Kelly's Update

As we head into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday weekend and the presidential inauguration on Monday, we’re incredibly mindful of how many of our neighbors are concerned about what they might be facing from a second Trump administration. Trump and his appointees have explicitly threatened that their promised mass deportations will begin in Chicago, sending fear and anger through so many communities. Earlier this week, the Chicago City Council upheld the city’s Sanctuary City Ordinance, reinforcing the message that city resources will not be utilized in support of any ICE activities here. Sponsors of the failed ordinance that sought to weaken the law claimed that it would only be used against criminals, which to many may sound reasonable. However, without clarity on what crimes would qualify for deportation, that label could apply to many if not most of the folks we see and regard as our neighbors every day as it’s nearly impossible to avoid that label when you don’t have access to legal work, driver’s licenses, etc.

Last weekend, I was encouraged by two meetings in the district organized around volunteers wishing to provide support to our undocumented neighbors in this tense time. The 48th Ward Neighbors for Justice and the founders of Protect RP during the last Trump administration came together Saturday and Sunday to connect and strategize around this imminent threat, as well as other potential challenges folks are anticipating. Our office will have Know Your Rights Materials available as well as utilizing our storefront windows to share important information and resources for folks concerned about potential ICE action in the area.

On the legislative side of things, we’re making progress on getting everything in place for the 104th General Assembly. Every two years, we have to reset with new leadership teams and committee structures, office moves, and getting legislation finalized and introduced by the deadline. Our drafting request deadline was Friday, and bills have to be in their final form and submitted to the Legislative Reference Bureau by Friday the 24th so that they can be introduced by February 7th. We’ll have more on bills for this session coming up soon.

This term, I will continue to chair the Restorative Justice and Public Safety Committee where one topic we will continue to take a deeper dive into is the running conflict between the Department of Human Services and county sheriffs who are frustrated by the department’s failure to find appropriate treatment space for detainees in their custody who have been found unfit to stand trial. It is not unusual for a detainee to wait weeks or months after a finding of unfitness before they’re moved to a mental health facility for treatment. While it’s an operational challenge for the county jails and the sheriffs who run them, it’s of much greater concern that people in our custody who have been deemed in need of serious mental health treatment are left to further decompensate in facilities that simply aren’t equipped to provide the care they need. And don’t get me started on how our lack of accessible mental health care is likely the reason they’re in there in the first place. We have been meeting and researching solutions and are very interested in a recent pilot project that DHS has launched utilizing unused space in existing county jail facilities and staffing them to house and care for this population in a more efficient way. Short of opening more full size facilities, there are few ways to add more beds to this system and I’ll be very interested to see how this pilot plays out. We’ll be having some further subject matter hearings on the topic as the session gets underway.

One more bit of fun news: this week, I was honored to be appointed to the Legislative Ethics Commission as one of two members of the House Democratic Caucus to serve on this bipartisan, bicameral body that has responsibility for the rules under which the Legislative Inspector General operates, conducts hearings on cases brought forth by the LIG, and other duties you can see here: https://www.ilga.gov/commission/lec/default.asp. This new role brings with it an opportunity to take on a new challenge and learn more about another area of state government and I am grateful to Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch for the confidence he’s placed in me.

Stay safe as this next cold front approaches!

Our office will be closed on Monday, January 20th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Please reach out to info@repcassidy.com with any requests and we will respond as soon as we are back in the office.

The Chicago Prevention Alliance, in collaboration with ChicagoCAC, presents a one-day symposium dedicated to uniting prevention educators to end sexual harm against or by young people. The event takes place on January 22nd from 9am to 3pm at National Louis University (122 S Michigan Ave).

Featuring keynote speakers Illinois State Representative Kelly Cassidy and Alderman Daniel La Spata, the event will focus on the state of child sexual abuse prevention in Chicago, raising awareness and equipping participants with tools to respond effectively to signs and promote healthy relationships.

Registration for this event ends Wednesday, January 22nd.

The registration cost for this event is $75. 

Need to Know Info

For PDF versions of this document, see the following: English | Spanish

State Representative Kelly Cassidy is partnering with the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer on February 10, 2025 to help residents find and claim their lost funds! I-Cash representatives will be available from 11 AM to 3 PM to answer questions and help residents file unclaimed property claims. The Office of the Illinois State Treasurer is holding over $5 billion in unclaimed property—including dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, and insurance claims—and is seeking to return these funds to their rightful owners/heirs. You can see if you have unclaimed property here. We encourage attendees to bring an active State ID, a social security card, or other relevant records. 

