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I gotta say, this has been a very challenging “re-entry” from the holiday break. As we approach the bill drafting request deadline Friday, we’re working on finalizing bill language and negotiations so that we’re ready for the filing deadline on February 6th.
I’ve spent a fair bit of time in calls and zooms with colleagues in Minnesota and other states who are experiencing a wave of ICE and CBP actions that seem even more horrific than what we experienced here during the fall. The murder of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis last week sent shock waves through that community that rippled across the country. Here in Chicago, we were acutely aware of the capacity for violence that accompanies an ICE occupation, but no one could watch that video and not feel the horror she and her wife experienced. I’ve spent time with friends who serve in the Minnesota legislature who have grappled with so much recently, including last summer’s murder of members of their legislature. I’ve shared information about how our communities have organized and stepped up to protect our neighbors while also cautioning everyone about the strain of a lengthy occupation and the need to pace yourself. I’m grateful to all of our neighbors who are remaining vigilant and standing up to protect our neighbors who are very much still at risk. Our neighbors in Edgewater are organizing to support a family who is struggling to stay in their home after their father was detained months ago: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-emilio-bahena-with-legal-fees
On Friday, I’m hoping to make it to the Edgewater Historical Society which is hosting a members preview of their new exhibit and reception for their 100th anniversary. If you’ve ever wondered about the funky firehouse on Ashland, this would be a great time to check it out!
We are in session Tuesday through Thursday of next week. This year’s legislative calendar is one of the wonkiest I’ve seen in a very long time, so it’s going to be a little herky-jerky until we get deeper into the calendar. After this Friday’s Legislative Reference Bureau bill request deadline, we have 3 weeks until the February 6th bill introduction deadline, with the Governor’s Budget Address following on the 18th. With the House Committee deadline at the end of March, we’ll be watching for amendments and working with advocates on setting up hearings.
I'm eager to get underway and excited to get back to Springfield next week. Traditionally, election year sessions tend not to involve big issues, but we’ve also never experienced anything quite like what’s happening now, so it’s hard to truly know what to expect. We’re expecting a challenging budget season, with the need to plan for the impacts of retaliatory cuts from the federal government.
| | Rep. Cassidy's Statement on Venezuela | | Below is Rep. Cassidy's statement on the Trump Administration's actions in Venezuela last week. | | Changes to SNAP Presentation | | Latest Update About SNAP Program Work Requirements | | |
SNAP customers can now check to see if they are subject to, are meeting, or may be eligible to seek an exemption from work requirements. Use the ABE: SNAP Work Requirements screener.
Additional Information on New SNAP Work Requirements
Before the federal budget bill, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) applied to adults ages 18-54 who had:
- No kids under 18 living at home
- No disabilities
Now, more people must meet or be exempt from work requirements, like:
- People who are homeless
- People with kids at home who are only 14 or older
- Veterans
- People with no disabilities, ages 55-64
Important Dates:
February 1, 2026: ABAWDs who do not meet or who are not exempt from work requirements may only get SNAP for 3 months in a 3-year period.
May 1, 2026: ABAWDs who do not meet or who are not exempt from work requirements will lose benefits.
IDHS has sent initial notices of these federal changes along with a copy of an exemption form, to all current and new ABAWDs.
Illinois DHS will also continue to provide updates on: snapfederalimpact.illinois.gov
| | The Greater Chicago Food Depository Can Help Answer Your Questions About SNAP Changes | | |
The federal government passed a new law that makes significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Link in Illinois. Follow these steps before February 1st so you don’t lose your food and grocery benefits:
1) Update your information: Report any changes in your income or changes to your household to the Illinois Department of Human Services.
2) Review work requirements: Find out if you need to be connected to a job, volunteer opportunity or education & training program for at least 80 hours per month. If you qualify for an exemption, apply for one.
3) Stay informed! Get the latest updates and share this information with family and friends. Don’t wait until your benefits stop. Take action today!
Support is available. No one should go hungry because of paperwork. Visit the Greater Chicago Food Depository to get help managing your benefits or to sign up for SNAP today
| | 14th District Small Business Security Infrastructure Program | | |
The 14th District Small Business Security Infrastructure Grant has launched an emergency door-buzzer initiative in response to the fear and disruption caused by recent ICE/CBP operations in local commercial corridors.
Funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and led by State Representative Kelly Cassidy in partnership with Rogers Park Business Alliance (RPBA), the program has already delivered over $320,000 in security support to 45 neighborhood businesses.
