Kelly's Update

Welcome to the Friday ride home from Springfield. This has been an incredibly long week, and I am very thankful to be headed home. We started the week having not really passed more than a handful of bills out of the chamber, so we very much had our work cut out for us. Today was the deadline to pass bills out of the House before we returned to the district for a week at home where many of us will be celebrating Passover and Easter. Our session ran long on Wednesday, so I missed the traditional Seder at the Governor’s mansion, but I’m excited to join with some of my oldest friends on Saturday for a vegetarian Seder. I’m not sure if I’m invited for my company or if it’s just a craving for my vegetarian kishke, but I’m excited to see everyone.

We began the session with assurances that we would not be subjected to bill limits and that we would bring back the practice of utilizing an agreed bill list, or consent calendar, to make things move more efficiently. Consent calendars are a great tool for passage of routine bills that pass unanimously. After the committee deadline, we were informed that we would be limited to 5 bills and there would be no use of the consent calendar, throwing a lot of folks into a mad dash to make sure that bills that were promised to advocates or agencies could be transferred to a new sponsor with fewer bills to work on. For my part, two of my highest priority bills had also been introduced in the Senate so there was no need to move the House versions. But that still left me with some tough decisions to get from 11 to 5 bills. I thought I’d gotten it figured out when one bill that I’ve been working on for several years caught a little unexpected momentum when negotiations over the rights of victims of gender based violence as compared to corporate victims of organized retail theft heated up and my colleague Ann Williams was able to step into present the bill on the floor where it passed over to the Senate where the discussions are expected to continue on a few remaining details. By the end of the week, we passed 378 bills over to the Senate.

In addition to the challenge of moving so many bills through the chamber, there were two non-legislative moments on the floor that I want to share. On Monday, I led a series of tributes to a man who has spent most of his career in the Capitol who is now in hospice after a four year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive and deadly cancer that’s taken people I love already. One after another, six of us stood to share our tributes to Matt Jones of the Office of the Illinois State Appellate Prosecutor while some of his coworkers sat in the Speaker’s Gallery to observe. I talked about meeting Matt very early in my career, our unlikely friendship as he was at the time the staff attorney for the Republican majority in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the decades we’d spent finding common ground while building a beautiful friendship that I will forever treasure. One by one, members from both sides of the aisle and from all over the state spoke to Matt’s character, his dedication to our state and to service, and our shared belief that we need more of what Matt brings to the table in our work. Matt’s wife was able to live stream our tribute so Matt could hear firsthand how big of a hole he will leave. The Senate, where Matt served as staff, followed suit on Tuesday when they convened and again Matt was able to receive his flowers while he was able to enjoy them. 

I had learned earlier in the week that the staff member I work closely with on the Dobbs Working Group and much of my work for survivors of sexual assault, Jackson Paller, was turning 30. With a little bit of effort, my co conspirators and I were able to pull off an epic birthday surprise. First, we arranged for him to serve as parliamentarian for the day so he would not only definitely be in the chamber, but he’d actually be on the podium for the session. Then, I procured a bunch of party horns and got to the floor early to distribute them and explain the plan to surprise Jackson. Finally, I needed to throw him off the scent for a minute as I’d heard he was suspicious about the schedule change. I sought recognition right after we gaveled in for the day and I could see him tense up. Instead of jumping right into Jackson’s birthday, I started by talking about how serving or working in the General Assembly often means missing out on special moments with family and talked about it being my oldest son’s 24th birthday. As Jackson visibly relaxed, I said that the cool thing about all of us being together and missing out on stuff at home is that we also get to build a family of sorts in our Capitol and invited everyone to join me in wishing Jackson a happy 30th birthday while everyone blew their horns! 

We are home for the week as many are celebrating Passover and Easter. When we go back to session on Tuesday the 22nd, we’ll begin work on the bills that the Senate passed over to us before the deadline. So far, I’ve picked up five bills, two of which were bills that I’ve already been working on but started in the Senate and negotiations will continue as we finish up on outstanding issues over the next couple of weeks. One of the bills I sent over will likely be coming back with an amendment due to ongoing talks as well. 

