Kelly's Update

NOTE: We said we’d share the recording of our Transit Town Hall along with a survey on the proposed funding sources this week. Unfortunately, we need to tweak the survey a bit to reflect the issues currently in discussion, so we’ll put it out in next week’s newsletter instead.

Last week was another busy one, with news reports of stepped up activity by ICE all over the area, including in our area. The fear among our neighbors is very real, and reports of kids staying home from school and street vendors abandoning their corners drive home the very real and impossible choices families at risk are facing. And with the Supreme Court giving the green light to allow agents to use racial profiling rather than any evidence at all to justify stops, this is impacting legal residents, citizens, and undocumented folks alike. Our office has plenty of Know Your Rights Cards provided by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights for folks who want to have some handy to share with neighbors. In addition, our neighbors at Protect RP have been putting together trainings and coordinating folks interested in assisting with ICE Watch activities.

Protect RP started during the first Trump administration in response to his efforts to increase deportations then. They’ve clearly fine tuned their strategies this time around and are actively terrorizing communities all over the country. The forces that were on the ground in Los Angeles have been redeployed to Chicago and we’re seeing the same use of force and indiscriminate arrests that led to weeks of protests in Los Angeles. The folks from Protect RP have remained active since the first term, shifting into a mutual aid organization during the pandemic, so they were prepared to gear back up when it became clear that we weren’t dealing with idle threats this time. This weekend they, along with coalition partners in Rogers Park and beyond, put on a day-long direct action training to ensure that people participating in protests and other actions have the tools they need to be as safe as they can be. If you’re interested in getting more involved in Protect RP or want to find a training, reach out to them at protectRP626@gmail.com. Or, you can join them this Thursday at 7:30pm for the second installment of their community gathering: Bitch and Wine at Taste Food and Wine.

I spent most of last week at the Arnold Ventures Public Safety Boot Camp I mentioned in last week’s newsletter. I was invited to present on our efforts to get justice for criminalized survivors of gender based violence, the role of GBV survivors in crafting our state’s groundbreaking Pre-trial Fairness Act, and the importance of using data driven approaches to preventing escalation in high risk domestic violence cases. In addition to my presentation, we heard from the Deputy Secretary for Public Safety in New York as well as a researcher from Arnold Ventures in a well attended session where the audience had as much expertise and knowledge to share as the panel, which is always a great experience. There were other sessions on retail theft, staffing shortages in corrections and law enforcement, community corrections and supervision, and data challenges in corrections systems.

I was particularly interested in the session on corrections system’s challenges around data and technology and we talked about several issues that are timely for the state. A bill I passed in  was intended to ensure that people who completed programming while incarcerated could get credit for their positive acts, regardless of their sentence. The argument there is that folks who are engaging in self improvement through work, school, or treatment without regard for eligibility for credit are exactly the folks who are really doing the work of rehabilitation that should be the mission of IDOC and any corrections agency. Much of the work of calculating those credits has been stymied by IDOC’s antiquated systems and record storage protocols and the case is now being litigated through the Uptown People’s Law Center on behalf of incarcerated individuals and their families seeking sentence credit under Public Act 103-330. 

Even more recently, it was reported last week that IDOC has acknowledged that they are incapable of calculating our prison system’s recidivism rate. Honestly, of all the things that have enraged me about this agency over the last 14+ years in office, the fact that they can’t provide the one data point that speaks to whether or not they’re accomplishing their mission was beyond the pale. Whether someone returns to their community successfully or commits another crime is the only measure of a prison system’s performance that really matters. We call it the Department of Corrections for a reason. 

I was excited to sit in on “Building Data Capacity for Smarter Corrections” where we heard from the director of the Vermont Department of Corrections and an organization that works to assist corrections departments with modernizing and streamlining their work to be more effective and efficient while freeing up staff time for programming that is proven to be the key to successful reentry. I’m looking forward to an upcoming meeting with Recidiviz to learn more about how they can help us solve this critical problem preventing our ability to successfully reform our prison system.

