Kelly's Update

Last week mostly included getting a sense of how first drafts of bills were received. About half of the introduced bills had been assigned to substantive committees by the end of last week, so I expect the volume to increase pretty dramatically over the next couple of weeks before the March 21st deadline for House bills to advance out of committee.

I presented my first bill of the 104th General Assembly on February 25th. Every time I approach the witness table with a bill, it’s a privilege I never want to take for granted. I was happy to introduce HB1715 that will remove some archaic statutory language that granted the Department of Children and Family Services the authority to house their own police department. No director of DCFS in decades has seen fit to house a police department, believing instead in investing in resources to support families and building trust. Our bill will remove that authorizing language, plain and simple. I have a long working relationship with the new DCFS Director Heidi Mueller. Her track record reforming the Department of Juvenile Justice is impressive, but her understanding that her ability to make change in the juvenile justice space is limited by lack of progress in the child protective space gives me more hope for real improvement at DCFS than I’ve felt in my time in office. Removing this language clarifies the mission of DCFS and I’m glad to play a small role in helping Director Mueller make change in the department.

Last week we also held an informal learning session for members and staff of the Restorative Justice and Public Safety Committee. Dr. Elena Quintana of the Adler School of Professional Psychology Institute on Public Safety & Social Justice shared background information on the foundations of restorative justice and how it’s applied practically in different settings such as schools, courts, and workplaces. This week, we’ll begin to explore some of the bills assigned to the committee. 

Our leadership bill review and Rules Committee processes continue and we’ve been assured by leadership that the pace of getting bills assigned to committee for hearings will pick up. We’ve been hearing from advocates and stakeholders concerned about whether their bills will be heard and have been assured that bills in the first year of the General Assembly will all be released from Rules and assigned to a substantive committee. I expect to see a lot of movement on bill assignments this week and will post pertinent updates about assignments for bills we’ve heard about from constituents as well as my agenda this session.

The Dobbs Working Group will have our first formal meeting this week and will be reviewing bills proposed by members and stakeholders while also checking in with providers to gauge the impact of executive orders and agency actions on services. I am grateful that this working group has allowed for strong avenues of communication between policymakers, providers, and patients to be built so that we are better equipped to adapt to a very unstable landscape. 

As always, keep an eye on our socials for updates during session.

Need to Know Info

The application for our grant is officially open! Click here to be taken to our website to apply! If you have any questions, please join us for an interactive webinar hosted by Rogers Park Business Alliance to learn how to apply to the 14th District Small Business Security Infrastructure Grant. Registration for webinar is not required.

Webinar 2: Wednesday, March 5 at 9:30am



Webinars will be recorded and available for review. Questions? Contact our office at info@repcassidy.com You can find the links to the webinars on the grant website www.14sbsig.org

When: Wednesday, March 5 at 3 - 4pm English; 4 - 5pm Spanish

Where: GROW/PROGRESANDO Entrepreneurial Training Center

7056 N. Clark St.

Join Chicago Police Department and Rogers Park Business Alliance for an essential workshop to strengthen your business. The workshop will help business owners understand the importance of a safe work environment.

Key topics include:

• reporting crimes
• preventing fraud
• implementing security strategies

There will be two workshops. The 3 - 4 pm workshop will be presented in English. The 4 - 5 pm workshop will be presented in Spanish.

Our office will also share information for the 14th District Small Business Security Infrastructure Grant!

Join Vivent Health + TPAN as they create a welcoming space for open discussions addressing questions and misconceptions surrounding PrEP while promoting preventive health strategies in a supportive environment. The discussion will be facilitated by experienced HIV providers and the Vivent Health + TPAN HIV prevention team. Learn how PrEP works, the options available and PrEP for women. Light refreshments and networking will follow the discussion. 

Featuring: John Stryker, Nurse Practitioner, Vivent Health + TPAN

Stephanie Peterson, Prevention Specialist, Vivent Health + TPAN

Samantha A. Devlin, MS, Research Project Manager, PACT, UIC Medicine

This event will include social-educational activities provided by CFAR.

Funding was provided by the Third Coast Center for AIDS Research in Chicago - an NIH-supported collaboration between Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and Community Partners.

Register at https://lu.ma/dmfw4hgj

To accommodate the recent surge in demand, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias introduced a new designated “Get A REAL ID” portal on the homepage of the ilsos.gov website.

This enables Illinoisans to determine:

1) if they need a REAL ID before the May 7 federal enforcement period begins; and

2) how to find a walk-in location or schedule an appointment near them.

The office has also announced new Saturday hours at 12 DMV facilities exclusively for REAL ID services and expanded Saturday hours at six DMVs beginning March 1 through May 10.

