Kelly's Update

After a slightly slower paced week where the House was the only chamber in the Capitol, I’m headed to Phoenix, AZ for a 2 day meeting with the National Conference of State Legislators on criminal justice reform research methods. I tend to try to protect what little down time is available during the heart of session, but I have consistently found my work with NCSL on criminal justice policy enlightening and rewarding, so off I go! These bipartisan meetings bring together legislators, staff, and subject matter experts from across the country to share knowledge and perspectives that we wouldn’t otherwise get to experience.

While I didn’t have the opportunity to advance any of my bills this week due to ongoing discussions, the need to confer with Senate sponsors, or cancelled committees, we did get to gather in caucus for a bit of a mid session check in. Budget talks are starting to take on more shape, so we were briefed by our team of budgeteers on what to expect as we anticipate updated revenue projections fueled by tax receipts after the April 15th deadline. Next week, we’ll be getting updates on the status of existing capital projects as well as programs that were zeroed out of the introduced budget that could impact important services. 

This week also brought more hyperbolic hatred from some of my Republican colleagues who tried to force the Illinois High School Sports Association to comply with the President’s illegal executive order targeting trans youth in spite of very clear state laws and case law protecting these kids against discrimination.

The fact that these so called adults feel like the most important thing they can spend time on as legislators is trying to force schools to police the genitals of children while Congress just voted to disenfranchise two million Illinois voters for having changed their names, and the administration disregards due process, the rule of law, and their own Supreme Court, is incredibly telling. The proposals that these members champion are mind bogglingly wrong headed. If you take a half second to think about how a school would enforce a law about access to bathrooms and locker rooms, the only logical conclusion is invasive genital exams of students suspected of being trans. If your mind autocorrected that to “sexual assault” when you read it, you wouldn’t be wrong.

Just like the President, who recently admitted to using transphobia to get voters riled up, these members can’t bring themselves to acknowledge the lawlessness and destruction of the administration or the harm actively being imposed on their constituents in the process, so they choose to focus their energy and attention on the THREE trans kids the IHSA has acknowledged are playing on sports teams in Illinois. Those three kids, and their families, are painfully aware that these politicians are using them as props, stoking faux outrage that too often turns into real harm to the kids and families in their crosshairs. 

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my longtime friend Matt Jones, who spent the last four years fighting glioblastoma. A bipartisan group of House members shared our memories of working with Matt over the years while his wife streamed our session live so Matt could hear our words of love and respect for him. On Saturday afternoon, Matt passed peacefully in the garden at the hospice home where he’d spent the last couple of weeks as his condition advanced. Matt was truly one of a kind, someone who loved our state and the work of governing, whose intellect, dedication to our shared mission, openheartedness, and humor allowed him to transcend so many of the things that so often divide us. We uploaded the full tribute to Matt on our YouTube channel if you’d like to learn more about this extraordinary public servant and friend.

Members honoring Matt Jones on the House floor

We return to session on Tuesday with two more weeks to advance Senate bills out of House committees before the committee deadline. Meanwhile, the Senate is working through the bills we sent over and I’ll be working closely with the Senate sponsors to ensure those bills move smoothly through the process. I continue to work with stakeholders to finalize language on a few “bigger” bills such as the Sexual Assault Survivor Emergency Treatment Act, changes to licensure and disciplinary processes for medical professionals who sexually abuse patients, and the Anjanette Young Law, lead sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Kam Buckner that we hope to get through before we adjourn at the end of May.

As always, my incredible team in district really holds it down during this most intense part of the session. We continue to handle a high volume of constituent service requests and local events while gearing up for the rush of summer activities. We’re interviewing summer interns and have started reviewing applicants for the part time constituent advocate role that’s opening up this summer, so keep an eye out for introductions to new members of the team. If you want to schedule one of our team to come to your block club or organization to share ways our office can be a resource for your neighbors (or want to schedule me for a summer event), reach out with details at info@repcassidy.com and we’ll get on it!

Need to Know Info

Last chance to get in your applications for the 14th District Small Business Security Infrastructure Grant! The application closes on April 30th at 3pm!

Click here to be taken to the grant application website! If you have any questions contact our office at info@repcassidy.com.

You can find out more information and view a recording of an informational webinar on the grant website: www.14sbsig.org.