On Thursday, I was able to join a handful of colleagues from the House and Senate at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Luncheon. By luck, I was assigned to a table with a constituent in Rogers Park who took the opportunity to ask me about the process for getting speed humps installed on his block where cars frequently fly by. While that’s entirely a city issue, I shared my experience with this from when I lived in Andersonville when traffic calming devices were a relatively new thing that the then Alderwoman Mary Ann Smith was incredibly enthusiastic about. He was frustrated by the city process requiring proponents of speed humps to seek and get the signatures of 50% of their neighbors on the block before the city could proceed. I shared that over the years I’ve learned that there are some neighbors who have passionate opposition to the idea and that the signature gathering process helps to root out potential unintended consequences before proceeding with a change. Treasurer Mike Frerichs was the keynote speaker and began his speech by highlighting his office’s incredibly successful unclaimed property program. He illustrated just how robust the program is by calling out companies in the room who had significant unclaimed property currently held by his office. It was a little like hearing Bob Barker from The Price is Right as the Treasurer called out “Inland Real Estate, come on down” while handing them the paperwork needed to claim their property that was in the neighborhood of $500,000. He continued through half a dozen or more entities that make up the board of directors of the Chamber, ultimately calling out around $2 million dollars in assets that could be claimed by folks in the room. You too might have a nice chunk of change sitting there waiting for you: https://icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/app/claim-search

Treasurer Mike Frerichs delivers his keynote speech at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Luncheon.

Kelly taking a selfie with colleagues at the luncheon!

Friday was the 50th Anniversary Gala for the Illinois Environmental Council and I was happy to join with colleagues in coming together to celebrate the groundbreaking work of IEC and their member organizations. The 14th District’s own Jen Walling gave a moving speech about the intersectionality of environmental justice, specifically calling out attacks on migrants and the LGBTQ community, while sharing IEC’s rich history of coalition building. At the end of the night, we all cheered as the board announced that Jen was being promoted to CEO of IEC! Join me in congratulating our neighbor Jen Walling for this much deserved recognition of her work in growing IEC into the powerhouse advocacy organization it has developed into under her leadership!

Newly appointed CEO Jen Walling delivers speech!

Finally, mark your calendars for November 11 when Rogers Park’s own George Otto will be the featured speaker at a Loyola University program commemorating the 87th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Mr. Otto is a retired professor who at 95 continues to stay incredibly busy with his work on behalf of retired teachers and professors through the Cook County College Teachers Union, the Polish National Congress, and various neighborhood organizations. He was a young boy when the Nazis invaded his home country of Poland and will share his memories as well as the amazing path that led him to our community. More information on the event is included below.

For everyone taking part in actions this week aimed at keeping our neighbors safe, thank you and stay safe.

Need to Know Info

Please join us in welcoming our new fall intern, Aidan! Aidan will be with our office until December. Get to know Aidan below:

"Hi! My name is Aidan, currently entering my sophomore year at Northwestern University, and am originally from the Bay Area, California. I am a double major in Economics and Social Policy with a potential minor in creative writing. On campus I am currently involved in the club baseball team and a sports analytics group. As you can tell I love sports, however I also love writing, music, and cooking. Having grown up in California, I am incredibly passionate about homelessness, providing affordable housing, and gun control. I'm super excited to be working with Rep. Cassidy's office this fall!"

Given the lack of specifics being shared with the city and state, it’s difficult to say with any certainty what to expect, but also important to get as much information and resources out to targeted and impacted communities as possible to try to mitigate the harms this invasion will cause. Our Know Your Rights Resources page will be the best way to stay on top of developments and resources and we’ll keep our social media accounts updated as we learn more.

The Illinois Department on Aging is hosting constituent engagement sessions across Illinois to gather input on its Multi-Sector Plan for Aging. While the in-person events are out of district, please refer to the virtual option below!

Virtual (WebEx)

Thursday, October 2nd at 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Please click here to register.

Click on the image above for more information and funding guidelines.

The Mayor’s Office of Reentry, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), will distribute $540,000 in microgrants to community-based non-profit organizations providing direct services to returning residents in the city of Chicago:

Focus areas are:

1. Mental Health & Wellness - Activities could include healing circles, yoga or promoting education and access to trauma-informed care.

2. Other Reentry Supports - Direct services may include but are not limited to housing assistance, employment assistance, family reunification,

peer mentorship, or legal aid.

The application period ends September 26th.

To learn more, visit The Office of Reentry website.

To Apply you will need to:

1. Create an account with United Way of Metro Chicago’s e-CImpact system, or log in to your existing account, at United Way of Metro Chicago: Agency Site.

2. Email CommunityImpact@LIVEUNITEDchicago.org to request access to the application *Request will be processed within 1-2 business days.

LIHEAP applications open October 1st!

