Kelly's Update

I spent a good bit of time last week hearing from friends and colleagues here and around the country checking in on each other in the aftermath of the assassinations of two members of the Minnesota Legislature. Political violence is becoming more commonplace, and it was helpful to connect with each other to talk through our feelings and experiences and contemplate actions and policy options that the situation seems to require. Some years ago, we passed a law to redact the home addresses of judges on publicly available election documents after some high profile attacks on judges in their homes and the possibility of allowing all candidates for elected office to have their information redacted after certifying their eligibility to hold office in that district was often mentioned. Several members are discussing other possible options to enhance the safety of elected offices at all levels. Events like this not only impact the people currently in office. They can have a chilling effect on those who could consider running for office but decide the risk is too great, potentially depriving us of great leadership on both sides of the aisle.

I spent the weekend trying to manage the heat while making a couple of stops. On Saturday, I was glad to join with Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and advocates from organizations such as the ACLU and Trans Up Front, as well as trans youth, parents, health care providers, and educators to condemn the recent US Supreme Court decision in US v Skrmetti upholding the state of Tennessee’s law barring access to health care for trans youth.

District Office Manager Rauly and Intern Fiona among the celebrants at the Roger's Park Business Alliance ribbon cutting extravaganza on Tuesday

Some pictures from our Pokémon & Pride: Trans Youth Resource Fair event last Friday. The event was a hit and we would like to extend a HUGE thank you to our partner elected offices, organizations, and community members who took part in making it a success!

Rep. Cassidy speaking at the Protest of the SCOTUS Decision of US v Skrmetti in Federal Plaza on Saturday

Sunday brought the long awaited ribbon cutting for Care for Real’s new building in Edgewater. I was proud to have secured early money in state grants for this nimble and effective organization to finally purchase their own building with enough space for their clients to receive the wrap-around services they need, finally eliminating the need for clients to wait outside in all weather to access services as was the case in their old space on Sheridan Road.

Executive Director Gregory Gloss, Chair of the Board of Directors Blair Harvey, Representative Cassidy and Senator Simmons posing for picture at the Care For Real food and clothing support ribbon cutting ceremony. The new location is located at 5840 N. Broadway and is open on Mondays from 4PM - 6PM, Wednesday from 9AM - 12PM and Saturday 9AM - 1PM.

I’m excited to share our experiences with our Gender Based Violence Resentencing Act with colleagues across the country in a Criminal Justice Policy Summit convened by the National Conference of State Legislatures this week. I’ll be back in time to join Alderwoman Maria Hadden’s office at a 626 Block Party Town Hall outside her office at 1447 W Morse Avenue from 4-7pm on Thursday. 

This coming weekend will bring us the annual Pride Parade and festivals. Saturday, I’ll return to the lakefront to cheer on the runners at Proud To Run. Sunday, I’ll once again skip the parade for a more personal celebration. I’m looking forward to cohosting the kids tent at Family Pride North on Jarvis Square with my colleague Rep. Lindsey LaPointe. We’ll have story time, snow cones, and some supplies to make art and signs, then we hope to have a mini parade of our own for fest goers!

In the meantime, the garden is exploding with blooms and greens and I’m excited for making more of our meals from what we’re growing. Right now, we’ve got lots of greens and radishes, but all of the good stuff is just around the corner. I can’t wait for the first tomato sandwich of the season!

Need to Know Info

Get ready to shine bright at Jarvis Square Family Pride! We're looking forward to a fantastic day dedicated to connecting, celebrating, and having an absolute blast with all our amazing families. Come share in the happiness and feel the warmth of our incredible community. It's going to be a day full of smiles, fun, and pride!

Sunday, June 29th | 12-9 PM | Jarvis Square (1500 block of Jarvis)

The Transfemicide Working Group is holding 3 Community Meetings to hear from YOU on how to make Chicago safer for the trans and nonbinary community.

The meetings are being held on June 10 6:30p-8p at the Amundsen Park Fieldhouse (Westside), July 10 6:30p-8p at the Jackson Park Fieldhouse (Southside) and July 30 6:30p-8p at Broadway Armory Park (Northside). 

It is an opportunity to share your experiences and tell the City ways in which we can work to ensure the safety of trans and nonbinary people.