As the academic year draws to a close, Loyola will prepare to move out 5,000 students in residence halls and host commencement for excited graduates. Move out will take place Monday, April 28 - Monday, May 5, 2025 with commencement taking place Tuesday, May 6 - Saturday, May 10.

To learn more about how this period will impact you, click HERE!

Neighborhood Shoutout

Beloved former Andersonville staple Hamburger Mary's is reopening in Edgewater! The business made the announcement on their socials over the weekend, without an exact address specified, but with the indication that it will open in late summer. The former location was on Clark and Balmoral and was an iconic storefront for over a decade! To check in on updates regarding this exciting development, check out their Instagram by clicking HERE!

District Events

Join The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce for Andersonville’s second Valborg celebration on Wednesday, April 30 from 5-8pm at Chicago Waldorf School!

Valborg is a cherished Swedish tradition that welcomes spring and bids farewell to the long winter. At its heart, it is a comforting bonfire, where communities gather to burn away the worries of the past and start spring anew.

In honor of Earth Month, they are featuring eco-friendly organizations. Enjoy Saving Spring, a puppet show by Gamelan Naga Biru (6-7pm), followed by traditional songs from the Chicago Swedish Mixed Chorus (7pm). The evening concludes with a fire poetry performance by the Typewritualist Coelti (7:20PM).

To RSVP for this event, click HERE!

Join Rogers Park Business Alliance for a fun-filled Día del Niño celebration with Colectivo Clark! As part of Camino Clark’s Cultural District Designation, this event honors our community’s Mexican heritage with hands-on activities for kids, including piñata-making, salsa recipe creation, a collective art piece, and more!

Don’t miss this family-friendly cultural celebration!

Únete a RPBA para una divertida celebración del Día del Niño con Colectivo Clark. Como parte de la Designación del Distrito Cultural de Camino Clark, este evento honra la herencia mexicana de nuestra comunidad con actividades interactivas para niños, incluyendo creación de piñatas, elaboración de recetas de salsa, una obra de arte colectiva y más.

¡No te pierdas esta celebración cultural para toda la familia! 

This event will be held at 7056 N Clark St from 4-7 pm on April 30th. For more information, click HERE!

Registration for Artists of the Wall will take place on May 1, 3, and 5, starting at 8AM. May 1 and 3 will be first come, first serve. Spots are usually filled within a few minutes, so try and get yours when they open! To make the event more accessible this year, they will be having a lottery that is open on May 5 from 8AM to 5PM. Only one lottery entry will be allowed per family. Fifty participants will be chosen and notified that they have been selected and will need to pay within 48 hours of receipt of their notification.

Registration costs are $35 per spot and $8 for paint. 

You can find their Registration Page here.

Rogers Park Business Alliance is beginning its First Friday Music Series starting Friday, May 2nd, from 6 to 7 pm at various stages on Sheridan Rd. between Devon and Pratt. The evening will feature exciting live music on local business patios!

At 6 pm

Cafe Nova - Vivian Garcia

Loyola Plaza - Mossy Stones and a giant crossword activation

Great Wall - Maja Rios

At 7 pm

Cafe Nova - Nicholas Barron

Loyola Plaza - Mossy Stones and a giant crossword activation

The Edgewater Glen Association is hosting a Spring Plant Swap on Saturday, May 3rd from 10 am to 12 pm at 1430 W Norwood! Bring any extra plants you might have and swap them out for new ones in time for the growing season! In case of rain, they will meet the next day, Sunday, May 4th, at the same time and location.

To learn more about the Edgewater Glen Association and their other events, click HERE!

Rogers Park Business Alliance is hosting "Mercadito" on May 3rd from 10 am to 3 pm at 7056 N Clark St. Shop one-of-a-kind goods including jewelry, artwork, artisanal candy, pottery, baked goods, accessories, stationery, home items, and even cat toys — all created by local entrepreneurs and artists. Whether you’re gift-hunting or just love to browse, this is your chance to support small businesses and find something truly special.

To learn more about this event, click HERE!

The Andersonville Wine Walk will take place on Sunday, May 4th! Now in its 20th year, Wine Walk turns businesses throughout the district into wine tasting destinations! 

Check in location: 1554 W Hollywood

Check in between 1PM-4:30PM. If you do not check in by 4:30PM, the tickets will be released at the check in location on a first come, first served basis.

No Refunds or exchanges. This event is rain or shine.

Routes are subject to change.