Here are the bills I passed over to the Senate: 

HB2584 which prohibits insurers from imposing prior authorization requirements on HIV/AIDS treatment or prevention medications.

HB2589 which clarifies that patients who have prescriptions for injectable medications are entitled to also purchase clean needles.

HB3352 which protects survivors of domestic violence from collection actions connected to coerced debt.

HB3710 which prohibits law enforcement from using deceptive investigative tactics when interviewing victims.

HB3711 which represents the ongoing work to hold hospital systems accountable for failing to protect patients from sexual abuse by medical professionals. This remains an ongoing negotiation and will come back on concurrence.

In next week’s newsletter, I’ll share information on the bills I’ve picked up from the Senate. Meanwhile, I’m planning my garden for the year, adding some raised beds, exploring some new techniques this year (laundry hamper potatoes anyone?), and hoping to increase our harvests so I can get more food canned and frozen this year!

Need to Know Info

Our office is hiring a Constituent Advocate! Our current Constituent Advocate, Carlos, will be moving onto new endeavors come this summer and we are looking to hire his replacement.

The role is part-time with an hourly rate of $20/hour. For more information, please see the job description above.

Please direct resumes and any questions to State Representative Cassidy’s Chief of Staff, Taylor Ortiz (taylor@repcassidy.com). We will be scheduling interviews on a rolling basis, so submit your resumes ASAP!

Be sure to get your applications in for the 14th District Small Business Security Infrastructure Grant! Applications close on April 30th.

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.

Join the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) and your Northside elected officials this Wednesday, April 16th at 6 PM for an informative virtual seminar focused on Weather and Climate-related Property and Casualty Insurance. This seminar will provide valuable insights into common homeowners, renters, and condo insurance coverages, and highlight critical gaps that are often overlooked, such as flood, sewage backup, and earthquake protection. 

RSVP now to secure your spot. Once you RSVP, the Webex link will be sent closer to the event date.

We encourage you to attend this important seminar to gain valuable knowledge and protect your property!

The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is reopening their Rental Assistance Program (RAP)! RAP provides financial assistance to Chicagoans at risk of homelessness due to back due rent related to a loss of income or other eligible emergency.



For more information or to apply online you can click here.

For in-person support, you can visit a DFSS Community Service Center.

April is Financial Literacy Month. The Illinois Treasurer's Office wants to share with you the Illinois Financial Wellness Hub, an online resource for adults and teens. You can find help at the Hub with everything from affording a home, planning for retirement, understanding Social Security benefits, to building an emergency fund.  

There are resources for young adults to soon to be retired folks. In addition to an online library of over 120 financial topics, Illinoisans also have free access to Certified Personal Finance Coaches.  

You can create a secure and free account, complete a checkup, and receive personalized recommendations about how you can get a better handle on your own finances. If you know someone who might benefit, please share it with them.  

And, if you are looking for something fun for your own child, friend, or neighbor, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’s office provided librarians throughout the state with their own toolkits. Please check with your local library and see if April’s programs are of interest.  

Please feel free to reach out to their office with any questions. If you have questions specifically about the Financial Wellness Hub, please contact Maggie Owen with the Illinois State Treasurer’s office at mowen@illinoistreasurer.gov or (217) 720-0677. 

The City Clerk is bringing back City Sticker Amnesty Month this April! That means from April 1st-30th, you can purchase a City Sticker with no late fees and back charges from April 1-30, 2025! For more information, visit www.chicityclerk.com/AmnestyMonth.

The City also launched two critical debt relief initiatives this month. From April to June, all motorists, regardless of income, can pay a base fine—with penalties and fees fully waived—to waive eligible tickets as long as full payment is made by June 30, 2025. Eligible violations include:

• Non-meter parking tickets and standing violations.
• Compliance violations (e.g., expired registration, no City sticker, or missing license plate).
• Automated speed and red-light camera tickets.
• A Notice of Final Determination must have been issued on or before December 31, 2023.

No application is required—eligible tickets have been adjusted and will reflect the applicable waivers until June 30th 2025. To learn more about these programs and to search or pay for tickets, visit: www.Chicago.gov/VDR or call (312) 744-7275 (Monday – Friday, 7 AM–7 PM).