This new effort will provide and install basic door entry control systems for up to 90 vulnerable, for-profit brick-and-mortar businesses within the 14th District. Eligible businesses must be located in the district, be in good standing with the State of Illinois, hold a valid Chicago business license, and complete the required application.
For more information on who qualifies and how to apply, visit the grant website here.
| | What to Know About the CMS Anti-Gender Affirming Care Proposed Rules | | Please click image above for full PDF | | |
As part of their vicious and continuing attacks on transgender people, the Trump Administration recently proposed two new rules that purposefully and cruelly limit access to gender affirming care for young people. This attack is just the latest from this administration that targets families with trans youth and these children’s ability to live healthy, happy lives. These rules not only threaten access to gender affirming care, they also threaten states’ abilities to provide comprehensive, proven, and necessary care to patients – including patients not using Medicaid or Medicare and patients seeking care other than gender affirming care.
ACLU Illinois has provided a sheet of need to know information regarding these new rules you can access by clicking above.
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ComEd made two announcements this month:
1) ComEd announced the January 1, 2026 launch of the Low-Income Discount (LID) program. The LID program will provide percentage-based discounts to monthly ComEd bills for income eligible customers.
You can learn more about their new program here.
2) More than $803 million dollars will be returned to customers under the framework established in Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which requires nuclear plants to pay customers when prices are high. Residential and commercial customers will benefit from this funding in the form of bill credits, over the first five months of 2026.
You can read a press release about it here.
| | Together We Win: Fight for the T in Team Panel and Community Dinner | | |
Fight for the T in Team: Together We Win Panel & Community Dinner
WHEN: Tuesday, January 13 at 6pm
WHERE: Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60613
On Jan. 13, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two cases that will shape the future of transgender and nonbinary (TNB) youth and people in this country: West Virginia v. BPJ and Little v. Hecox. These two cases represent two teenage girls from West Virginia and Idaho, who sued just to be allowed to continue playing sports like any other student.
The panel, beginning at 6:30pm, will break down the oral arguments and the potential impacts on the Equal Protection Clause and Title IX. A meal will follow, allowing attendees to connect as a community.
You can register for the event here.
| | Individual Artists Program Grants | | |
The 2026 Individual Artists Program (IAP) application is now open.
Deadline: Apply by Thursday, January 15, 2026 at noon CT
Notifications by May 31, 2026 - all applications will be notified via email
The Individual Artists Program (IAP) aims to assist Chicago's practicing artists in creating work that develops their craft and elevates their careers, while adding to the cultural vitality of the city of Chicago. IAP grants support artists across all artistic disciplines including Film & Media Arts, Literary Arts, Music, Performing Arts (Theater/Dance), and Visual Arts/Design.
- DCASE anticipates making 200 - 250 grants through this program.
- Artists must take one year off from applying after being selected for an IAP grant. 2025 IAP grantees are not eligible to apply.
- DCASE will prioritize funding applicants that did not receive other support from DCASE in 2023 or 2024.
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a resident of the city of Chicago, Illinois (proof of Chicago residency is required – must provide a current valid Illinois Driver’s License, State ID or Chicago CityKey with applicant name and Chicago street address). No other proof of Chicago residency will be accepted. No P.O. Boxes.
Visit the DCASE website to apply.
| | R3 Grant Applications Open | | |
The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) announced two funding opportunities for the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) Program, totaling $50 million in grants to historically underserved communities. ICJIA will allocate $35 million to support community reentry from the criminal legal system, economic development, and civil legal aid programs, with another $15 million allocated to support youth development and violence prevention initiatives.
The R3 program aims to repair systemic disparities, recognizing that the negative consequences of the war on drugs have disproportionately affected disinvested communities, particularly communities of color. Funded programs must implement evidence-based, promising, or innovative practices that seek to address systemic harms.
To see if your organization qualifies, to get more information, or to apply you can visit the R3 website here.
| | Rogers Park’s Candyland House On HGTV’s ‘Ugliest House In America’ | | |
From Block Club Chicago:
A famous Rogers Park house is being featured on HGTV with the chance to be completely renovated.
The neighborhood’s Candyland House is appearing in Season 7 of “Ugliest House In America,” said homeowners and couple Joe Bergantino and Ricky Gonzalez.
Bergantino and Gonzalez were contacted by somebody from HGTV in late 2024 about an opportunity for their house to be on a show, but they didn’t know what show, they told Block Club.
When they learned it was for “Ugliest House in America,” “of course, we started laughing,” Gonzalez said.