LIHEAP offers heating and electricity assistance through the DVP and PIPP Programs to income eligible households. DVP issues a one-time benefit applied directly to your utility accounts. Assistance is available to help households with their heating (natural gas, oil, or propane) and/or electric bills. Cash payments are also available to eligible renters who do not have heating bills because their energy costs are included in the rent. PIPP enrolls you in a budget bill program that provides a monthly benefit toward your bill and offers the opportunity for past due balance forgiveness.

To learn more, contact CEDA or click here.

Join the City of Chicago to celebrate Public Safety Awareness & Preparedness Month! This exciting community fair brings together public safety professionals, city agencies, and neighbors to connect, learn about safety resources, experience hands-on demonstrations, engage in kid-friendly activities with public safety officers, and explore career opportunities in public service. 

Food sponsors include the Chicago Police Foundation and Salvation Army. Blood pressure/Glucose/PSA Screenings, Vaccinations, and on-site physicals will be provided by Walgreens, Onyx, Jewel Osco, Oakcrest Labs along with much much more!

Saturday, September 27

11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Public Safety Headquarters

3510 S. Michigan Avenue

Free admission but registration is required! You can register online here.

You can find a list of participating departments, agencies, and community organizations here.

Neighborhood Shoutout

Over 30 local paddlers came together last month for a beautiful morning of community building on the lake. The shore of Leone Beach Park was filled with kayaks and paddle boards for the first ever Community Paddle hosted by Leone Beach Park Advisory Council (LB PAC). Such an enthusiastic turn out is an important step in LB PAC's efforts to strengthen community and awareness of Leone Beach as a launch point for paddle craft. One of the PAC's long-term goals is to partner with the Chicago Park District to improve the park's paddling infrastructure.

To learn more about LB PAC, including how to join for the next Community Paddle, email leone.nature@gmail.com or find them on social media

(Instagram @leonenature and Facebook @LeoneBeachNature).

District Events

This past Saturday, September 20th, saw the beginning of Charmers Cafe's Fall Plant and Pumpkin sale! Stop by to pick up some fresh plants and gourds from Illinois Farmers.

Charmers Cafe

1500 W Jarvis

Weekdays from 7am-5pm

Saturdays from 8am-5pm

Now is your chance to say it like it is, and just get it off your chest! It can be about the grind of living under capitalism, it can be about this fascist administration, it can be about a bad hair day -- but know that whatever it is, you will have an audience that is all love and support. If you'd like to rant with a crowd on Thursday, September 25, 7:30 pm at Taste Wine and Food -- just fill out this form. While the hosts can't promise they'll get to everyone, they contact folks ahead of time!

Taste Wine and Food

1506 W Jarvis Ave

Thursday September 25th

7:30pm

The Edgewater Branch Library is presenting a program on architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, who worked with Frank Lloyd Wright and were influenced by Louis Sullivan.

Saturday, September 27th

2pm to 3pm

Edgewater Library Branch

6000 N Broadway

The Rogers Park Singers is a small group of 15+ individuals with a variety of vocal ranges and experience levels who love to sing together. Their goal is to provide an opportunity for singers to participate in a choral community, improve individual vocal skills, and experience choral performances. RPS is an inclusive group that practices and performs a variety of genres, both sacred and secular. Members are not just from Rogers Park but come from across the city. The choir has developed a supportive and fun community while working hard on improving their skills and creating beautiful music. The choir rehearses on Saturdays from 12pm-1:30pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church (1500 W. Elmdale) and performs occasionally at local community events and concerts. Anyone interested in the choir is encouraged to check out their website and fill out an interest form. Each 10 week session costs $120, but no interested members will be turned away for lack of experience or inability to pay the session fee.

Fall 2025 Session Dates: September 27, October 4,11,18,25, November 1, 8, 15, 22

Family Matters partners with youth, families, and communities to cultivate a way of living in the world that develops strong relationships, meaningful communication, and safe environments for courageous social change.

Tutor-Mentors are matched in a one-to-one relationship with youth in grades 1-12. During the academic year, tutor-mentors meet with youth once per week (Monday through Thursday) for 90 minutes in the evening (from 6:30 to 8:00 PM). Tutor-Mentors are supported through individualized lesson plans and trainings.

If you are interested in volunteering you can learn more here or email pl@familymatterschicago.org.

Congressman Mike Quigley is hosting a Senior Fair and Vaccine Clinic on Thursday, September 25th from 9:30am-1:00pm at the Northeast Levy Center (2019 W Lawrence Ave). Though this event is *technically* not in district, we encourage our constituents to attend and learn more about federal, state, and local agencies. Flu shots will also be available on site.