Penalties and fees are waived are also waived for property owners and businesses for any eligible commercial public way use violations if full payment is made by June 30, 2025. Eligible violations include:

• Failure to pay required driveway permit fees.
• Failure to secure a permit to use or build on the public way.
• Improper construction of driveways over sidewalks.

Violations must have a final order entered by the Department of Administrative Hearings on or before December 31, 2023. For assistance with the Commercial Driveway & Signs Violation Debt Relief Program, please contact Heller & Frisone, Ltd. at (312) 236-3644.

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

Debora Masterson introducing Above and Beyond: The Story of Cpl. William T. Perkins Jr.

Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth saying a few words before the screening.

Dennis Antal, Michael Cole, and John Matysak from the film, joining the audience for a post-screening Q&A!

This past Friday, Rogers Park's very own Debora Masterson screened her documentary ABOVE AND BEYOND: The Story of Cpl. William T. Perkins Jr. at Chicago Filmmakers in Andersonville. The film tells the story of William Perkins Jr., a young combat photographer during the Vietnam War who would save the lives of 3 of his fellow marines from a grenade by sacrificing himself, in 1967 Perkins was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, becoming the only combat photographer to receive the honor. Although Deborah and her late partner, Craig Ingraham, made the film in 2008 they could not find a distributor, until this year when PBS picked it up for distribution in January. The film has since taken off and the screening this past Friday was a success!

Deborah showed the film for community members and then hosted a Zoom Q&A afterwards featuring John Matysak, an original crew member, as well as Dennis Antal and Michael Cole, two veterans featured in the film whose lives were impacted by Perkins' actions that day. The audience was engaged and very moved, asking great questions and getting great insights! We are very thankful to Dennis, Michael, and John for taking the time to speak to us and to Deborah for arranging this screening to share this film with our community!

Fundraisers & Surveys

The Leone Beach Park Advisory Council is looking to gather data on paddling usage on Lake Michigan! With Leone Beach being a designated paddle craft and non-motorized boat launch site, it is imperative that they have data to understand the launching point's usage.

To complete this survey, click HERE!

District Events

Come to Jarvis Square on Saturday, April 19th at 10 am for a springtime egg hunt and an interactive musical experience! Jarvis Square businesses will also be open during the egg hunt, so be sure to stop on by!

For more information, click HERE.

Saturday April 19th, S&C Electric Company is hosting an electronics recycling event in partnership with the 40th and 49th Wards from 10am to 2pm. You can drop off any electronics you'd like to recycle at 6601 N Ridge Ave, including printers, computers, video game consoles, scanners, cell phones, tablets, televisions, cables and cords, fax machines, computer mice, etc.

Wild Onion Market is hosting the Chicago premiere of General Manager Matt Wechsler's latest documentary at Living Water Church. The film is a modern-day take on Upton Sinclair's 1906 novel, revealing centuries of greed and exploitation in America's meat industry.

Doors will open at 6:30PM and the film begins at 7PM. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Director Matt Wechsler and film subject Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin.

April 22, 2025 from 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Living Water Community Church

6808 N Ashland Ave

Tickets are free, but have a suggested donation of $15.

To RSVP click here.

On Saturday, April 26th, parks across the city will be hosting Earth Day Cleanup events with numerous opportunities for you to get involved. The City of Chicago has been putting on events like this for 40 years and is hoping to make this year's the biggest one yet with events expanding to even more parks!

To learn how to find existing park cleanups, click HERE!

To see this information presented as a map, click HERE!

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!

The Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest (GAAF) is a much-anticipated annual tradition in the Rogers Park neighborhood, showcasing the work of over 130 artists and more than two dozen music and dance performances, as well as live arts demonstrations, an activities area for kids, and open studios. Attendees can browse and buy artwork from over 130 local and visiting artists spanning all genres, from traditional woodworking and ceramics to digital drawing and avant-garde mixed media.

This free, weekend-long community event enables attendees to experience art, music, dance, and more while enjoying food from local eateries on the cobblestone streets of the Glenwood Avenue Arts District, at the intersection of Morse and Glenwood avenues, steps from the Morse CTA Red Line stop.