To purchase tickets, click HERE!

Friends of Edgewater Library and the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Libraries are partnering to bring you a family origami night with guest instructor Ty Yamamoto.

Ty Yamamoto is a Chicago-based filmmaker, photographer and Japanese teacher with a passion for origami. He has taught origami lessons to people of all ages, bringing the traditional Japanese art form to people all over the world.

You can scan the QR Code above or go here to register for the event.

Tuesday May 6th at 6:30pm.

Edgewater Library 6000 N Broadway

The Glenwood Sunday Market is hosting its Spiral Into Spring: A Flourishing Soirée on Friday, May 9th from 7 to 9 pm at The Rhapsody Theater (1328 W Morse). This soirée benefits the Glenwood Sunday Market's food access program which doubles LINK customers' dollars spent at the market! The evening will feature live music, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks!

For more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities, click HERE!

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!

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce has announced their annual Midsommar Fest's lineup! The fest will take place June 13-15 and will feature over 100 artists who will take over five stages for a weekend of music, dance, and community as they welcome in Chicago’s most beautiful season.

They are thrilled to welcome back returning favorites like MIIRRORS, Madame Reaper, Justice Hill, Bev Rage & the Drinks, and S@n!c Healing. Say Halla Sommar! to exciting new additions including 7000apart, Mario Abney & The Abney Effect, Manasseh Croft, Triplets of Gonzo, Yasser Tejeda, and so many more!

 They’re also dropping even more headliner news:

 Ariana DJ returns to the Summerdale Stage on Friday at 9PM.

Musical theater legend Anthony Rapp takes over Summerdale on Sunday at 6PM!

To learn more about this event, click HERE!

As the community partner to the Chicago Park District's Osterman Beach Natural Area, Edgewater Environmental Coalition volunteers restore and maintain natural dune and open sand habitats. These spaces allow beach-goers to discover and appreciate the beauty of nature in its many forms.

Volunteer Workdays take place on Sundays and are led by trained Community Stewards. Activities differ by site and time of year, and can include tasks such as litter pickup, trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, native plant installation, as well as nature-based activities like birding and plant identification walks.

There are accessible places off paved pathways to sit; with water, bike racks, and restrooms right by the meeting place. The activities take place in mostly flat and sandy areas that may be difficult to traverse for people with mobility challenges.

Parking in the area is very limited to what you can find on nearby streets. Biking, walking, carpooling, or public transit is recommended.

Contact volunteer Community Stewards Renee and Jim at ostermanbeachnaturalarea@gmail.com with questions.

Follow along through their Facebook page.

Sign up for the Osterman Beach stewardship volunteer mailing list on this form.

Interested in helping with watering trees? You can sign up here

To learn more about this opportunity, click HERE!

Theatre

Curious Theatre Branch is proud to present the world premiere of The Infinity Play, written by Paul William Brennan and directed by Brennan and Maya Odim, April 25 – May 18, at Jarvis Square Theatre, 1439 W. Jarvis Ave.

In ten interconnecting scenes of different times, places and proportions, a pair of players take turns to clean up the mess the preceding players made, but end up making a bigger mess for the players after them. 

The performance schedule is Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. The running time is 90 minutes with no intermission. Tickets for The Infinity Play are on sale at CuriousTheatreBranch.com. Tickets are priced on a “pay what you can” scale, with a suggested price of $20. 

The Story Theatre is back at the Raven Theatre with a reimagining of At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen by Governing Ensemble member Terry Guest, directed by Mikael Burke.

Courtney Berringers would like to welcome you to her wake! But—make no mistake—this ain’t your grandma’s funeral. Loosely based on the life and death of playwright Terry Guest’s Uncle Anthony, At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen is a one-act, two-hander play set in 2004 that centers Blackness, southern queerness, and the fine art of drag. From African gods and goddesses to Trina and Whitney Houston, At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen thoughtfully uses storytelling, drama and drag to explore identity, illness, and the narratives we construct for ourselves. Come party at the wake. Bring your own heels!

Running until May 11th at Raven Theatre

6157 N Clark St

You can find tickets here.

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.

Youth & Teen

Click image above for full flyer with more information

Chicago Builds is a hands-on, citywide construction training program for rising 11th and 12th grade CPS and charter students interested in the building trades.