The event is free and open to all! For more information about this event or to schedule your appointment, please contact our district office at 773-784-2002 and ask to speak to our District Office Manager Rauly, or you can email him directly at Rauly@repcassidy.com.

Public voting to select the new design of the Illinois State Flag is now open! The Secretary of State will be accepting votes until February 14th, and your input will help guide the 104th General Assembly in selecting the new State Flag!

To learn more about this historic initiative, click HERE!

To vote on the State Flag design, click HERE!

Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program

Program Details: This program will support small business with capital resources that can be used for infrastructure improvements, acquisition of essential equipment, or purchase of new property. Please see attached Program flyer in both English and Spanish, as well as a copy of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NoFO).

Award range: $10,000 - $245,000, per award

Eligible Applicants: Businesses owned by Socially Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) with a maximum of 25 full-time permanent employees OR Very Small Businesses (VSB) with less than 10 employees. Note: Only applicants who are GATA pre-qualified will be eligible for awards under this Program.

Learn more about the complete eligibility criteria, application process, deadlines, and presentation schedules here.

Application Deadline: April 7, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

Apply Here

We invite you, and your neighbors, to click here to register for the Environmental Justice Town Hall on Tuesday, January 21st, 6 pm, at Niles North High School, Black Box Theater, 9800 Lawler Ave, Skokie.

Environmental Justice is a personal passion of Commissioner Morita and an overall priority for Cook County. The first bill the Commissioner passed as Cook County Commissioner established a process for creating Cook County's first Environmental Justice Policy. An essential part of this process is you!

Over 1,000 people shared their perspectives through Cook County's Environmental Justice Survey. Now is the time to have your voice heard directly by those writing the policy. The press release can be viewed here.

Neighborhood Shoutout

LaundryMates, your friendly neighborhood laundry delivery service, is partnering with the Rogers Park Branch of Chicago Public Library and Literacy Chicago in a special event you'll not want to miss! This event will be on January 18th from 10AM-2PM at the Bubble City Laundromat located at 1425 W. Morse. The children's librarian will have a Story Time at 11 am. Literacy Chicago will have a sign up table for people interested in becoming volunteers AND for folks interested in ESL Conversation classes to begin in February 2025.  

Literacy Chicago will have brief surveys for those interested in ESL Conversation classes-such as what are the most requested days and times for students. Classes will be facilitated by trained literacy volunteers. Armadillo's Pillow and Third Coast Comics will be providing donations of books and comic books for attendees at the event. 

Refreshments will be provided! This is their inaugural event and are seeking as much support as possible. This event is open to the public and all Rogers Park neighbors are warmly invited to attend.

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.

District Events

The Edgewater Chamber of Commerce is hosting an Indoor Market on select Saturdays this winter at the Broadway Armory (5817 N. Broadway Ave). The Indoor Market will feature 30+ vendors selling prepared foods, baked goods, winter produce, warm drinks, local treats, and more! Entry to the market is free and open to the public. 

It's already time to begin planning Artists of the Wall 2025! The event will be on June 14 and 15, 2025. Design the Loyola Park Advisory Council poster for Artists of the Wall 2025! Your poster will be used to promote the event and on event t-shirts for the day of the event. The winner will receive a $250 prize for use of their art on our promotional materials. Artists will retain full rights to their work. The theme for Artists of the Wall 2025 is "All Together Now."

The poster must include the following text:

32nd Annual Artists of the Wall Festival

All Together Now

June 14 and 15, 2025

Loyola Park, Chicago

Hosted by Loyola Park Advisory Council

The poster should be 8x10. The Loyola Park Advisory Council would prefer designs in four color - CMYK - for easier printing on t-shirts but welcomes all designs.

Send entries as a high-res JPEG or pdf to loyolaparkac@gmail.com. Questions are welcome!

Please submit your poster by February 1 or earlier to be considered!

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Coffee and Cocoa Crawl on February 1st from 10 am to 2 pm.

From the Andersonville Chamber's website:

The Andersonville Coffee & Cocoa Crawl returns as a part of Fika Fest! Each route invites you to explore specialty offerings that may include coffee, hot cocoa, bakery items, and more! Check in begins at 9AM on February 1 at the Swedish American Museum, located at 5211 N Clark. At check in you will receive your route card (Bean or Brew) & your commemorative special event mug for sampling.