You can submit your application for the fest 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!

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!

The Rhapsody Theater (1328 W Morse) is hosting its Spiral Into Spring: A Flourishing Soirée on Friday, May 9th from 7 to 9 pm. 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!

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

Rivendell Theatre (5775 N Ridge Ave) is presenting a new production called No Such Thing from March 22-April 27 on Thursdays & Fridays at 8 pm and on Saturdays at 4 pm & 8 pm!

From Rivendell's Website:

Once a sought-after screenwriter, Ren finds herself "a woman of a certain age" at a crossroads of social and professional invisibility. 

The newest play from the writer of Rivendell’s hit productions of The Walls and American Wee-Pie, No Such Thing examines what makes a life story and charts the unpredictable changes in a society that downsizes women out of their most productive years. 

To learn more and purchase tickets, click HERE.

Lifeline Theatre’s Kids Series presents the world premiere of Leaf, based on the beloved picture book by Sandra Dieckmann, March 15 to April 20 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. Adaptor and Lifeline ensemble member Amanda Link teams up with director Nathaniel Niemi to bring audiences a timely world premiere featuring a polar bear on their quest to return home and the young crow who finds it within herself to help them. Leaf centers on our interconnectedness with each other and our planet, and the importance of sharing one’s story. 

PLUS: Join Lifeline Theatre every Sunday at 12:00 p.m. during the run of Leaf (following the 11:00 a.m. show, or before the 1:00 p.m. show) for our Stories Come Alive! hour. Children will enjoy an interactive storytelling session and on-your-feet theatre games. The cost is $10 per child. Reservations are recommended, though not required. Contact Lifeline Theatre at 773-761-4477 for more information. 

Four favorite Beatrix Potter stories, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tailor of Gloucestor, The Tale of Jeremy Fisher, and The Tale of Tom Kitten, come to life in this mesmerizing puppet show, complete with Potter’s original text and live, original music. Various instruments, such as mandolin, violin, toy piano, and banjo, create the score and melodies behind each story. The set is filled with dynamic suitcases and trunks where levers are pulled and cranks are turned to reveal images that surprise and delight. Three charming performers interweave classic narration and puppetry with gentle interactive moments, recruiting the audience to join the adventure and encouraging young watchers to think about these iconic animal characters’ big emotions.

A limited run at Raven Theatre

April 5 - April 20

Performance Times:

Sat & Sun @ 9:30am & 11:30am

You can purchase tickets here.

RUNS MARCH 9 TO APRIL 20, 2025

at Black Ensemble Theater - 4450 N. Clark St | Chicago, IL 60660

Written and Directed by Jackie Taylor

On The surface they were worlds apart.

Elvis grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi and Joe grew up in the Cabrini Green Projects in Chicago.

They were different - but they were very much the same.

You really have to be in the know to understand how Elvis Presley was a Black man named Joe.

Youth & Teen

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.

Job Openings

The Howard & Evanston Community Center is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, April 16th! The job fair will be held in the gymnasium at Willye White Park (1610 W. Howard) and will be from 10AM-2PM. Employers will be hiring for jobs in healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and other sectors.

You can register to attend here.

The American Job Center at Truman College and Harry S. Truman College would like to invite you to their upcoming Career Fair!

Don't miss your chance to connect with top employers and explore your career options!

Spring '25 OneTru Career Fair

Co-hosted by Harry S. Truman College & American Job Center at Truman College 

Monday, April 21, 2025

11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Harry S. Truman College 

Cafeteria in the Main Building

1145 W. Wilson Ave. Chicago, IL 60640.

Register today by clicking HERE.

Free parking is available in the Larry McKeon Parking Complex, located behind the main building. You can access the lot by traveling south from the intersection of Racine Street and Wilson Avenue, located just west of the main building. Additionally, street meter parking is available on Wilson Avenue.

If you have any questions or are having difficulty registering, please contact

Lupe at Lupe.ArceodeCarpintero@equusworks.com

or Indira at Indira.Bukalo@equusworks.com.

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.

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