Taste of Uptown is BACK! The 9th Annual Taste of Uptown celebrates Uptown's amazing cultural and culinary diversity. This restaurant crawl will feature small bites and samplings from Uptown eateries. Participants will receive an event "passport" to keep track of their samplings, with a choice from two different routes. For tickets and more information, please click here.

CMAA provides free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to adult immigrants and refugees with limited English proficiency in both Chicago and Elgin. Classes range from beginner to advanced levels, focusing on preparing students for workforce integration and participation in society. Higher-level students can attend civics-focused ESL classes that include information about citizenship, health resources, and community resources relevant to life in Chicago and beyond. All classes incorporate employability skills and workforce readiness, ensuring students are prepared for the Chicago job market or further education opportunities.

Classes are available mornings, afternoons, and evenings throughout the week, as well as on Saturdays. Fall classes begin on October 13th. Students are encouraged to commit to the full length of the class term for maximum benefit.

Please check out their website for more information and to sign up.

Theatre

Enjoy two hour long solo performances from local creatives, comics, and performers at Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan. There will be a short intermission between shows. You can learn more here.

Curious Theatre Branch and Prop Thtr are pleased to announce the dates for the 36th Annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival, Chicago’s longest running theatre festival. The 2025 Rhino Fest returns September 4 - 28 ​​at Facility Theatre, 1138 N. California Ave. in Humboldt Park, Labyrinth Arts Club, 3658 N. Pulaski Ave. in Avondale and Jarvis Square Theatre, 1439 W. Jarvis Ave. in Rogers Park. For more than three decades, Rhino Fest has endeavored to welcome as many theater and performance companies and artists from Chicago and across the nation. Tickets to the 2025 Rhinoceros Theater Festival are offered at pay-what-you-can pricing, with a $20 suggested price and are on sale at RhinoFest.com.

To see a full listing of shows playing at the Jarvis Square Theatre as a part of Rhino Fest 2025, Click here.

A world premiere play by Kimberly Dixon-Mays and directed by Christopher Wayland:

In the pursuit of joy, does method matter? Two siblings - opposites and estranged - take one last shot at putting grief behind them to create the joy they both seek. But their daring project can only succeed if they can accept each other's special magic. A world premiere original play by Chicago playwright Kimberly Dixon-Mays, Rabbits In Their Pockets began in Lifeline’s 2024 BIPOC Developmental Workshop.

Running September 6th-October 5th

Lifeline Theatre

6912 N Glenwood Ave

Tickets can be purchased here.

Raven Theatre is hosting 3 single-day theater camps on CPS days off - designed for kids who love stories, adventure, and imagination! From 9am-3pm, campers dive into the worlds of their favorite books, exploring characters, plots, and magical adventures through acting, movement, improv, and hands-on projects. For more information and to register, click here!

A new adaptation of Chekhov's The Seagull created by Instrumental Theatre Company, directed by Skylar Grieco. Working together as an ensemble, they have been adapting the text, creating original music, and finding unique ways for this piece to blend together and deepen the connection between audience and performers.

The Seagull runs September 11th - 27th.

Berger Park Mansion

6205 N Sheridan Rd

Thursday & Fridays @ 7:00 PM

Saturdays @ 5:00 PM

You can find out more and get tickets here.

Here’s The Exit is thrilled to present the Chicago premiere of Wayfinding by Whitney Rowland, an exquisite new story about grief, connection, and finding the way home. Jane is an emotionally-numbed new widow. Harrison is an inattentive, self-sabotaging fiancé. In seeking escape, these two strangers collide, tangling their life lines and setting them on a time-bending journey. Catch this new show at the Berger Park Coach House (6216 N. Sheridan Road) from October 6th-18th!

Based on the book by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin

Originally published by Simon & Schuster, used with the permission of Pippin Properties Inc

Adapted by ensemble member James E. Grote

Music and lyrics by George Howe

Directed by ensemble member Amanda Link

It’s Halloween! Duck, Pig, Cow, and Hen can’t wait to throw a party. But when mean ol’ Farmer Brown refuses to allow the festivities, it’s going to take some clever trickery to enjoy the tasty treats. Join the beloved barnyard crew as they teach Farmer Brown that sometimes a little scare can be big fun, in this musical adaptation from the beloved Click, Clack, Moo series. 

Recommended for kids 5 and up and their families. Click Clack BOO! is the fifth musical adaptation in Lifeline’s popular Click Clack Moo series.

