Kelly's Update

We’re sending the newsletter early to allow everyone on the team to enjoy the holiday week. We’ve made a couple stops this week at neighborhood Thanksgiving events, so it almost feels like we’ve spent the week warming up for the big game.

Once the holiday is behind us, things start to really kick into gear as we head towards the end of this year and the January Lame Duck session. We’ll have lots of work between now and then, but I’m thankful for some great learning opportunities next month as well. First, I’ll be joining other LGBTQ+ elected officials for a summit hosted by The LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. I look forward to spending time with colleagues from around the country brainstorming ways to keep our community safe. After that, I’ll be joining my colleagues from the State Innovation Exchange and the Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council for a convening of progressive lawmakers and advocates. At both of these gatherings, I’m hoping to share ideas and learn from colleagues in other states about steps they’ve taken to protect rights that maybe we haven’t contemplated yet.

I think I may have mentioned that while I absolutely love Thanksgiving, for me that’s largely based on getting to make as big of a mess in the kitchen as I want and the leftovers. Well, that and pie for breakfast! 

I love a good Thanksgiving turkey sandwich for sure, but my absolute favorite leftover recipe is a perfect bite wonton. I’m sure the picture will get some critique of my wonton folding/sealing methods - I kinda wing it till they’re sealed. But if you want to follow directions, here are a few methods to try.

Gather up your leftovers. Truly, whatever your perfect plate looks like to you. NOTE: not everything has worked as part of the filling - the Brussels sprout gratin was just not a welcome component a couple of years ago. Mince up turkey and any other items that need to be (not too big, not too small, you want texture but not weird chunks), mix in with mashed potatoes and moisten with some gravy. That’s it. That’s your filling. Put about a teaspoon on a wonton wrapper, brush the edges with egg and pinch to seal. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and put them in a 350 oven for about 7-10 minutes till they brown up. I think they’d do really well in an air fryer too, but I haven’t tried it. I use the amazing cranberry/pear/ginger relish that my friend Jan makes for our Thanksgiving dinner cranberry sauce, add a little red wine and cayenne and let it cook down for an amazing dipping sauce. Here’s a version of the sauce that seems close.

Until next week!!

Kelly, Mike Simmons, and Andre Vasquez with the wonderful residents of the Schneider Senior Apartments

Left to right: Taylor, Kelly, Rauly, and Carlos

Rauly and Carlos

Heather and Gabby from Senator Mike Simmons’ Office, Alderman Matt Martin, Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, Taylor, and Director of Programs San at South-East Asia Center for their Thanksgiving Special Lunch. 

Our office will be closing early on Wednesday November 27th, and will be closed all day Thursday and Friday due to the holiday. Please email Info@repcassidy.com with any requests and we will get back to you as soon as we are able to.

Fundraisers and Drives

Trilogy's annual winter clothing drive has begun and they will be accepting new and gently used winter clothing through February 2025. You can drop off all donations locally at their Rogers Park location at 1400 W. Greenleaf.

Care for Real is hosting a collection drive in partnership with Ismaili CIVIC and ECRA on November 23 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Iwmali Jamatkhana parking lot (1124 W Rosemont Ave)! See the above list of items being requested for donation for the drive.

To learn more about Care for Real, click HERE.

Start this giving season off right and donate to our clothes drive! We are accepting any gently used clothing items, but really urging participants to donate winter gear!

There are two drop-off points at Sauce and Bread Kitchen and R Public House

Go check them out and Don't Waste, Donate!

LaundryMates 1425 W Morse

R Public House 1508 W Jarvis Ave

Sauce and Bread Kitchen 6338 N Clark St

Seasonal Events

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Chicago's most unique and beloved holiday tradition is here: The Allstate CTA Holiday Fleet. Now in its 33rd year of operation, we are excited to be delivering holiday cheer throughout Chicago's neighborhoods and welcome you aboard our decked-out and dazzling Allstate CTA Holiday Train and the popular Allstate CTA Holiday Bus!

For Holiday Train and Bus schedule Click Here

Chicago’s beloved holiday market, Christkindlmarket, returns Friday, bringing holiday cheer, German flair, special edition mugs and more. There will be dozens of vendors selling food, holiday beverages, local and international food, merchandise and art. Find more information here.

November 22 – December 24

Sunday through Thursday: 11 am – 8 pm

Friday through Saturday: 11 am – 9 pm

Special Opening Hours: 

Thanksgiving (November 28): 11 am – 4 pm

Christmas Eve (December 24): 11 am – 4 pm

Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602

Collect $150 or more in receipts from at least 4 different INDEPENDENTLY- OWNED businesses within Rogers Park from Saturday, November 30 through Tuesday, December 31, 2024 and receive a $50 rebate. Collect $200 or more and receive a $75 rebate!

For rules and information check out their website.

Hop on board for a holly jolly ride through the neighborhood when the free Holiday Trolley returns to Andersonville!

Ride the trolley all weekend long, hopping on and off as you explore the neighborhood's holiday cheer! The trolley starts its route from the Swedish American Museum at 11 AM on Saturday, December 7, and Sunday, December 8, making a festive 20-minute loop with stops at all your favorite spots:

🚏 The Guesthouse | 4872 N Clark

🚏 Foursided | 5061 N Clark

🚏 Swedish American Museum (northbound) | 5211 N Clark

🚏 Dearborn Denim (southbound) | 5202 N Clark

🚏 Berwyn and Clark

🚏 Balmoral and Clark

🚏 Catalpa and Clark

🚏 Parson's | 5721 N Clark

Extra holiday magic on Saturday! 🎅 The first 40 kids to hop on get a FREE scoop card from Jeni’s Ice Cream—sweet! And from 12:30 to 3:30 PM, Santa himself will be on board, ready for photos and holiday wishes! Don’t miss this merry way to get around and support local businesses in Andersonville! 

This will be a great chance to do some holiday shopping, listen to great music, eat and drink some fine food and drink, and help support the artist community in Edgewater. There will be beautiful acoustic music with stand-up bass/guitar and vocals. The staff at Colvin House will also sell their homemade food and beverages.

The event will take place on Saturday December 07, from 3 PM to 7 PM at the Colvin House at 5940 N Sheridan Rd

The Edgewater Historical Society is hosting a Seasonal Music Performance with an accompanying Sing-along at The Edge Theater on Sunday, December 15th beginning at 3 pm! This event is family-friendly, and children under 12 are admitted for free! Adults and children over 12 can purchase tickets for $15.

Tickets are available for purchase at the door, or can be purchased online by clicking HERE.

Sullivan Holiday Bazaar December 5th

Join your neighbors at Sullivan High School for a local, festive bazaar! Shop local, support independent artists, and contribute directly to Sullivan students & family this holiday season. This event is open to the public and will be on December 5th from 5-7:30PM at Sullivan High School (6631 N. Bosworth Ave.)

Additionally, Sullivan is seeking seeking Rogers Park neighborhood businesses & artists to be a part of this event to support the school! Sign up to sell! Click here to sign up to sell. DEADLINE to register is December 1st, 2024.

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

1507 W. Morse Ave

Chicago IL 60626