Tax season is here and there’s a better way to do your taxes this year thanks to IRS Direct File. This simple, secure, and always FREE tool is available to eligible tax filers in Illinois to file both your federal and state tax returns. We're excited that Illinoisans are among the 32 million Americans who will be able to file their taxes online for free this tax season using Direct File - proof that investing in the IRS

pays off for taxpayers. While not all states have opted in, thanks to dedicated efforts by the leaders in our state, Illinois is one of 25 states participating in this initiative in 2025.

Visit directfile.irs.gov to get started.

Community organizations and leaders understand how the changing political climate impacts the community. These leaders will need resources and support to respond, so Chicago Foundation for Women created a Rapid Response Fund to support these leaders. This funding opportunity will provide grants for grassroots organizations adapting and responding to the changing environment, protecting and defending our fundamental rights.

Please review the CFW's Rapid Response Fund Guidelines and access the application on CFW’s Grant Portal.

More information for how to apply can be found at www.cfw.org/how-to-apply. 

Neighborhood Shoutout

For nearly 8 years, Andersonville Staple Cowboys & Astronauts has graced our district with its creative take on menswear, self-care, and home goods. They have been a fixture of the Clark Street business scene and our office is quite sad to see them go but happy to see them move on to new, exciting ventures! Additionally, the owners are seeking to find motivated entrepreneurs to carry on the legacy and name of the business! Serious applicants should contact hello@cowboysandastronauts.com.

Thank you to blockclubchicago for reporting on this story. You can read the story about this business by clicking HERE.

District Events

The Jesse Brown Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center Mobile Health Unit will be available to veterans on Tuesday, March 4 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway.

The Mobile Health Unit will offer veterans free health check-ups and screenings, immunizations, blood pressure checks, memory evaluations, referrals to resources, a social worker and more. These services will be provided on a walk-in basis; no appointment is needed. Bring your Veteran ID. If you have questions, please call (312) 569-5449.

The mobile health unit is hosted by Edgewater Village Chicago, a volunteer, nonprofit organization that offers free programs, activities, and resources to engage and support older adults.

The Gerber/Hart Library and Archives has a new exhibit called "Forbidden Love at the Desert's Edge" from artist Hal Shipman at the Sandfield Exhibition Gallery through April 26th! "Forbidden Love at the Desert's Edge" presents Hal Shipman’s innovative photography-based work, inspired by found archives. The exhibit includes selections from the Gerber/Hart collections; featuring hidden stories, precious found artifacts and loves denied.

This free, nonpartisan program will help you determine who to contact in government based on what you need. We’ll review the complexities of local, state, and federal government and explain how and when to call your representatives, what to say, and why it matters.

Presented by Meghan Leonard, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Politics and Government, Illinois State University.

This program is a partnership between Friends of the Edgewater Library and the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library.

10 a.m. on Saturday, March 15 

Edgewater Branch library, 6000 N. Broadway 

Howard & Evanston Community Center is hosting a job fair on April 16th. Do you have a business that is looking to meet with some great hiring candidates? You can register to table at their hiring fair at the Willye B White Park on April 16th, from 10:00am-2:00pm by scanning the qr code above.

Theatre

The Factory Theatre (1623 W. Howard St) is showing a new production called Kitty James and Destiny's Trail to Oregon that runs from Friday, February 21st through Saturday March 29th.

From Factory Theatre's website:

Kitty James, the Coffee Queen of Independence, MO, is heading West to find her fortune, but a mysterious medallion and an ancient prophecy may lead her down a different path in this hilarious homage to classic adventure films and text-based historical games.

**They are rating this production PG-13. Bring children at your discretion.

To purchase tickets, click HERE.

The Raven Theatre (6157 N Clark) is showing a new production of A Lie of The Mind from February 13th to March 22nd!

From the Raven Theatre's Website:

The full moon over the highway. A pay phone call in the middle of the night. And a terrible act of violence that forever changes the trajectory of eight people’s lives. Sam Shepard’s A Lie of the Mind follows two families, connected by marriage, as they grapple with the pain and fear of loving and living. Famous for his imagery, language, and tour-de-force roles for actors, Shepard’s plays dig deep into the ideas of family, destiny, and American idealism. Raven’s production, directed by Azar Kazemi, deepens the questions at the heart of the play by layering an Immigrant story on top of the already searing critique of the American Dream at the heart of this American Classic.

To purchase tickets, click HERE!

Theatre Above The Law's latest production is Jeff Recommended! You can catch their world premiere of Greta Geiser's The Pyg Hypothesis at the Jarvis Square Theater (1439 W. Jarvis).

LGTBQ+ couple Dr. Henrietta Higgins and Professor Quinn Pickering are tasked with transforming sheltered cis male, Elijah, into a “proper” ally of the community.