The episode featuring our Rogers Park neighbors opened the season and is now available to stream on HBO Max!
| | Recycle Non-Working Holiday Lights at the 48th Ward Office | | Drop off your non-working holiday lights at the 48th Ward office (1129 W Bryn Mawr) during office hours. Reduce Waste Chicago will recycle them safely. Be sure to separate lights from other decorations before dropping them off. The last day to drop off lights is January 31, 2026. | | Alight Movement Hosting Classes at Berger Park | | |
Berger Park is partnering with Alight Movement to host dance and fitness classes for youth, adults & seniors. The classes are a collaborative program series created by Alight Movement and Uniquely Fit, offering yoga, dance, fitness, mobility, and restorative classes—alongside assisted stretching, mobility assessments, and recovery services for active bodies and wellness professionals.
Mindful Moves
A musically guided, full-body mobility class designed to improve flexibility, balance, posture, and joint health. Each session focuses on a specific area of the body—hips, shoulders, spine, or core—using controlled movement and breath awareness to help you move with more ease and confidence in everyday life.
Groove Lab: Social Dancing 101
Learn simple, repeatable dance grooves, clean footwork, and musicality in a welcoming, judgment-free environment. This class builds confidence, coordination, and rhythm so you can move comfortably in any social setting—no partner or prior dance experience needed
Hip Hop Foundations
An introductory hip hop/street dance class designed to build coordination, musicality, and confidence through age-appropriate movement and foundational dance skills. Students learn basic grooves, footwork, and freestyle concepts while developing body awareness and self-expression in a fun, supportive space.
You can find more information and sign up here.
| | 49th Ward Blood Drive at Rogers Park Library | | |
The 49th Ward Office is partnering with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois to host a blood drive on Thursday January 15 at the Rogers Park Library (6907 N CLARK ST, CHICAGO, IL 60626 2nd Floor Meeting Room) from 1:00PM – 5:00PM.
You can call (800) 7TO-GIVE or visit their website here to register to donate.
| | From the Heart: A Collage Experience | | |
From Friends of the Edgewater Library:
Combine your creativity and experiences to create a collage from magazine and newspaper images centered around a word of your choosing. If you feel comfortable sharing, explain why you chose certain images for your composition and what they represent to you. No art experience is needed; all materials will be provided. The program is suitable for adults and teens. Registration is recommended but not required, you can register here.
Sunday January 18th
2:00-4:00pm
Edgewater Branch
6000 N. Broadway
| | Artists of the Wall 2026 Poster Contest | | |
Here’s your chance to leave your creative mark on one of Rogers Park’s most beloved festivals. The Loyola Park Advisory Council is inviting artists to design the official poster for the 33rd Annual Artists of the Wall Festival, featured on event promotions and festival t-shirts.
✨ Theme: We’re All Neighbors
💰 Artist Prize: $250
🖼️ Bonus: Artists retain full rights to their work
Your poster must include:
• 33rd Annual Artists of the Wall Festival
• We’re All Neighbors
• June 20 – 21, 2026
• Loyola Park, Chicago
• Hosted by Loyola Park Advisory Council
Design details:
• Size: 8 x 10
• Preferred: CMYK (four color), all styles welcome
• File type: High-resolution JPEG or PDF
📩 Submit entries to: loyolaparkac@gmail.com
🗓️ Deadline: January 23, 2026 (earlier submissions encouraged)
| | Pitch Your Peeps Slide Deck Match Making | | |
Queer Slide Deck Match Making has arrived in Chicago! Join Pitch Your Peeps Chi at their new location, Nobody’s Darling for an fun event that let friends take the stage to pitch their (35+) queer, trans and gender expansive friends to others who are interested in finding their match–No dating apps! No swiping! No phones!-- Just a slide deck lovingly made by a friend (or family member!) about their hot and consenting baddie of a friend and an audience full of potential connections. The friend being pitched will also be there!
But wait, there’s more! The audience can also get in on the action of making new connections off stage. Everyone attending can also wear a color coded name tag to signal to others what types of connections they might be interested in. And we even have a missed connections box for you shy queers!!
To see more information and to sign up to Pitch Your Peep go to their site here.
| | Igor Does My Bike 2nd Anniversary Sale & Party | | |
Igor Does My Bike is turning TWO! 🎉 Join them Sunday, Feb 1st for their 2nd Anniversary Party—everything is FREE and open to the public, plus they are celebrating with some pretty great deals. Drop in for an hour or stay all day!
Party Schedule:
☕ 10am Coffee & Pastries
🎨 11am Kids Crafts & Storytime
🌮 12pm Taco Truck: Free Tacos for the first 40 people!