For more information and tickets click here.

Weekly 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 through the month of September in the Broadway Armory parking lot (5917 N. Broadway).

The last 2025 Edgewater Monday Market will be Monday, September 29th.

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!

The last 2025 Andersonville Farmers Market will be Wednesday, October 22nd.

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 a local food shed, their mission is to make sustainable, regionally produced foods accessible to the whole community. 

The last 2025 Glenwood Sunday Market will be Sunday, October 26th.

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

Youth & Teen

Beginning September 6th, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago will launch the second year of their Water Works Youth Workforce Development and Career Exploration Program at the Lake View YMCA (3333 N Marshfield Ave).

Water Works is a paid, 11-week program for youth ages 16 to 24, combining swim instruction with career exploration in aquatic professions such as lifeguarding, swim instruction, and other water-related fields. Participants earn a stipend while gaining critical water safety education and building job readiness skills.

Their mission is to reach under-resourced communities that have historically faced barriers to water safety education and career pathways.

Program Details

Dates: September 6 – November 22, 2025

Schedule: Tuesday–Friday, 4–7 PM; every other Saturday, 9 AM–3 PM

Location: Lake View YMCA – 3333 N Marshfield Ave

Eligibility: Ages 16–24 (additional qualifications discussed during interviews)

Compensation: $16.60/hour stipend

Apply Here: 2025 Water Works Application

This fall, After School Matters is offering hundreds of programs across the city between September 23rd and December 13th. Programs are available to Chicago high school teens ages 14-18. Pursue a new passion, build community, and earn money at the same time! For more details, click here.

Hiring

Click the image above for full job description document.

Chicago House empowers persons living with or vulnerable to HIV/AIDS to

lead healthy and dignified lives, through housing and compassionate,

client-centered support services. They are hiring a paralegal:

The paralegal will assist the legal director in providing holistic and

affirming legal services, self-help legal assistance, and legal education to transgender and gender expansive people; assist policy advocacy efforts and support the overall mission of the TransLife Cares Program. This position is primarily remote but will require some in person work including staffing drop in clinics on the north, west and south sides of Chicago. The primary practice areas of the program are legal name changes, public benefits appeals,

criminal records sealing and expungement, employment law (wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment) and housing and public accommodations discrimination.

Click on image above to obtain full job listing.

The PRB is currently seeking candidates for a newly-created Commissioner role. Commissioners must be attorneys licensed in the State of Illinois. This is a part-time contractual role that will be paid an hourly rate. 

Illinois Senate Bill 19, which recently became law, allows the PRB to “appoint commissioners to assist it in such manner as it directs and may discharge them at will.” Commissioners must be attorneys licensed to practice in the State of Illinois. They are required to take trainings at the start of their service and before they take part in any hearings, as well as continuing education throughout the year. Commissioners will be compensated for the training hours. The PRB is in the process of identifying an initial group of Commissioners to help pilot this new role. During this pilot phase, the precise work that Commissioners will perform is subject to change.

To apply or learn more about this opportunity, please email a resume, including a list of references, to the PRB Chief of Staff, Melissa Brandenburg at Melissa.m.brandenburg@illinois.gov. 

State Representative Hoan Huynh in partnership with the Illinois Department of Employment Security, Equus Workforce Solutions, and Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership present a Fall 2025 Job and Resource Fair to provide employment opportunities and community resources for community members.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 10 am - 1 pm

Truman College

Cafeteria in the Main Building

1145 W. Wilson Ave. Chicago, IL 60640

Registration required:

Job Seekers can register here.

Employers can register here.

It’s that time again, Illinois! IDOT is hiring 1,600+ temporary Winter Highway Maintainers across the state for the 2025–2026 snow and ice season. Help maintain and repair roads, bridges, and more — and keep Illinois moving safely this winter.

Requirements:

✔️ HS diploma or equivalent

✔️ CDL B with N or X (Class A by year 3)

✔️ 1 year clean driving record

You can apply here!

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.

The MWRD is an award-winning wastewater and stormwater management agency. They have been protecting Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and other local waterways from pollution for over 130 years. Also, for 20 years they have been leading efforts to reduce flooding throughout the Chicago region. They have contributed to technological advances that have changed how the world treats wastewater and how communities manage stormwater and flooding.

If you are looking for new career opportunities, consider the MWRD. You can visit their online employment center to apply and learn more about employment opportunities and the selection process. 

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

1507 W. Morse Ave

Chicago IL 60626