place at 6216 N. Clark on June 10th from 9:00am-2:00pm. This event focuses on health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. This event is free and open to all!

Theatre

Raven Theatre's Season 42 ends with a stunning world premiere, GORGEOUS by Keiko Green! This funny, complicated, and one-of-a-kind production- directed by Kirsten Fitzgerald- is a hilarious and charming show you do not want to miss.

Jenny has a simple life; she takes care of the elderly and shows dogs professionally. When her just-a-little-bit-older boyfriend Bill dies suddenly, all Jenny wants is to get rid of his stuff and continue to show his champion Bulldog, GORGEOUS. Enter Bernie, a tornado of a woman. Amid the boxes of things that made up Bill’s life, Jenny and Bernie must find a way forward for themselves and the dog.

Gorgeous runs May 1-June 7th, at Raven Theatre

6157 N Clark St

You can get tickets here.

Now in its 36th year, the Rhinoceros Theater Festival returns to Chicago from September 4 until September 28, providing production and exhibition opportunities for local and national artists alike. Submissions for the festival will be open from May 1st-22nd.

This year, they are calling for work that in some way advances or responds to the idea of resistance, in whatever meaning that has for each artist. In times when prospects are cast grim, our imaginations are called upon to resist the gloom and doom, to resist cruel indifference, by populating our stages and our imaginations with gatherings and our persistent constructive presence. This year, of all years, the Rhinofest encourages affordable DIY production within our nest of venues and community and support for works of the imagination in resistance and in performance.

Performances will be held at Facility Theatre in Humboldt Park, Jarvis Square Theatre in Rogers Park, and Labyrinth Club in Avondale

For more information about the festival and how to apply go to their website.

Based on the novel by H.G. Wells

Adapted by ensemble member John Hildreth

Directed by ensemble member Heather Currie

Breaking news: the Martians have landed…in Chicago! Our world is watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than ours, yet just as mortal. They regard Earth with envious eyes as they craft their violent plans to destroy us. How on Earth will we survive? This world premiere adaptation of the novel by H.G. Wells brings razor-sharp satire to this infamous thriller. Ensemble members John Hildreth and Heather Currie, the team behind Cat’s Cradle, reimagine this sci-fi masterpiece for a modern audience.

Running May 23 – July 13, 2025

$25 Previews: May 23 – June 1 (Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.)

$45 Regular Run: June 6 – July 13 (Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.); Military, senior, and student discounts available

Tickets can be purchased here.

The Spot on Theatre company will be showing a new play called "The Cuckoo Clock" from May 1st to May 31st at the Berger Park Coach House (6205 N Sheridan Rd).

Play Description from the Theatre's website:

When a young girl moves in with her seemingly ancient Aunts, she discovers a magical house in Victorian England where the charming cuckoo clock comes to life and reveals a world of enchantment and adventure. Travel along with our heroine as she learns ever so much about kindness, friendship, and the sustaining power of love. Who knew that growing up and being at home could be such fun. 

​For children, families, adults, and all those young at heart! This performance is best suited for children 8 and above. The show will run for about 2 hours, including a ten minute intermission.  

To purchase tickets and to learn about show times, click HERE!

Youth & Teen

Summer is almost here! Make sure your kids have a wild time - register them for Lifeline's summer drama camp! We'll build magical worlds as creatures and bugs of the forest, construct creative characters, imagine new worlds, and go on theatrical adventures!

Did you know that all of Lifeline Theatre's productions begin as books? Summer campers have the opportunity to follow Lifeline's unique model and create short plays. Brigade campers (6-10 year olds) will adapt the books Du Iz Tak? and The Perfect Plan, while Theatre Intensive campers (10-13 year olds) will collaborate as an ensemble and use the book Ten Word Tiny Tales to Inspire and Unsettle as a creative jumping off point for their original play. All campers will share their original pieces on the Lifeline stage on their final day of camp! 

Chicago nonprofit After School Matters (ASM) is now accepting Chicago teens for their Summer programs running June 23 - August 1. Teens ages 14-18 can choose from hundreds of programs in the arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM, to discover their passions and develop new skills for life beyond high school.

This Summer: 

• Chicago teens ages 14 & 15 can choose from programs offering stipends for participation. 
• Chicago teens ages 16+ can choose from Internship programs, which will provide an hourly wage of $16.60/hour. 

Applications are now open and can be found here.

For more information about ASM and how you can support Chicago teens, visit: www.afterschoolmatters.org

Are you looking to explore something new for your child in 2025? Karate has many benefits such as increased focus, balance, agility, coordination, flexibility, emotional regulation, standing up for yourself/others and conflict resolution are just a few of the mental and physical benefits of karate classes. 

The Karate Beginners Special includes two months of classes (up to 3x/week) *and* uniform for only $250. Monthly payment option available as well. Schedule a FREE TRIAL CLASS to get started. Admission is rolling, but space is limited.

Classes are always LGBTQIA+ affirming and neurodivergent-friendly. Culture of Safety is a queer owned business. As always, classes are body-positive, trans-affirming, trauma-aware, and neurodivergent-friendly!

You can sign up here.

Job Openings

If you are searching for a job, consider visiting the American Job Center at Truman College! You can receive career coaching, assistance with building your resume, and many other useful services! They are hosting an orientation event on May 20th at the center (1145 W Wilson) which you can register for by clicking HERE! To learn more about the center, click HERE!

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office is now accepting applications for its third-annual summer job program!

Approximately 150 positions are available for college, trade school, graduate school students, law students, or graduating high school students who are enrolled in college or trade school in the fall.

Available positions include working in Secretary of State offices in Chicago, surrounding suburbs, Springfield and downstate facility locations. Under the program, college and trade school students earn $17 per hour and specific contractual intern positions for graduate and law school students earn $25 per hour. Job offerings include working in one of the 25 departments in the Secretary of State’s office or at a DMV.

Interested applicants can apply at www.ilsos.gov/summerjobs and must submit a resume, application, and cover letter explaining their interest in working at the Secretary of State’s office. Please reach out to publicengagement@ilsos.gov with any questions.

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

1507 W. Morse Ave

Chicago IL 60626