Kelly's Update

Another busy couple of weeks, both in the district and around the state. I know we’ve been struggling with these heavy rains. I remember when a thunderstorm was an opportunity for a nice nap while listening to the rain rather than a possible household emergency. We are those folks who are outside monitoring the storm drains because our intersection floods so badly. It’s a delicate balance of keeping the drains from completely clogging and causing storm water to rise up from the street all the way to the house while also not forcing too much water into the sewer system at once lest we get backups in the basement. It’s exhausting. Especially knowing that the previous owners of this house restored vintage pianos and string instruments in that basement, so there’s no way it was flooding regularly. We’re exploring all sorts of mitigation options including backflow prevention devices and drainage fields, because what used to be called a hundred year storm is now better known as a day that ends in y, but we love our home and are determined to make this work.

Before the National Conference of State Legislatures took over the city, I was pleased to join with fellow north side electeds and advocates at a reception at The Gerber/Hart Library and Archives to learn more about this underappreciated 14th district treasure. It was fascinating to see collections donated by dear friends like Larry McKeon, the first openly gay member of the General Assembly and Greg Harris, our first openly gay/openly HIV positive House Majority Leader, among others. The library and archives is truly a special place, so scroll down for more information about volunteering, donating books (they take all kinds, including non-lbgtq, for their annual book sale), and otherwise getting involved with a truly unique resource for our community.

I kicked off my National Conference of State Legislatures Summit with a pre-conference reunion of the Youth Justice Fellows, a bipartisan group of state legislators that has been connecting and learning about trends in juvenile justice for the last several years. On Monday, the conference kicked off in earnest and something like 8,000 state legislators, advocates, and subject matter experts descended on McCormick Place for four days of learning and networking, with a little bit of organizational business thrown in as my colleague Assistant Majority Leader Marcus Evans completed his term as NCSL President and handed the gavel off to Sen. Barry Usher of Montana as he started his term as President. Sen. Usher is a member of the Law and Public Safety Standing Committee with me and over the years he and I have gotten to know each other well in spite of our very real differences: he’s a conservative Republican from Montana who prefers Harley gear to business suits and I’m a purple haired lesbian Democrat who has a Legislator of the Year vest from ABATE for my support of motorcycle safety…see, we’re not so different after all!

The conference was a great opportunity to get a chance to see how other states approach common problems. I was pleased to join with my colleague Sen. Elgie Sims on a panel about eliminating cash bond and our state’s Pre-trial Fairness Act. I was also eager to engage with a workshop on how different states manage their district offices as we start the process of figuring out the right policy solutions to address the harms caused by our former colleague Harry Benton. Several members from Illinois joined that meeting and have reached out to the NCSL subject matter experts to examine other state’s policies for promising approaches.

The conference also included an enormous exhibit hall full of booths staffed by advocacy groups, think tanks, software vendors for bill tracking and constituent service management, among too many other things to list. My hands down favorite was the Humane World for Animals booth that featured puppies from the Anti-Cruelty Society. I of course offered to help when it was time to take the puppies downstairs to meet the driver who would take them back to the shelter. It sounds like they got several applications for adoption, so when they’re ready for their forever homes they’ll have families waiting for them! I was just happy to get to cuddle sweet snuggly puppies in the middle of the workday.

All of this was happening against the backdrop of revelations about my former colleague Harry Benton, his case before the Legislative Inspector General, the Legislative Ethics Commission’s decision to publish the report, and the swirling questions about Speaker Welch’s interactions with former Rep. Benton’s first victim. I issued a statement on Friday calling for meaningful change and repair of harm for all of the victims in this case and throughout our workplace. As I’ve said before, the last time we examined our policies relative to sexual harassment and ethics, we still were under the leadership of former Speaker Madigan, who famously left the office vacant for years and argued vociferously against giving an Inspector General too much power and independence lest they “go rogue.” 

I want to make sure that we get it right this time and don’t just do the least we can do, which really has been how we approached ethics and elections reform under Madigan. Most important to me is that we find a way to center the voices and the needs of the people these policies are designed to protect as we rebuild a system that victims can trust to protect them and create a safer workplace for everyone. You may have heard me talk about our office motto: Nothing About Us Without Us - I can’t imagine a more important application of that principle than ensuring that we hear the real issues being faced by folks in our very diverse and diffuse workplace. 

