Kelly's Update

The House adjourned Friday afternoon having passed bills over to the Senate. It was a fast-paced week with several major bills being negotiated to the last minute. We’re on break next week and I’m looking forward to celebrating Passover with my family and reconnecting with folks in the district before we head back for the second half of the session and the home stretch to adjournment in May.

Our team moved 8 bills over to the Senate over the last couple of weeks. Now, Senate sponsors are preparing for committee hearings and the floor. The Senate deadlines to move House bills are May 3rd for committees and May 17th for the 3rd Reading deadline. Here’s what we got through this week. Next week, we’ll share some of the other bills that are making their way through the process and share the Senate bills we’ll be carrying in the second half of session.

• HB5431 Birth Justice: prohibits all shackling of pregnant people in custody and requires the removal of electronic monitoring devices during labor or at the request of a physician. Will be sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Mary Elly Allen
• HB5541 Allows the Illinois State Police to utilize either mail or electronic methods for mandatory communications with individuals on the sex offender registry. Sen. Mike Simmons will carry it in the Senate.
• HB5373 Chronic Pain: Makes changes to the state’s oversight of opioid prescriptions and prescribers to address challenges faced by pain patients and physicians. Will be carried by Sen. Laura Fine
• HB4959 Creates a task force within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to examine the ways the state can grow our creative economy and support working artists. Sen. David Koehler is the sponsor in the Senate.
• HB5239 Dobbs Group Trailer: Each session necessitates tweaks to the Patient and Provider Protection Act based on tactical changes by restrictive states. This bill makes clear that records related to the provision of lawful health care are not subject to FOIA, consolidates the shield law into the Reproductive Health Act, and affirms access to Medicaid coverage for birth control for minors. Will be carried by Sen. Celina Villanueva
• HB5238 Requires that newly manufactured homes be equipped with weather radios. Senator Simmons will take this through the Senate.
• HB5417 HIV TLC: The Treatment and Linkage to Care Act is an initiative of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. It will assure insurance coverage for home HIV tests, create an expedited path to accessing life-saving medication for newly diagnosed patients, and ensure people in custody have access to testing, treatment, and HIV prevention education. Sen. Lakesia Collins is the sponsor for the Senate.
• HB4409 Adult Redeploy Board Update: Will require the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority to add two positions to the board that makes Adult Redeploy grant decisions to include two people who have lived experience of the criminal justice system. Sen. Robert Peters is carrying it in the Senate.

Still in process are bills I’m working with the Pritzker administration and advocates on that respond to issues identified in recent reporting concerning hospital handling of reports of sexual abuse by providers, concerns related to implementation of existing state law concerning emergency room care for survivors of sexual assault and the state’s enforcement of those provisions, as well as a bill that will codify the federal law known as EMTALA or the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act which requires hospitals to provide emergency medical care. There is a case pending before the United States Supreme Court that is expected to reverse federal law protecting the lives of pregnant people experiencing an emergency and we intend to codify those protections in Illinois law.

Next week’s newsletter will include information about some of the other bills that moved out of the House, including Governor Pritzker’s health care package.

In the District

Aville Chamber's Valborg Event

Join the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce at the Chicago Waldorf School (5200 N Ashland) April 30th from 5PM-8PM as they host Valborg, a Swedish tradition that marks the arrival of spring and is often seen as an opportunity to bid farewell to the winter months. One of the central elements of Valborg celebrations in Sweden is the lighting of large bonfires. These bonfires are typically lit in public spaces, such as parks or community squares, and people gather around them to socialize, sing songs, and enjoy the warmth of the fire. In addition to bonfires, other common activities during Valborg include singing traditional songs, particularly ones associated with spring and nature.

The Edgewater Environmental Coalition will also be there embracing the spirit of spring with native plants and sustainable gardening practices. They are giving away free native seed packets to kickstart your garden, ensuring a colorful and thriving landscape for seasons to come. Dive into the season with a mobile free seed library, where you can share, swap, and donate seeds with neighbors, fostering a community of green-thumb camaraderie. 

To learn more about this event visit the following LINK.

Check Eligibility for License Plate and

Transportation Discounts

The Illinois Department of Aging offers discounts to Illinois residents which include license plate & public transportation discounts. To check if you're eligible click here. Our office is able to assist with any questions regarding the process of applying or what information is needed. Please reach out to us at 773-784-2002 or email Wade at Wade@repcassidy.com

ICJIA R3 Program Fact Sheet

Edgewater Monday Markets

The Edgewater Chamber of Commerce is looking for community members to get involved with their Monday Market. Specifically, they are looking for volunteers, market sponsors, and chef's table participants.

To learn more about volunteering and to sign up, visit the following LINK.

To learn more about becoming a market sponsor, visit the following LINK.

To learn more about being a chef's table participant and to sign up, visit the following LINK.

Andersonville Wine Walk Tickets on Sale

Wine Walk tickets are on sale! Which route will you pick? Whether you take a tour of the Dionysus Route or saunter down the street with Bacchus, we've got new wines to try compliments of our partner In Fine Spirits and event sponsor, WYNK Seltzer. Track your favorite wines and bring your wine booklet back to In Fine Spirits for 15% off your purchase of 6 or more bottles of wine! Get your tickets for May 11 here!

Rattleback Records Record Store Day

April means the return of Record Store Day at Rattleback Records! This Saturday, April 20, Record Store Day will have you up bright and early (though it may still be dark out depending on what time you get up) to nab some limited edition one time release titles at Rattleback. They've posted their full list of product coming in which you can view here. This year, Rattleback has partnered with local artist Oscar Joyo to make the limited edition RSD poster pictured above. The first few customers will get to take one home while limited supplies last.

Care for Real Drive

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.

Youth & Teen

One Summer Chicago Now Accepting Applications

Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) have launched the One Summer Chicago (OSC) application portal. OSC aims to connect an additional 4,000 young people to jobs this summer.

Access the portal at OneSummerChicago.org

Job Openings

ILSOS Summer Jobs

Chicago Park District Summer Jobs

Have you found #YourPerfectSummerJob? How about a job where you can wear shorts , sunglasses & a hat to work!

Apply today to #BecomeASummerLifeguard & join the team of skilled swimmers keeping our beaches & pools safe this summer.

bit.ly/ApplyNOW-Lifeguard

48th Ward Office Hiring

Join the 48th ward team this summer - apply to our Summer Events Internship. The Summer Events Intern will be responsible for coordinating the ward booth at events, ensuring that our office is visible and accessible to the community. Responsibilities will include recruiting volunteers, speaking with neighbors at events, and using the city's 311 service to report and follow up on service requests. Learn more about responsibilities and requirements for the role here. Submit a cover letter and resume to apply@the48thward.org by Friday, May 1.

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

1507 W. Morse Ave

Chicago IL 60626