Children attendees are $10 each with an adult purchase. Children receive smaller portions & treats and do not include a mug.

Folks are encouraged to drop off puzzles during the check in for the Great Andersonville Puzzle Exchange, happening at the Swedish American Museum on the following day, February 2.

To learn more about this event, click HERE!

Jarvis Square Tavern (1502 W Jarvis) is hosting its annual Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, February 2nd, from 3 to 5 pm! Contestants can compete for a $100 judge's winner prize and a $50 popular vote prize. To register, be sure to email renee@jarvissquaretavern.com to participate. Only 12 entries will be accepted!

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is hosting "The Great Andersonville Puzzle Exchange" on Sunday, February 2nd at The Swedish American Museum (5211 N Clark.)

From The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce Facebook:

Bring a puzzle, take a puzzle! The Great Andersonville Puzzle Exchange returns Sunday, February 2 from 10 AM-2 PM at the Swedish American Museum located at 5211 N Clark. Bring puzzles and take as many as you like up to the number you brought! Please make sure your puzzles are not missing any pieces (that's a huge bummer). And don't miss The Great Andersonville Puzzle Throw-down happening during Puzzle Exchange. Contestants will compete to see who can finish a secret 48-piece puzzle the fastest! Come cheer them on!

Puzzles will be Collected at the Swedish American Museum on Friday, January 24 & Friday, January 31, between the hours of 10 AM-4 PM

Please note that:

Puzzles MUST have of all the pieces

Puzzle boxes should be in good condition

If the puzzle is open, the pieces must be sealed in a clear storage bag.

Limit max 15 puzzles for early drop off per person

Early Drop-offs at the Swedish American Museum will be given a ticket for redemption to be turned in at the puzzle exchange.

More information can be found by clicking HERE!

To sign up for the Puzzle Throw Down, click HERE!

Theatre

The Lifeline Theater (6912 N Glenwood) is starting a new production on Friday, January 17th, through Sunday, February 16th, called "The Kid Prince and Pablo."

From Lifeline Theater's website:

In the divided Capital City, the ruling class has banned rap and dance after an attempted revolution by the People. Kid Prince is set to inherit the throne…that is, until he meets Pablo, a drummer who performs for underground rap battles. When the two hatch a plan to switch identities, mayhem and music ensue. But by standing in each other’s shoes, Kid Prince and Pablo discover connections that could start a whole new revolution. Don’t miss the Midwest premiere of this incredible hip-hop adaptation of a classic piece set to inspire a new generation!

Lifeline is also offering a preview run of the production for $25 from January 5th through the 12th.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE.

The Factory Theater (1623 W Howard) is running a new production called "Greetings" starting Thursday, January 23rd until Saturday, February 1st!

From Factory Theater's Website:

GREETINGS by Zack Peercy is the story of Amy and Caroline, two friends growing up and growing apart. Directed by Taylor Pasche and starring Liz Falstreau as Amy and Theresa Liebhart as Caroline. Overtime productions at The Factory are an opportunity for our ensemble and collaborators to bring short form stories to the stage for a limited time.

To purchase tickets, click HERE!

City Lit Theater (1020 W Bryn Mawr) is premiering its newest production "Glassheart," on Friday, January 10th! The production runs until February 23rd.

From City Lit's website:

A modern-day reimagining of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale.

After centuries of living under a curse, the Beast and his one remaining magical servant have moved into a shabby apartment near a 7-11, hoping for a lower cost of living and better luck with girls. Their building manager, a fellow immigrant with a taste for gingerbread and children, offers help in navigating this threatening, impossible, completely mundane world, but all her gifts come with a price. When an eligible maiden moves into the second floor apartment, Beast’s servant (a relentlessly cheery lamp) colludes with the landlady to kidnap the girl. The servant finds herself assimilating the girl’s identity, her name, and bookstore job. As she becomes increasingly human, and the Beast becomes increasingly lost, she discovers what– and who– must be sacrificed for an ordinary life.

To purchase tickets, click HERE!

Production Productions is presenting the Tragedy of Macbeth as a visiting company at the Raven Theatre from January 10th to January 26th!