I’ve described the Capitol workplaces as “unflowchartable” because we have people employed by many different entities: district office staff who report directly to individual members with little connection to the caucus Human Resources operations, partisan caucus staff each with their own policies, staff of Executive branch agencies, staff from other units of government, lobbyists and advocates who could be from corporate or non-profit entities who might have no clue about Springfield, and contract lobbyists who might be sole proprietors or staff of large law firms. Each with different policies in place, not all with access to useful advice on how to handle harassment in a workplace such as ours.

My intention, and my hope for my colleagues, is that we commit to a very deliberate approach to determining what policies we need to adopt moving forward, with the end users of the policy at the top of our minds. It would be really easy to bang out a bill that extends the statute of limitations on sexual harassment cases and makes some cosmetic changes to reporting policies and calls it good. But we would be no better off than we are today, and we would be insulting the women whose stories have been told and retold through this saga, not necessarily with their consent. Just as we learned when folks were calling for a special session in the wake of the Dobbs decision, sometimes taking the time to get it right is more important than being fast. The six months the Dobbs Working Group spent diving deep into the issues and the needs of stakeholders were well spent, and our state’s Patient and Provider Protection Act has served as a model for many states since as a result. I’m looking ahead, hoping to find the right path forward to make our workplace safer for everyone.

District Office Manager Rauly joined Family Matters for their Chicago Climate Week backyard roundtable to discuss various eco-friendly measures and projects.

Our office joined the 49th Ward office for their Mid-Summer Block Party! Our intern Serina, pictured here, ready to help sign people up for our upcoming Mobile DMV!

Need to Know Info

Our office is partnering with the offices of Alderwoman Maria Hadden, State Senator Mike Simmons and C24/7 for a Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 8th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Willye B. White Park (1610 W Howard St). We will have free school supplies, free food, games, music, splash activities, inflatables, and more!

Our office is partnering with the Illinois Secretary of State's office once again to bring the DMV to the 14th District! Appointments are REQUIRED for this event, hosted on Wednesday, August 12th from 10am-2pm. To sign up for an appointment, email rauly@repcassidy.com or call our office at (773) 784-2002.

You'll be able to get your Driver's License or State ID Cards including REAL IDs, register your vehicle, and/or obtain a new license plate sticker.

For a list of acceptable documentation, click here.

On May 1, many Illinois SNAP customers lost benefits due to new restrictions imposed by the federal government. Customers who lost their benefits can find out if they may qualify for an exemption and how to meet work requirements by working, volunteering, and/or participating in a training or education program here: SNAPWorkRequirements.illinois.gov

For additional information on who is subject to the SNAP Work Requirement, exemptions from the SNAP Work Requirement, and more please reference this SNAP Work Requirements & Exemptions FAQ and use the SNAP Work Requirements Screener.

Protect Rogers Park and West Ridge Community Defense have partnered with Northside Community Resources and Living Water Community Church to establish the Immigrant Solidarity Fund. The fund provides emergency assistance for essential needs, including housing, food, legal representation, 

medical care, and mental health services for our neighbors most at risk. Please consider making a generous gift to help ensure that families in our community have the support they need during these incredibly difficult times. Every contribution will make a tangible difference in the lives of our neighbors.

Your donation will be administered by Northside Community Resources, a 501(c)3, and donations are tax deductible. Receipts are available upon request.

You can choose from three ways to donate:

1. Give online:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/immigrant-solidarity-fund-RPWR

2. Send a check:

• Northside Community Resources, with “Immigrant Solidarity Fund” in the memo
• Checks can be mailed to:
• Northside Community Resources, c/o Immigrant Solidarity Fund, 1530 W Morse Ave, Chicago, IL 60626

3. Make a wire/bank transfer:

• For assistance, please contact Northside Community Resources directly at aga@northsidecr.org.

Good news! The following bus route's in our neighborhood have improved services:

• #50 Damen: 25% more service will be added on Saturdays, with buses running every 12-15 minutes. On Sundays, 20% more service will be added, with buses running every 15 minutes.
• #92 Foster: You can now travel westbound later on the weekends as service has been extended through 10:30 p.m. Eastbound weekend service has also been extended until 9:55 p.m. on Saturdays and 9:50 p.m. on Sundays/holidays. Sundays/holidays begin service at 5:00 a.m.

