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It was good to get back to Springfield this week. It’s a lot easier to connect multiple stakeholders when we’re all in the Capitol and with Friday’s deadline to file new bills, that was certainly helpful. We also had some of our first committee hearings, including my first meeting of the House Labor & Commerce Committee since being reappointed to the body. I served on Labor during my first several terms, but it’s a very large & active committee that a lot of members want a chance to sit on, so I rotated off the committee a few years ago. I am eager to get back up to speed on the matters we delve into this session.
Speaking of the filing deadline, our team ended up filing eighteen bills, which we’ll start diving into next week. One that has already caught the attention of folks is HB5152 which will create a first in the nation tax credit for people relocating to Illinois because of bans on access to healthcare that is legal in the state of Illinois and attacks on free speech. Specifically, any taxpayer who relocates here to access care for themselves or a family member will be eligible for a $500 tax credit. Any licensed healthcare provider or certified teacher who relocates from a state restricting their ability to provide care or exercise their free speech rights is also eligible for the credit. Here’s a link to a press release from the day it was introduced, including quotes from our Senate sponsor, Planned Parenthood, Equality Illinois, and Equality Florida, whose Executive Director shared how painful it is to see friends and colleagues flee for their safety but promised to keep fighting to restore fairness to Florida.
One of the first questions I was asked when the bill was introduced was if there was a cost estimate. In reality, any cost associated with providing this credit would be very quickly recovered as folks buy homes, pay rent, get jobs, buy stuff…you get the picture. Another barrier to accurately predicting the impact is that it’s impossible to measure the impact on communities that aren’t specifically quantifiable. The census doesn’t track how many transgender people are in any given area, nor is there a way to predict how many people might flee a state because a ban on abortion makes them unsafe.
Last week when I visited the White House for Communities In Action with legislators and advocates from Illinois and Indiana, one of the attendees shared a gut wrenching story of their relocation to Rogers Park from Virginia, and while speaking to them after, another attendee from central Illinois shared that they’ve been actively welcoming folks who are moving from ban states for their safety and referred to what we’re experiencing as an “uncountable diaspora” due to the factors I cited above. Similarly, we’ve had folks come into the office after coasting into town on fumes needing help getting settled. I remember how much time, planning, and expense went into my move here from Florida in 1991 and simply can’t fathom having to move before your next medication refill or being a parent and figuring out how to uproot your family so one of your kids can get lifesaving gender affirming care.
Tomorrow, I’m excited to join Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita and Alderwoman Hadden at Pottowatomie Park for a Lunar New Year Celebration. We’ll be celebrating the Year of the Dragon with a Lion Dance and other fun activities and treats from 12-1:30 PM. I hope to see you there!
Next week, the office is closed Monday for Lincoln’s Birthday, and we’ll be implementing a new office schedule for the Spring by having remote office hours on Fridays. This is an experiment based on the challenges of long session days and slower foot traffic in the office of late. Finally, a tech security checkup led to us adopting a more secure email system. Our new emails will all be @repcassidy.com addresses, but the system will forward messages sent to the old addresses as well. It seems to have gone smoothly so far, even for my tech-change -averse self, but please let us know if you’re having trouble reaching us by calling 773-784-2002.
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Our email address (repcassidy@gmail.com) is no longer in use due to the need to increase our email security protections. We apologize for the inconvenience. We now have a new general email account for anyone needing to reach our office. Please email all communications moving forward to info@repcassidy.com. Please note that this new account will still be directly monitored by all staff and Rep. Cassidy. | |
Office Closed in Observance of Lincoln's Birthday | |
Our office will be closed on Monday, February 12th in observance of Lincoln's Birthday. As always, for urgent communication please email info@respcassidy.com. | |
Lunar New Year Celebration | |
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Join Commissioner Morita, State Representative Kelly Cassidy & Alderwoman Maria Hadden for our annual Lunar New Celebration at Pottawattomie Park (7340 N Rogers Ave) on Feb 11 from 12p-1:30p. There will be Lion Dancers as well kids crafts and red envelope stuffing. We look forward to seeing you there!
If you plan on attending please let us know here.
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Loyola Park Family Sweetheart Valentine's Day Dance | |
Join the Loyola Park Advisory Council for their annual Family Sweetheart Dance on February 10 from 5PM-7PM. They invite you to a special evening with your loved ones at our annual Family Sweetheart Dance. Come out and dance the night away as you make family memories. Capture a photo at our photo station, and enjoy dinner! Fee is $10- per family and paid at door. Children must be accompanied by a parent/caregiver | |
Loyola Park Black History Month Celebrration | |
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Join the Loyola Park Advisory Council: FEB. 25th 12:30 – 2:30 PM 1230 W. Greenleaf in the Fieldhouse. This event is free and open to the public.
2024 THEME: A Perspective: African American Women Artists
Did you know that Loyola Park has hosted a Black History Celebration for 25 years? Let’s celebrate and acknowledge the historic achievements of Black Americans and highlight their undeniable impact on American history! Featuring a pop-up art gallery! Every year, we welcome students of Acero Cruz, Gale Community Academy, Joyce Kilmer, New Field, Chicago Math & Science Academy, Senn High School, Sullivan High School, and others to participate by creating art around a theme.