🚲 2pm Fix-a-Flat Class
🎟 3pm Free Raffle
🎶 5pm Live Music: The Bootleggers @bootleggerschi
🍕 6pm Pizza & Dancing
Anniversary Specials (Feb 1 only):
✨ 50% off merch
✨ 20% off accessories
✨ 15% off used bikes
✨ 10% off new bikes
✨ $20 off tune-ups (Feb 1 drop-off only)
Bring the kids, bring your friends, bring your bike and celebrate 2 years of community!
Igor Does My Bike
5454 N Broadway St
Starting at 10:00am
| | Edgewater Indoor Market Returns for 2026! | | |
Presented by Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, the Edgewater Indoor Market is back for Winter 2026. After a successful inaugural season, the market returns with an expanded schedule, more vendors, and a bigger location on the first floor of the historic Broadway Armory. This year, the market adds two additional Saturdays, giving shoppers more chances to support local businesses and enjoy the warmth of community throughout winter.
Community members are invited to shop, eat, and connect indoors from 10am-2pm in the 1st Floor Gymnasium at Broadway Armory (5917 N. Broadway) on five select Saturdays.
2026 Edgewater Indoor Market Dates:
Saturday, January 31
Saturday, February 14
Saturday, February 28
Saturday, March 14
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As a part of their Concert Reading Series, Lifeline Theatre presents Miss Holmes Returns!
A play inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
By Christopher M. Walsh
Directed by Elise Kauzlaric
Miss Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Dorothy Watson are back on the case! After a string of successes in assisting Scotland Yard, a seemingly clear-cut murder case finds itself at the detective’s feet. The powers that be know for certain the murderer was a young woman of immigrant heritage, but Holmes and Watson aren’t as sure. Can they find the truth before the authorities catch and convict their suspect? The game is afoot in this provocative Midwest premiere sequel to the hit play Miss Holmes, based on familiar characters from the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Date: January 25th
Schedule of Events:
11:30 a.m Light brunch & coffee/mimosas served
12:30 p.m. Performances start (approximately two and a half hours in length)
3:00 p.m. Dessert served and Talk-Back with cast
Tickets can be purchased here.
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Lavender Laugh Lounge books Chicago's best comedians and celebrates the talented women and LGBTQ+ performers in the city.
Join them for Lavender Laugh Lounge to see Chicago's hottest comedians. This stand-up showcase features the talented women, LGBTQ+ performers, and friends in the city. It's the best way to spend every first Saturday of the month in the Edgewater / Rogers Park neighborhood.
Next show is February 7th!
Enjoy an hour-long, stand-up sober-friendly comedy show - all are welcome to meet and mingle. Come for the laughter & stay for the social hour to catch up with friends, get tarot readings, and more.
Produced by Elaine Golden, Lily Ellora Newton, and Rey Tang.
Admission is free. Donations are accepted at the end of the show.
The show runs from 6:30-7:30 pm.
Loaves & Witches opens at 7 am and is dedicated to creating a safe, sober, and inclusive environment, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking meaningful connections.
| | New Social Group for Neurodivergent Teens | | Find your people in this new, safe, low-pressure space for neurodivergent teens ages 16-19. Connect over shared interests, build confidence, and navigate the social world together, on your own terms. Activities will be shaped by input from the participants and lightly supervised by an adult. Email kathyherwig@gmail.com to get involved. | | The Township Officials of Illinois 2026 Scholarship | | |
Each year, since 1989, the Township Officials of Illinois Scholarship Fund awards funds to graduating high school seniors to continue their education at Illinois colleges/universities. A total of $403,500 has been awarded to 236 students.
Find more information and applications here.
| | Obama Presidential Center Hiring | | |
The Obama Presidential Center is hiring! With multiple positions available for many of their roles, this is a rare opportunity to join a team from the very beginning and help shape a world-class institution. The Obama Presidential Center is more than a few buildings; it's a hub for citizenship and a place where people can come together to make a difference. Be a part of a mission that will inspire generations to come!
To see a list of positions available and to apply visit their website here.
| | American Job Center at Truman College | | |
Visit an American Job Center to access employment resources, information about job training and more. Each center has knowledgeable staff that provides 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
| | Compassionate caretakers wanted! Join Misericordia, Heart of Mercy and be part of a community where every day is about connection and empowerment. As a Direct Support Professional, you’ll work with residents with disabilities, helping them achieve goals and thrive. If you’re seeking purpose-filled work, click here to learn more and get started. | | |
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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