More information on service improvements that took place system-wide may be found here.

Neighborhood Shoutout

Our staff had the wonderful opportunity to attend the 400 Theater ribbon-cutting ceremony! We're thrilled to celebrate the reopening of this cherished community landmark and look forward to seeing it once again bring people together through the magic of movies. Congratulations to everyone who helped make this exciting day possible.

Read more about the opening of the 400 Theater on Block Club Chicago.

Gerber/Hart is a LGBTQ+ library and archives located in the Rogers Park neighborhood (6500 N Clark Street) in Chicago. Founded in 1981, Gerber/Hart is one of the largest repositories of LGBTQ+ content in the world. Gerber/Hart is a 501(c)3 non-profit and focuses on collecting, preserving, and making accessible the LGBTQ history and culture of Chicago and the Midwest. Learn more at gerberhart.org or by following @gerberhart on Instagram and Facebook. And for a deep dive into some of the amazing collections at Gerber/Hart, listen to their podcast Unboxing Queer History!

As a community LGBTQ+ library & archives, the books at Gerber/Hart have two things in common - they’re all LGBTQ+ and they’re all donated! Want to check out your next LGBTQ+ read? Check out their lending library! Anyone over 13 can check out up to 10 items at a time - no fees! Wednesdays and Thursdays 6-9pm, Fridays 12-4pm, and Saturdays 10am-4pm.

Gerber/Hart would love any and all help and support to expand their library. You can purchase a book for their shelves here.

Gerber/Hart Library & Archives relies on volunteers to help fulfill its mission and is always looking for individuals who wish to donate their time and talent to the library. Volunteers primarily provide general library and archives support by helping to process and record donations and collection holdings, assist patrons in the use of the library, and helping with exhibits. There are also needs for people with library, archives, and information technology training and experience.

District Events

Expand your network at this multi-chamber event in Rogers Park's Jarvis Square corridor! Bring lots of business cards with you. Registration includes lunch and raffle prizes. This event is hosted by Rogers Park Business Alliance, Lakeview/Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce, Uptown Chamber of Commerce, and Edgewater Chamber of Commerce.

You can register online here.

(If it rains, the event will be moved indoors)

11:00 to 11:15 - Open Networking

11:15 to 11:30 - Mini Introductions & Instructions

11:30 to 12:20 - Speed Networking

12:20 to 1 - Lunch, Announcements, Raffle Drawing & Open Networking

The Jarvis Square Pierogi Fiesta is going to be a delicious celebration!

Indulge in a mouthwatering array of pierogi flavors, from classic potato and cheese to adventurous combinations like sauerkraut and mushroom. Cool down with refreshing pierogi margaritas while dancing to the lively beats of live music. Explore unique goods and crafts from local vendors, creating a festive atmosphere for the whole family. This isn't just a food festival; it's a chance to experience the vibrant community spirit of Jarvis Square. 

Swift Elementary School recently learned that the main curtain in their auditorium has become frayed and is no longer safe to use. As a Fine and Performing Arts school, their auditorium is an essential part of their students' education, hosting performances, assemblies, plays, and musicals throughout the year.

They are also seeking donations of everyday classroom and school supplies, including hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, copy paper, tissues, and other essential items that help support their students and teachers.

If you are interested in donating, you can use the QR code above to donate directly. You can also use this link to help with school supplies.

Hamdard Health Rogers Park is hosting a back to school health fair in celebration of National Health Center Week. They will have a mobile health clinic, community resources, free backpacks, health information & a bounce house. No registration is required. You can learn more about Hamdard Health here.

Sunday, August 9

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Republic Bank, 2720 W. Devon Ave.

After selling out in its very first year, Rooted in Song returns on August 10, 2026 with two performances! Enjoy unforgettable performances from some of Andersonville and Chicago's favorite local artists, featuring songs of resilience, hope, and collective action.

Your ticket purchase will support Aville Grows and its continued growth. They'll also be donating part of the night's proceeds to a local organization helping fight for immigrant rights in our own community.

18+ for this event. Register here

Location: 5545 N Clark

Date: 6PM and 8PM August 10, 2026

Taste of Andersonville is back! From 5pm-8pm on Wednesday, August 12th, attendees will get to sample small plates that feature a dinner item, dessert item, or beverage at each participating business. Select locations may offer a combination.

