Kelly's Update

She’s baaaack! I tested negative earlier this week and have been slowly but surely getting back up to my regular speed. Thank you to my amazing team for keeping everything on the tracks and moving forward while I recuperated and thank you to everyone who reached out to check in and graciously rescheduled meetings I couldn’t make it to.

We had an amazing Secretary of State event at the office! We normally have one of these events each year as they are critical as so many are in need of services for essential identification cards. We also had the added benefit of having staff from the Illinois Tollway show up where they helped individuals get set up with an I-Pass account. Below are some of the stats from the event.

DMV Stats:

Drivers Licenses: 5

State Ids: 8

RealDL: 19

RealID: 5

Total RealIDs Issued: 24

Total IDs Issued: 37

I was also very happy that my wonderful spouse Candace Gingrich was able to obtain an updated ID to match their gender. As of April 1, Illinois residents now have three gender options, “M,” “F,” and gender-neutral “X,” on driver’s licenses and state identification documents. By doing this, Illinois joins 21 other states with similar policies.  Illinois residents wanting to change their gender can go to the DMV and complete a gender designation change form. The fee for a new driver’s license is $5 and for a new state ID card is $10. 

Candace Gingrich taking their photo at our DMV event.

Given that slowly but surely part, this was a fairly low key week. It was nice to get out in the neighborhood and see familiar faces, particularly at Thursday’s Rogers Park Business Alliance Taco Crawl. This amazing event is one of the few “work” related events that the boys are still willing to participate in. That was extra helpful this year as I wasn’t quite taco-ready, but they ate my share for sure!

As we head into next week, the schedule will be a little more full. I’m looking forward to checking in on bills we’re hoping to advance when we reconvene, like HB3158, the Natural Organic Reduction bill, as well as learning more about some of the needs and priorities local organizations are anticipating as we start to contemplate the next legislative session.

This weekend brings us the annual Truckin’ On Jarvis festival on Jarvis Square, with three live bands, food and drink, and neighbors dancing in the street. Hope to see everyone there!

Neighborhood Shoutout

Wild Onion Market Grand Opening

A month after its June 12 soft opening, Wild Onion Market, a full-service grocery co-op in Rogers Park, is putting on a gala Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, July 27, from 10 am - 4 pm.

Since its soft opening, the fledging co-op has brought on several new vendors including local farms, breweries, and ferments vendors, and now offers prepared foods and freshly baked bread. It also has obtained its liquor license and sells beer, wine, and spirits.

Shoppers will find “all the best local offerings, affordable organic staples, and fresh produce, with great selections throughout the store from gourmet cheese to bulk grocery on regular, rotating sales,” said General Manager Teresa Meza.

Some twelve years in the making, the co-op store features a wide variety of grocery items with a focus on fresh produce and local products. It also features a bulk grocery section where shoppers can fill their own containers with beans, grains, and more, as well as a tempting selection of grab-and-go items. 

The community-owned grocery is at 7007 N Clark (Clark and Lunt) in Rogers Park. Although the store is open to everyone, it will primarily serve customers and communities in Rogers Park, Edgewater, and West Ridge in Chicago as well as suburban areas like Evanston. The store at Clark and Lunt is conveniently accessible via bus, bicycle, Metra, and the ”L”, as well as by car. There is parking on site.

On July 27, the Wild Onion Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The store’s regular hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

In the District

Events in Rogers Park

Get ready to jam! This epic music festival takes over the 1500 block of Jarvis on July 20th at noon, and it's going to be a day to remember.

Incredible live music from local bands and artists will fill the air all day long, setting the perfect soundtrack for your summer fun. You'll find delicious eats from local food vendors, and a selection of local brews and refreshing drinks to keep you hydrated and happy.

The Shakedown Market will be filled with unique finds and handmade treasures, and the vibrant community atmosphere will make you feel right at home.

It's time for the Summer 2024 Open Studio and Gallery Exhibition at Greenleaf Art Center. 60+ Fine Art Painters, photographers, jewelers, ceramics artists, and more with all new work. Walk through the halls and studios and see what they have made! Entrance to the event is free! Please note that the parking lot fills up early but there is street parking available.

5 pm - 9 pm, 1806 West Greenleaf Ave, Chicago, IL 60626. 773-465-4652.

See a list of participating artists here.