Cast includes: Abby Gilster, Sara Wisterman, Kara Rivera, Elliot Lockshine, Isabella Labove, Eric Norman & JayCey Carlson.

You can purchase tickets here.

Lifeline Theatre’s Kid 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. 

Seasonal Events

R Public House (1508 W Jarvis) is hosting a Mardi Gras celebration on Tuesday, March 4th! Get ready for food specials inspired by New Orleans flavors, Hurricane cocktails flowing all night, and festive fun that'll transport you straight to Bourbon Street. Beads and masks are encouraged!

Celebrate Fat Tuesday at Charmers Cafe! They will have a whole menu of delicious Paczki available for the occasion. Get there early to try one of these special pastries, limit of 4 per person.

Charmers Cafe

1500 W Jarvis Ave.

7:00am-5:00pm

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Emmanuel Congregation, is hosting the Purim Festival on March 16th from 10 am to 2 pm at the Bramble Arts Loft (5545 N Clark).

Included at the event will be the following events:

• Arts & crafts (Make your own masks and noisemakers for Purim story time)
• Fun games & activities with plenty of prizes!
• A hands-on Hamantaschen-making experience with Buy The Pound Bakery—take yours home, ready to bake!
• Jewish drag bubbie Merriam Levkovitz leading a live Purim story time
• A special Purim presentation by Emanuel Congregation at 10AM in the Bramble cabaret, and more!

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased HERE

Youth & Teen

Are you between 16-24 years old and passionate about making a difference in your Chicago community? Or do you have young people in your life who would enjoy this opportunity? Here’s your chance to get involved with something big. The Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago is looking for a diverse group of young people to help plan and shape the Youth Health Conference happening on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This conference is all about bringing young people and adult allies together to talk about important health issues like mental health, LGBTQ+ health, substance use prevention, harm reduction, preventing homelessness, HIV awareness, justice system impacts, and other systems that impact youth's well-being.

Interested? You can apply by filling out an online form or scheduling a time to meet with the team. You only need to complete one of these tasks to apply.

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is excited to bring together ALL THINGS KIDS on Saturday, March 15. This FREE event is intended for parents, caregivers, and the like to learn about summer camps and year-round youth programming. Interested in tabling or sponsoring the fair? Please email info@andersonville.org.

Performance Schedule

10AM | Mr. Ray

10:30AM | Merry Music Makers

11AM| Laura Doherty

11:30AM | Chicago Tap Theatre

12PM | Floriography Fellows

12:30PM | Theatre games with MAYO

To see a list of participating businesses click here.

To RSVP Click Here.

Apply Now for Your Perfect Summer Job in the Parks – for Ages 16+!

Earn a paycheck, make friends, keep active, have fun, and make a difference by working in the parks! A variety of employment opportunities are available at the Chicago Park District this summer to suit all interests, schedules, and experience levels. These positions offer competitive wages, opportunities to build life skills, flexible work schedules, and pathways to careers and year-round employment. Another plus: working indoors and outdoors, depending on the position, and having summer nights off. Positions available for Chicago residents ages 16 and older include Lifeguard, Recreation Leader (for Day Camp), and Junior Laborer (landscape maintenance). Additional positions are available for ages 18+. 

Learn more & apply now.

The Broadway Armory has published their 2025 open gym schedule! Be sure to call them at 312-742-7502 for more information.

Job Openings

Greencorps Chicago is the City of Chicago’s green-industry employment program with on-the-job training for individuals with barriers to employment.

Greencorps Chicago promotes environmental stewardship and improves the quality of life in Chicago by establishing, maintaining, and restoring natural and public spaces that are safe, healthy, and sustainable through hands-on involvement with program participants.

The outcome is healthier, safer, and more engaged communities and individuals who are prepared for employment through practical field experience and technical training in a variety of environmentally related jobs.

Greencorps Chicago is a public/private partnership between the Chicago Department of Transportation and WRD Environmental.

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 the next presentation (English and Spanish available)

Each year, the Illinois Secretary of State's office awards 100 grants for Adult Volunteer, Family and Workplace Literacy programming. One-on-one tutoring is essential to the success of the thousands of students enrolled in these programs.

Tutors are needed throughout Illinois. Volunteer to tutor basic math, reading, writing or English acquisition and the Illinois Literacy Foundation will refer you to one of our partners statewide.

Send your name, email, and zip code to info@illinoisliteracy.org or inquire HERE.

The Misericordia community needs hard-working, dependable, compassionate and motivated individuals to give of themselves to help enrich the lives of our residents. They offer a highly competitive salary and an excellent benefits package in addition to paid training for employees hired as Direct Support Professionals and Certified Nursing Assistants who have passed their state boards or have state boards pending!

To see positions available and to apply click here.

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

1507 W. Morse Ave

Chicago IL 60626