For more information on participating businesses, please click here.

To purchase tickets, click here!

The Friends of the Parks want to hear from you. How are your parks doing? What's working, what isn't, and what would make them stronger? As part of their Park Roots Initiative, they're asking Chicagoans to help them shape the future of our 600-plus parks, and they need your voice to do it. This event is free and open to the public. Go for the conversation, stay for the celebration, with light refreshments, good company, and a chance to recognize the people making a real difference in our public spaces.

You can learn more and RSVP here.

This monthly program helps older adults and new users understand their personal computer, phone, or tablet. Presenter Michael Kennedy will discuss the successes and pitfalls of using technology and how to resolve challenges when they arise.

The program for August 13th is “Shopping for New Devices”.

Registration is recommended but not required.

Michael is a retired technology teacher and a member of the Edgewater Village Chicago Communications Committee.

• Thursday, August 13, 2026
• 1:00 PM  2:00 PM
• Edgewater Branch Library in the Betty A. Barclay Community Room

This first-ever Nepali street festival in Edgewater is more than a cultural event. It is a meaningful celebration of belonging, representation, and community pride. The festival will highlight Nepali culture, music, dance, food, art, traditional clothing, and the rich diversity of Nepal's many ethnic communities. It will also bring together families, seniors, youth, small businesses, nonprofit partners, and local residents to celebrate the shared values that make Chicago strong: diversity, inclusion, respect, and community.

Date: Saturday, August 15th, at 1:00 PM

Location: Bryn Mawr and Kenmore in Edgewater

This Disability Pride Month, the 48th Ward Office is proud to partner with Access Living on a new initiative to make sidewalks more accessible: Project Sidewalk! At this workshop they will show off a virtual tool to identify sidewalks in need of repair. In the 2026 Participatory Budgeting cycle, 48th Ward neighbors voted to spend $100K on sidewalk repairs to help make the public ways more accessible for everyone, and this tool is going to help do that. No experience is needed; training will be provided.

Sunday, August 26 from 1-3pm

48th Ward Office (1129 W Bryn Mawr)

You can register here.

Looking for a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon? Join the Edgewater Library for adult coloring, a popular therapeutic activity used to reduce stress, improve mindfulness and foster creativity. According to the Mayo Clinic, the benefits of coloring can include improved sleep, fewer body aches, and decreased fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

Please register by emailing edgewater@chipublib.org. All materials and light refreshments will be provided.

Dates: Sunday, August 16, 2-4 p.m.

Location: Edgewater Branch Library

6000 N. Broadway

Join First Free Church for the first Community Crowded Table, a new series designed to bring people together over great food and meaningful conversation at local restaurants throughout the community.

Open to everyone, whether they are part of a faith community or not, Community Crowded Tables are geared toward young adults and emerging leaders ages 18–40 who are looking to build connections in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

The first gathering takes place on Thursday, August 20, from 6:30–8PM at The Good Wolf Andersonville. Attendees will enjoy a complimentary meal, shared appetizers, and nonalcoholic beverages. Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

To reserve a spot, email jcollins@firstfree.com.

Pick up a free backpack at the 48th Ward's back to school celebration at Margate Park featuring music and fun for the whole family! Supplies are limited, so backpacks will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis to children accompanied by an adult. 

Friday, August 21 from 5-7pm

Margate Park (4921 N Marine)

Hang out with RPBA at Chicago’s only 3D chalk art festival.

Chalk Howard Street is back! This vibrant event invites national and local street artists, neighbors, families and art lovers to transform Howard Street in Rogers Park into a creative canvas. Want to be part of transforming Howard Street?

When: Sat, Aug 22 from 11am - 7pm

Where: Howard Street between Paulina & Ashland

Express your creativity by purchasing a 4’ x 4’ square for $25 right here.

Drop-in with Synapse Arts every Tuesday for a special summer edition of Latin Social Dances on the beach! Partnering with Blue Jay Cafe at Loyola Park, join Synapse Arts through August 25th at 6:00 pm for an open-level, beginner-friendly Latin American social dance class. They feature rotating styles such as merengue, salsa, cumbia, bachata, and more. This 18+ class requires no partner or prior experience.

Class is on a concrete area by the beach, next to Blue Jay Cafe.

Register here.