@Danceintheparks is returning to Touhy Park on Friday, July 26 at 6:30 pm. It's closing night of the company's 16th season! The professional dance company will present a family-friendly show of jazz, modern, and contemporary dance works created and performed by Chicago professionals. The company will be joined by youth performance partners @synapse.arts. Bring a chair or blanket. Stage will be set up on the grass on the south side of the field house.

Whatever Spectrum Media Collective Announces Premiere of Short Film The Show!

Saturday, July 27th, 2024 at Rhapsody Theater (1328 W Morse Ave) whatever spectrum media collective will premiere their new short film, The Show!

The film is a short meditative comedy about teen outsiders from a Chicago Public High School who are brought together by classmate and artist, Rachel! The film celebrates the joyful and weird in-between spaces that queer, black, brown, and immigrant students create in a broken school system. It was developed as a collaboration between Chicago Public School Students (most from Sullivan High School in Rogers Park), educators, and filmmakers - with youth both in front of and behind the camera. 

It is free to attend, but you must reserve a ticket here to ensure you have a seat.

49th Ward Community Games

Join Alderwoman Hadden for our Community Softball and Kickball games at Willye B. White Park (1610 W Howard St)! No registration is required and everyone is welcome to play. Just bring yourself, your family and friends! Not sure if you want to play? Come out to cheer on your neighbors!

Theatre Above the Law is hosting its 3rd annual summer carnival fundraiser in Jarvis Square (1508 W Jarvis) on July 28th from 12PM-4PM. The event is FREE and welcomes all ages to attend. There will be games, prizes and so much more! All proceeds from the event go towards funding Theatre Above the Law's 9th Season.

If you are not able to attend, the theatre asks that you consider donating to them by visiting theatreatl.org

Events in Edgewater

On Sunday, July 28th at 3:00 pm the 24th District Council will be having their monthly meeting to talk about community policing and safety in the neighborhood. You can join in person at Metropolis Coffee (1039 W Granville) or you can register here to participate on Zoom.

Miles for Melanoma

The Melanoma Research foundation is hosting its "Miles for Melanoma" 5k race on Saturday, July 21 at Montrose Beach (4400 N Lake Shore Dr)! The event will help support the Chicago community by raising money for Melanoma Research. Each participant receives a UPF50 long sleeve Cabana Life shirt to keep you sun safe all summer! This year’s event emcee will be Whitney Reynolds, from "The Whitney Reynolds Show" and the weather looks like it will be fabulous!

To learn more about this event and to register for the race, click HERE.

Lakeview Township Property Reassessment Workshop

The offices of Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer and Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi are hosting a property tax reassessment workshop for Lakeview Township at Truman College's Theatre - Building 2 (1145 W. Wilson Ave) on Monday, July 22nd from 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM. You will have the opportunity to hear from the Assessor's Office to help you understand your reassessment notice and ask questions. County staff will be onsite for 1:1 assistance following the presentation. 

This event is open to the public and there is no need to RSVP. 

If you can't make it to this event, the Cook County Assessor’s Office will holding other events virtually and in-person so you can have an opportunity to ask questions.

To view all upcoming events visit www.cookcountyassessor.com/event-list.

Synapse Arts extends its gratitude to the community of artists, partners, collaborators, students, and families who have contributed to their longstanding success by hosting a Birthday Bash! The Birthday Bash is an invitation to celebrate these accomplishments together, and reunite as they celebrate the budding creators they are cultivating now.

Attendees will meet other artists of the Chicago community, watch dance performances live and onscreen, and are invited to participate in a special performance of Crosswalk Dances. The Birthday Bash is a celebration of Synapse Arts in a welcoming, festival-type environment. All attendees will have access to their open events and get a cupcake!

This event takes place on Saturday August 3rd, from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM at the Berger Park Cultural Center (6205 N. Sheridan Rd).

Opportunities at the event include:

• Free dance classes for kids 
• Two adult dance workshops by Kristina Fluty (donation required)
• Performances by the young artists of the Synapse Performance Troupe and dance professionals from our 20-year history, including Reign Drop, IS/LAND Performance Collaborative, Camila Rivero Pooley, Chrissy Martin, and more
• Dance film screenings with works by Maggie Bridger, Rahila Coats, Rachel Damon, and more
• Interactive museum tours led by Synapse artists (donation required)
• Crosswalk Dances on the lawn
• Make your own dance crafts
• Games and trivia
• A wild and wacky livestream
• Birthday cupcakes!