This working group stems from an executive order by Mayor Brandon Johnson, you can read more about here.

Neighborhood Shoutout

Congratulations to North Side Housing and Supportive Services! They won a Chicago Building Congress Merit Award! From their newsletter:

We’re thrilled to share that our Rogers Park shelter won the Chicago Building Congress Award for Best Renovation & Reuse (under $20 million)! Out of dozens of impressive entries, our shelter was recognized for transforming a long-vacant medical clinic into a trauma-informed, healing-centered space for homeless men. Huge thanks to Valenti Builders and Gensler for nominating us, and to all of our partners for making this project possible. 

District Events

Join Us at the 626 Block Party – This Thursday!

Kick off summer with your neighbors at the 49th Ward’s annual 626 Block Party — a community cookout and local resource fair, all in one fun afternoon.

📅 Thursday, June 26

🕓 4:00 PM start

📍 1447 W. Morse Ave (outside the Ward Office)

✅ Meet Alderwoman Hadden

✅ Learn about local services

✅ Enjoy music, food & sunshine

Bring a friend, meet someone new, and help us celebrate community in Rogers Park. We can’t wait to see you there!

Clark Devon Hardware is having their Customer Appreciation Day on Wednesday, June 25th. They will be celebrating with food and prizes!

From 11am-2pm

6401 N Clark St.

It's time for a Chicago Park District Night Out in the Park!

On June 27 from 6-8 p.m., the Deep Fried Pickle Project Jug Band will be performing at Tobey Prinz Beach Park (Loyola Park). Join for this free, family-friendly event!

There will also be an instrument-building workshop. Come on out and enjoy the music and fun!

In a bold effort to deepen his understanding of Chicago’s diverse communities, Jahmal Cole, Founder and CEO of My Block My Hood My City, has launched an ambitious initiative to live in all of Chicago’s 77 community areas—spending one month in each—to better engage with residents and address local needs. This month he will be in Rogers Park and is hosting a cookout at Tobey Prinz Beach Park this Saturday June 28th with local special guest Ed Mullen!

You can sign up here for the event.

Tobey Prinz Beach Park, 1055 W. Pratt Blvd, 
on Saturday, June 28th
at Noon.

Come down to A Just Harvest on June 28th for a pop-up of queer and BIPOC businesses. Support local businesses and enjoy the summer at 11 AM this Saturday, June 28th at 7649 N Paulina.

Chicago Northside AARP community group will meet on July 1st at 12:30 PM at 850 W. Addison, Chicago, 19th Police District Station. The event will host a live demonstration of Cook County Sheriff's Canine Search and Rescue Units skills.

Jesse Brown VA Medical Center Mobile Unit will be available and free for all vets who are eligible for VA healthcare on a walk-in basis on July 10 from 8:30 AM - 12PM at 5917 N Broadway Street. The services offered are comprehensive health check-ups/screenings, immunization for disease prevention, holistic care and connect with a primary care provider.

Are you passionate about making meaningful change in your community? Would you like to discuss your ideas for making Chicago a better place with other residents? Then, you should join A Just Harvest's Community Listening Session. Together, we will talk about the concerns you have and work to develop solutions. Using your input, A Just Harvest will tailor their work to meet the needs of the community. Your voice matters! So, join A Just Harvest on July 12th at noon in their Wellness Center located at 7649 N. Paulina St.

Theatre

Based on the novel by H.G. Wells

Adapted by ensemble member John Hildreth

Directed by ensemble member Heather Currie

Jeff recommended!

Breaking news: the Martians have landed…in Chicago! Our world is watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than ours, yet just as mortal. They regard Earth with envious eyes as they craft their violent plans to destroy us. How on Earth will we survive? This world premiere adaptation of the novel by H.G. Wells brings razor-sharp satire to this infamous thriller. Ensemble members John Hildreth and Heather Currie, the team behind Cat’s Cradle, reimagine this sci-fi masterpiece for a modern audience.

Running May 23 – July 13, 2025

$45 Regular Run: June 6 – July 13 (Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.); Military, senior, and student discounts available

Tickets can be purchased here.