Through Citywide Participatory Budgeting, community members have the opportunity to help determine how $500,000 in capital improvement funding will be invested in parks across Chicago. Voting will take place from July 27 through August 27, and all community members ages 13 and older are encouraged to participate.

Community members can vote by:

• Completing the online ballot at ChicagoParkDistrict.com/Participatory-Budgeting.
• Casting a ballot at any Chicago Park District fieldhouse or at community outreach events.

Additional information about the Citywide Participatory Budgeting process is available at www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com/Participatory-Budgeting. 

Rivers and Roads Cafe is partnering with The Dropped Stitch to host Fiber Crafts Nights on the second Wednesday of every month! You can meet other fiber crafters and work on your projects while enjoying the cozy atmosphere of Rivers & Roads after hours.

Rivers and Roads Cafe

1259 W Devon Ave

Second Wednesday of every month

6pm-8pm

Adult Summer Reading Bingo is BACK! Check out their in-store displays for book inspiration! 

RULES: For every BINGO you achieve (5 squares in a row—vertical, horizontal, or diagonal), you can fill out an entry form to win prizes! More info HERE. You can also drop off your completed paper bingo card at the bookstore.

Bingo runs until September 8th! 

The Edgewater Music Fest is returning to Broadway from Thorndale Avenue on Friday, Aug. 28 through Sunday, Aug. 30. The neighborhood festival will once again feature more than 30 live performances across two

stages, a variety of more than 100 local vendors, food and beverage offerings, family-friendly activities and a weekend-long celebration of Chicago's vibrant music and arts scene.

Dates: August 28-30, 2026

Location: Broadway to Thorndale Avenue

Farmers Markets

Now in its 17th year, the Andersonville Farmers Market has gained a reputation in Chicago and beyond for creating an inclusive, vibrant gathering space that helps close the gap between the community and local foods. The market celebrates the diversity of the Midwest through a wide range of high quality products and goods from local farms and vendors.

The 2026 Farmers Market is open for business from 3PM to 7PM every Wednesday, May 13 through October 21. The Market operates rain or shine.

The Market is located on Winona St. between Clark St. and Ashland Ave. and the adjacent AT&T parking lot in the bustling Andersonville neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. 

For more information about the market, please visit www.andersonvillemarket.org  

Edgewater Monday Market returns for the 2026 season! Chicago’s ONLY Monday farmers market feature a diverse lineup of more than 40 vendors, including food, activities, entertainment and more! EBT/Link, Match Link Vouchers, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Coupons accepted.

Admission to the market is free for everyone and no advance registration is necessary. You can see the full list of vendors, schedule, and find out more information about the Edgewater Monday Market at Edgewater Chamber’s website.

Rogers Park Business Alliance has a great 17th season planned with veteran and loved food artisans and farmers. They invite everyone to come out and stroll the market to support local agriculture.

Find your favorite local foods, from fruits and veggies to baked goods & lunch items, to meats, cheeses, tofu and more at Rogers Park's favorite farmers market.

This is the place to get your grocery shopping done, meet a neighbor and support local farmers & food artisans.

Get ready to enjoy the very best seasonal foods from these amazing farmers and food artisans.

The Market will run Sundays from June 7 to October 25, 2026 (except June 28 and August 16).

This year, Jarvis Square is hosting a new farmers market on Monday nights! The Jarvis Square Twilight Markets run Mondays from 4:00pm-8:00pm, just steps from the Jarvis Red Line stop.

Youth

The City of Chicago is helping young people make the most of summer with a variety of free programs, events, and resources. From summer reading at the Chicago Public Library and activities in Chicago parks to youth opportunities through the My CHI app and community-led safe space events, the Get Into Summer initiative offers ways for teens and families to stay engaged, connected, and active throughout the season!

Hiring

Looking to start a new career? Find the right fit to help make a difference. IDHS offers a wide range of career opportunities.

Explore open career opportunities throughout Illinois here.

Visit an American Job Center to access employment resources, information about job training and more. Each center has knowledgeable staff that provide assistance to people who need career assistance. Assistance is available to youth and adults. All services are free.

Please call in advance to get information about hours, orientation, and workshop details.

1145 West Wilson Avenue

Room 1917

Chicago, IL 60640

(773) 831-5221

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

1507 W. Morse Ave

Chicago IL 60626