To learn more about this event, click HERE.

Beyond the Waters is hosting a Beach Party at Osterman Beach (5800 N DuSable Lake Shore Drive) on Sunday, August 25th from 12-5 PM. Beyond the Waters is a local organization that seeks to provide adaptive recreation opportunities for Chicago's disability community on the lakefront. Join them for music, food, and many activities at their beach party!

To learn more about the event, visit their Facebook page HERE.

Events in Andersonville

This Sunday, July 21st, the Andersonville Vintage Market returns, shop everything from the eclectic to the handmade from 10 am-4 pm at 1500 W Catalpa. July's market will include some returning favorites and brand new vendors. Come shop items from DMApothecary, Memory Hoard, Salvage Made Design, Goodbye Tony, and more! The event is free but there is a 5$ suggested donation.

A list of all the Vendors can be found here.

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is pleased to present the annual Andersonville Summer Sidewalk Sale from Friday, July 26 – Sunday, July 28 (hours vary by business). Join as more than 40 businesses from 4800 to 5900 N. Clark and adjacent side streets expand their storefronts to line the sidewalks with summer sales, bargain antiques, one-of-a-kind merchandise, fashion apparel and local treasures. Once again this year, independent musicians and other artists will perform throughout the district, entertaining shoppers and families as they explore the one-mile district.

Check here for a list of participating vendors!

Youth & Teen

Chicago Youth Service Corps

Chicago Youth Service Corps is a year-round program that provides paid opportunities for youth ages 16-24 to engage in community service, project-based learning, and leadership development. Chicago Youth Service Corps celebrates and welcomes diverse backgrounds and encourages you to bring your experience, background, and traditions to your service.

The application period for this program is year-round. To apply, click HERE!

Job Openings

Illinois Department of Transportation Temporary Hires

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is hiring for multiple temporary positions. Information about the role can be found by viewing the linked PDF. If you have any questions about the role or on how to apply, feel free to email our office at info@repcassidy.com and we can inquire on your behalf.

Census Field Representative Positions Open

The United States Census Bureau is accepting applications for its Field Representative Position through September 2024.

To apply click this LINK.

Howard & Evanston Community Center

The Howard and Evanston Community Center is seeking 2 part time English Language Aquisition Instructors. Applicants will have the opportunity to work at 2 different locations: In East Rogers Park, at 7548 N Paulina, in West Rogers Park at Northtown Library (6800 N Western Ave). The position is salaried at around ~29$/hr

To apply, email a cover letter and your resume to parkm@metrofamily.org

Perception Cannabis Now Hiring Multiple Positions!

Perception Cannabis will be opening soon on a schedule of 10 AM- 9 PM and is looking to hire locally within the Rogers Park/Edgewater Community!

Budtender - (Part Time and Full Time): 

We are looking for knowledgeable and friendly Budtenders to join our team. As the face of our company, the Budtender plays a crucial role in ensuring an exceptional customer experience while maintaining strict compliance with state regulations. This role involves educating customers about our products, staying informed about industry trends, and managing sales transactions effectively

Receptionist - (Part Time and Full Time): 

We are seeking a detail-oriented and responsible individual to join our team as a Retail Cannabis Receptionist. The receptionist plays a critical role in maintaining compliance with state regulations and ensuring a secure environment for both staff and patrons. This position involves rigorous verification of identification and other relevant documents to ensure that no one under the age of 21 enters the facility without a valid patient card.

Fulfillment Techs - (Part Time and Full time): 

Our company is seeking meticulous and organized Retail Cannabis Fulfillment Technicians to manage the accurate handling of our inventory, including the receipt, fulfillment, and labeling of products. This role is pivotal in ensuring that our operations remain efficient and compliant with all regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will have a keen eye for detail and excellent organizational skills.

To fill out your application today, please go to: www.perceptionfarms.com/careers

Trilogy: Open Positions

Trilogy Behavioral Health is looking to hire key mental health positions in its organization. Trilogy offers generous benefits and training opportunities. 

To learn more about open positions and to apply, click HERE.

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

1507 W. Morse Ave

Chicago IL 60626