Theatre Above the Law presents the Jeff Awards recommended play Matt & Ben by Mindy Kaling (The Office, Mindy Project) & Brenda Withers May 30-June 29 at The Jarvis Square Theater, 1439 W. Jarvis.

The comical play explores what if Matt Damon and Ben Affleck did not write Good Will Hunting but instead it fell from the ceiling, or sky as it were. This 75 minute play is performed by 2 local actresses as both Matt and Ben. Yes, both. The audience chooses each performance who will portray Matt and who will play Ben.

Performances are 7:30pm Fridays and Saturdays and 3pm Sundays. Tickets are available at theatreatl.org. Use the discount code C-look into my eyes for $15 tickets (subject to availability, online only).

For questions, please email tony@theatreatl.org.

Nearly every history textbook will attribute this invention to Thomas Edison. But as with most of his inventions, the story is much more complicated. In fact, French inventor Louis Le Prince perfected such an apparatus years before Edison even thought of applying for a patent. But here's the twist! Le Prince intended to travel to New York to unveil his invention and solidify his place in history, until he vanished mid-transit from a moving train without a trace; leaving the way open for Edison to reveal his own oddly similar creation. Now Le Prince's widow Lizzie and his son Adolphe must pick up the trail of their missing husband and father and fight to defend his legacy against America's celebrity inventor Thomas Edison himself.

Half Victorian-era mystery, half courtroom drama, The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince explores how we struggle with unresolved tragedies and how we remember (or don't remember) the people in our history.

Fri Jun 20, 2025 - Sat Jul 19, 2025

1623 W Howard St

Dates and tickets can be found here.

Weekly Farmers Markets

The Edgewater Monday market is Chicago's only Monday farmers market featuring a diverse lineup of more than 40 vendors, including food, activities and more!

The market is every Monday from 3pm - 7pm, June through September in the Broadway Armory parking lot (5917 N. Broadway).

Check out a list of vendors here.

The Andersonville Farmers Market is back at a brand new location at 1500 W Winona! The market will be there every Wednesday through October 22nd from 3pm to 7pm featuring over 40 local vendors!

Click here for a list of vendors and pop up vendors!

Glenwood Sunday Market (GSM) is a farmers market in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, devoted to providing local, sustainably grown, and produced foods that are also organic whenever possible. Composed entirely of farmers and food artisans who work in our local food shed, our mission is to make sustainable, regionally produced foods accessible to our whole community. 

You can learn more about vendors and food access programs here!

Youth & Teen

The Senn Summer Arts Workshop is an opportunity for rising 7th and 8th grade students to create, build performance skills, and develop their artistic abilities over the summer. The workshop runs from July 14-25 from 9am-12pm at Senn High School. The workshop is free of charge! Register online.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 Student Advisory Council (SAC). The ISBE SAC provides students with an opportunity to build advocacy and leadership skills and lend their voices to policy development and important issues in education. The SAC meets with stakeholders, policymakers, and community partners virtually and in-person each month to examine research, brainstorm new ideas, and develop policy recommendations to present to the Board from a student perspective.​ You can learn more about the board on ISBE's Student Voices Page.

Applications are open until June 30th. You can apply here.

The Ballotpedia Fellows Program launched in June 2020 to provide high school and college students interested in politics with a service opportunity that helps develop subject matter expertise in political research. The program has grown over the years, and we welcome interested students, volunteers, and lifelong learners from all walks of life.

Fellows contribute 5-10 hours of work per week throughout the 8-week program, which can be completed at your discretion in order to accommodate your school schedule, extracurricular activities, and work commitments. By researching assigned local candidates and gathering key data points such as contact information, social media profiles, websites, and more, Ballotpedia Fellows play a crucial role in expanding the information available to voters nationwide.

Due to the competitive nature of this volunteer program, we require interested U.S. citizens or visa holders to apply with a resume and cover letter. Applications for the Ballotpedia Fellows Program now open! The Summer 2025 cohort will run from Monday, July 14 through Friday, September 12.

Hiring

Cook County is hiring! The Cook County Job Fair is on Thursday, June 26, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM for on-the-spot interviews and opportunities across multiple government sectors.

Secure your future in public service—register now here!

You can read more about the positions and apply online here.

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

1507 W. Morse Ave

Chicago IL 60626