From the Raven Theatre's website:

MACBETH is one of William Shakespeare’s most powerful and popular tragedies, exploring the destructive power of ambition, guilt, and the supernatural. Set in Scotland, the play follows the rise and fall of Macbeth, a valiant warrior who, spurred by a prophecy from three witches and the manipulations of his wife, Lady Macbeth, murders King Duncan to seize the throne. As Macbeth ascends to power, his reign is marked by paranoia, madness, and further bloodshed, ultimately leading to his tragic downfall.

To purchase tickets, click HERE.

The Goodman Theatre is partnering with Willye B. White Park (1610 W. Howard St) to host GENARRATIONS, a FREE six-week writing and performance class for adults 55 and older on Tuesdays starting February 3rd from 10 am to 2 pm. Participants in GeNarrations meet once a week for two hours to write five-minute stories based on themes raised by Goodman Productions. Classes will be facilitated by Goodman Theatre Teaching Artist, Liam Collier. Writers of all experience levels are welcome!

For information on registration beginning January 11th, please reach out to genarrations@goodmantheatre.org.

Loyola University is beginning a new production called "Notes From The Field" starting February 13th and running until February 23rd at The Newhart Family Theatre (1020 W Sheridan Rd.)

From the Loyola Fine and Performing Arts website:

When fiction isn’t enough, stories must be told as they actually happened. Using verbatim transcripts of real-life interviews, Notes from the Field tackles incarceration, police brutality, and systemic educational issues with heart and hope. Anna Deavere Smith’s striking piece of documentary theatre shows the school-to-prison nexus not in allegorical critique, but in grotesquely real detail. Shattering notions of punishment and the justification of violent force, Notes from the Field interrogates what is activism, what is performance, and what you can do about it.

Loyola is also participating in the Chicago Theater Week, which runs from February 6th through the 16th. As a part of this, tickets will be offered HALF OFF using code CTW25 at checkout.

To purchase tickets for this production, click HERE!

Youth & Teen

The Edgewater Castle Football Club will be hosting FREE Indoor Youth Soccer programs at Broadway Armory Park and at the Loyola Park Fieldhouse from January until March! Program information and registration can be found by clicking this LINK.

The Center for Research on Child Development (CRCD) at Loyola University Chicago. The CRCD is providing families in our community with the opportunity to take an active part in science by participating with their children in research at Loyola. They are seeking interested families to volunteer for studies on infant and toddler development. To learn more about their work, you can view their website at loyolacrcd.org.

Olive-Harvey College (10001 S Woodlawn Ave) is offering a drone piloting course for youth in grades 6 to 12. The course runs Saturday from March 1st to March 22nd from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. The course is in person with a course fee of $50. Adult courses are also available in this subject.

Information on how to register can be found in the graphic above.

Seasonal Events

Don't let your tree die with the Holiday Season! The Chicago Park District and the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation partner to collect holiday trees at 27 park locations. Each year, thousands of trees are mulched through the program, diverting trees from landfills and creating mulch for city residents, local parks, and forests. 

Live and natural holiday trees can be dropped off inside the tree recycling corrals at the designated 27 locations citywide. All ornaments, lights, tinsel, and tree stands must be removed before the tree is dropped off, and plastic bags used for transport should also be removed prior to placing the trees in the corrals. Click HERE to see a list of sites that will collect holiday trees.

The 48th Ward Service Office is offering to recycle your non-working holiday lights at their office (1129 W Bryn Mawr)! Please be sure to separate lights from other decorations, do not provide lights in plastic or decorative shopping bags, do not place lights in styrofoam or other packaging, and do not provide 48th ward staff with non-light electronics.

The last day to drop off lights is January 31, 2025.

Job Openings

The 48th ward is hiring for a Director of Development position. Visit this LINK to see a more detailed summation of qualifications and role expectations.

The Illinois Department of Human Services is Hiring!

Explore career opportunities in professional, healthcare, administration, technical, clerical/administrative, and service roles—across the entire state of Illinois!

Join their next Virtual Recruitment Presentation to:

Discover the benefits of working with the State of Illinois.

Learn about future career opportunities.

Get a clear understanding of the online application process.

Receive tips to help you successfully complete your application.

Don’t miss this opportunity! Click to register for our next presentation (English and Spanish available)

Olive-Harvey College (10001 S Woodlawn Ave) is offering a Sheet Metal Aviation Tech training course! A couple of date ranges are available to suit your schedule. Information on how to apply is listed above!

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

1507 W. Morse Ave

Chicago IL 60626