Program Highlights:

Earn up to 5 high school credits

Gain technical and industry certifications

Union exam prep, paid summer internships, dual credit options

Specialized training in carpentry or electricity (Level II)

Program site: Dunbar Vocational Career Academy

🗓️ Application Deadline: June 2025

📍 Info sessions (in-person & virtual): Now through May 7

👉 Apply & learn more: CPS.edu/ChicagoBuilds

Click image above for full flyer with more information and working links

A two-year training program for current high school sophomores interested in careers in public safety, law enforcement, fire science, and criminal justice.

Eligibility:

Must live in Chicago and be a current 10th grader

Strong attendance and GPA recommended

Weekly training from September to May

Includes physical exam, background check, and recommendation letters

🗓️ Application Deadline: Friday, May 2, 2025

👉 Apply: Here

Refugee Education & Adventure Challenge (REACH) is pleased to open up registration for their 2025 Summer Adventure Camp. Eligible youth are refugee and asylum-seeking youth (boys and girls) between the ages of 10 and 18, who primarily live in Chicago's north side neighborhoods (Rogers Park, West Ridge, Albany Park, Edgewater) or nearby suburbs. This year, they will offer four weeks of day camps, two overnight camping trips, and a multi-night extended sleepaway camp. Youths can register for one week of day camp or more. Registration will close once they reach capacity (30 youth slots per weekly session) or on June 13th. 

Summer Adventure Day Camp Sessions:  They will offer four weekly day camp sessions (Mon-Thurs, 10 am - 4 pm) during which REACH participants will engage in adventure sports and place-based education activities such as archery, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, nature hikes, fishing, forest restoration, and river clean-ups. [REACH will coordinate bus or van transportation based on enrollees' residential neighborhoods. In some cases, participants may need to get transport to the pick-up location.]

Session One: July 7 - July 10

Session Two: July 14 - July 17

Session Three: August 4 - August 7

Session Four: August 11 - August 14

Summer Adventure Overnight Camping Trips:  They will offer two overnight (1 night / 2-days) tent camping trips (one girls only, one boys only) and one extended sleep-away camp (3 nights/4 days) including team building activities (scavenger hunts, improv skits), nature education (macroinvertebrate investigations, outdoor cooking, habitat assessments), adventure sports (kayaking, climbing, hiking), and leadership development (problem solving, cooperative learning). [REACH will transport all participating youth via van or charter bus rentals.] 

Co-Ed Sleep-Away Camp: Sunday - Wednesday, July 27 - July 30, 2025

Girls' Only Camping Trip: Fri-Sat, July 11-12, 2025

Boys' Only Camping Trip: Fri-Sat: August 8-9, 2025

Family Picnic & Award Ceremony: This is an end-of-summer celebration for all participating youth and their family members. 

Family Picnic: Sunday, August 24, 12-3 PM

If you have eligible refugee or asylum-seeking youth who may want to participate, please fill out the preliminary registration form here - REACH Summer 2025 Pre-Registration Form, and they will schedule home visits with each family to complete the registration interview process.

Remember: all camps are FREE, but registration will be limited to 30 youth per weekly session. Registration closes on June 13, 2025 or when camps reach capacity. 

Specific questions about summer camp registration can be directed to Shana Wills at swills@reachinchicago.org or Ellie Hease at ehease@reachinchicago.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

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.

If you are looking for new career opportunities, consider the MWRD. Visit their online employment center to apply and learn more about the job and the selection process.

Find contracting and employment opportunities at O’Hare and Midway airports at the Chicago Department of Aviation’s Airport Expo and Job Fair, free for attendees on Thursday, May 1 at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road.

Business representatives will recruit candidates to fill cargo, concessions, construction, security and other positions at all experience levels — with some hiring on the spot! Small business owners will learn how to obtain city certification and enter the airport business.

Access the UIC Forum via CTA Blue Line (UIC-Halsted), #12 Roosevelt bus, or #8 Halsted bus.

Register: flychicago.com/airportexpo

The Department of Children and Family Services is hosting a job fair on Thursday, May 15th, from 10 am to 2 pm at The Smith Park Fieldhouse (2526 W Grand)! The event is free to attend and will feature numerous recruiters and hiring managers who are hiring for full-time, part-time, and internship positions. Opportunities to take professional headshots are also available. This is a great opportunity to network with other job seekers!

To register for this event, click HERE! 

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

1507 W. Morse Ave

Chicago IL 60626