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Property Taxes - First Installment | |
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Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has mailed nearly 1.8 million Tax Year 2023 First Installment property tax bills. Payments are due March 1, 2024.
The First Installment is 55% of the previous year's total tax. Exemptions that can reduce a property owner’s taxes are applied to the Second Installment bill.
Since Pappas posted the bills on cookcountytreasurer.com in mid-December, more than 11,000 property owners have visited the website to pay their property taxes.
“More people use our website each year to pay their property tax bills online,” Pappas said. “People like the convenience of paying online and not having to come downtown to pay in person or writing a check and paying for postage.”
To make a payment online, visit cookcountytreasurer.com and follow these steps:
Select the blue box labeled “Pay Online for Free”
Enter your address or 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN)
A picture of your property should appear so you’ll know you’re paying the correct bill. There is no fee to pay online from your bank account. The Treasurer’s Office accepts partial payments but First Installment taxes must be paid by March 1 to avoid a late charge of 0.75 percent per month, as mandated by Illinois law.
You can also use cookcountytreasurer.com to:
Search $93 million in available refunds.
Check if you are missing out on $57 million in property tax exemptions, which lower your tax bill.
Read the Pappas Studies, a series of research projects that includes a 20-year history of Cook County property taxes.
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20th District Monthly Meeting | |
Our office (1507 W. Morse) will serve as a drop off location for The Diaper and Menstrual Care Drive that will support Care for Real. We are accepting drop offs Monday - Friday from 9am-5pm. Please call 773-784-2002 to make sure we will be in the office. | |
Andersonville Coffee & Cocoa Crawl | |
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Coffee & Cocoa Crawl tickets are on sale NOW! One of our big hit events last year, Coffee & Cocoa crawl, (10AM - 1PM on Saturday, February 10) part of our Fika Fest Weekend, takes you up and down Clark to sample some of the warmest, coziest, most delicious coffee and cocoa Chicago has to offer.
At check in, attendees will receive a commemorative Andersonville mug and your route card (Bean or Brew) that will act as your ticket for each location. Kids under 10 crawl for free with a paid attendee. Please make sure to register your child when checking out.
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Andersonville Kids Activities Fair | |
Join the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce Rogers Park Montessori School at the Kids Activities Fair on Saturday, February 24, from 9:30AM-12:30PM. Showcase your summer camps and year-round youth programming to parents, caregivers, and the community. Limited spots available, free for not-for-profits, $50 fee for for-profits. Sponsorship opportunities at $250 welcomed. Secure your spot by signing up before the deadline on January 31, at 5PM. For demonstration inquiries, email info@andersonville.org by February 5. Don't miss out on this chance to be part of a vibrant kids' event! | |
7th District Small Business Restoration Grant
Deadline Extended to Feb 16 at 5pm
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State Senator Mike Simmons is announcing the 7th District Small Business Restoration Grant, made possible by $2.5 million in funds that is meant to provide one-time, $10,000 grants to Illinois 7th District small businesses. The grant is provided in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Grant funds are intended for independently-owned small businesses that have missed out on previous grant opportunities, are in danger of closure and/or are facing financial hardship, and identify as historically underserved entrepreneurs located in the 7th District.
Applicants must operate in brick-and-mortar sites in the State of Illinois’ 7th District and must have first opened no later than Sun, Dec 31, 2021.
Applications are due on Tue, Feb 16, 2024 5 pm.
For more information, click here. To apply, click here.
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RPBA Webinar for 7th District SBRG Grant | |
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Rogers Park Business Alliance (RPBA) will host a free webinar via Zoom on January 30th from 10a-11a to help answer any questions about applying for the Small Business Restoration Grant. Join via Zoom here. RSVP here.
Meeting ID: 868 6366 9053
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Chicago Coalition for the Homeless 2024 Scholarship | |
After School Matters Spring Application Open | |
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After School Matters is accepting applications for its spring program!
Programs run from February 26 through May 11 and are open to teens ages 14-18. Every ASM program allows you to explore your passions, learn new skills, and earn money at the same time!
To learn more about the program and to apply, visit the following LINK.
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Wild Onion Market General Manager | |
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The Wild Onion Market is accepting applications for its first General manager Position.
Per the job description: The General Manager (GM) plays a pivotal role in leading our cooperatively owned grocery store to achieve the mission, vision, and Policy Governance as articulated by the Wild Onion Market Board of Directors and ownership. This is an onsite, store-based role with extensive public contact in a dynamic environment.
To learn more about this position, visit the following LINK.
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Edgewater Chamber of Commerce Hiring | |
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Edgewater Chamber of Commerce is hiring a Community Development & Business Services Manager!
Are you an extremely organized, detailed-oriented program manager with experience managing a Special Service Area, Business Improvement District, Economic Development Corporation or membership association? If yes, Edgewater Chamber of Commerce is looking for you!
To learn more about this position and to apply, click here.
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Sincerely,
Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District
Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy
1507 W. Morse Ave
Chicago IL 60626
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773-784-2002 (phone)
Info@repcassidy.com
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