Kelly's Update

What a fun Halloween week as we turn the calendar to November. Don’t forget to vote, whether at your closest early voting site or at your polling place on Tuesday!

This week’s Candy Crawl on Morse was so much fun. I had a ball, and I’m pretty sure the team did too. Two perfect moments: early in the evening, I went over to Maria Hadden’s office to say hi and to see everyone’s costume and encountered an adorable 3-4 year old dressed as a bumblebee. Proudly showing me a bag our little bee friend said “used to be a candy bag,” I couldn’t control my inner toddler and put a piece of candy in the bag declaring, “Look! It’s a candy bag again!” Well, my little friend wasn’t sure what to do with that but after a moment’s thought, the little bee turned the business end towards me and declared, “Sting!” We all laughed really hard and appreciated their spunk. Later, as the evening was winding down, Rauly and Carlos were giving candy to a family with a few little ones who weren’t really facing me. I guess it’s helpful to share that I was wearing a go to purple witch costume, hat and all at the time. Anyway, as the kids are getting their candy, the youngest kid, also somewhere between 3 and 4, casually tosses over his shoulder “Hola, bruja!” as we all just doubled over with laughter. Both of these encounters made me miss having little ones around for Halloween, but it was so fun to share the evening with neighbors.

We’re getting closer to reconvening for Veto session, but first we have to get through the election. If you haven’t voted yet, you can vote at any early voting location in the city. Early voting sites are open Weekdays from 9-6, Saturdays from 9-5, Sunday from 10-4 and Election Day from 6-7. On Election Day on Tuesday, you can vote at your designated precinct polling place or at any early voting location in the city. All polling places can accept your mail-in ballot. If you need to find your polling place, check HERE. While the office will be closed for the state holiday, I will be keeping an eye on our email and phones in case anyone needs us.

The week after the election, we’ll be heading back for Veto Session. It’s still not clear how much we’re going to work on in Veto as opposed to Lame Duck session in January, but as we get more details, we’ll share them here in the newsletter and on our social media channels. 

There’s been a lot of attention paid to issues related to the Chicago Public School Board in the last few weeks. It’s been frustrating to see the very real issues that should be front and center in conversations about school board oversight get lost in embarrassing stories of disqualifying statements and actions on the part of the current Board. Honestly, I’d love to be engaged in thoughtful discussions of school oversight policy rather than the social media postings of appointed board members, but this is where we find ourselves. I’ve been in contact with my colleagues who take the lead on education administration issues and look forward to working with them to identify pragmatic policies that will lead to more effective and accountable oversight of Chicago Public Schools.

This weekend also brings the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. I’m grateful to no longer have to navigate confused kids through this change and curious if we’ll ever settle the savings time vs standard time debate, but I’m definitely on team cut it out, especially right before the election. I hope you all navigate the clock change as well as possible. 

Our office will be closed on Tuesday November 5th. You can email us at info@repcassidy.com and we will get back to you as soon as we are back in office on November 6th.

Early Voting for the November 5th general election is now open! Early voting sites are open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 4. Most early voting sites are also open Election Day. You do not need to live in the ward to vote at that ward’s early voting site. You can vote at any early voting site.

In the 14th district, the following voting sites are now open:

50th Ward: Northtown Library, 6800 N. Western Ave

49th Ward: Willye B. White Park, 1610 W. Howard St.

48th Ward: Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway

40th Ward: Budlong Wood Library, 5630 N. Lincoln Ave.

The Chicago Park District has opened up its 2025 application for concession workers. This is a tremendous opportunity for small businesses to offer concession services on park district property!

The following information includes important dates to look out for:

Important Dates:

Pre-submittal meetings (VIRTUAL)------------------------------------------- Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 1pm

(Or)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 6pm

Application Due Date----------------------------------------------------------

3:00 PM on November 22, 2024

Recommendation of Award---------------------------------------------------

February 2025 Timeframe

Concession operations ready for 2024 concession season--------------

Memorial Day Weekend 2025

*       The schedule is subject to change.

Pre-submittal meeting (VIRTUAL)

Times: 1pm – 2pm am CST – Wednesday, November 6 , 2024

or 6pm – 7pm am CST - Tuesday, November 12, 2024

This meeting is not mandatory, but encouraged, especially if you have questions or require additional information regarding the Notice of Availability or the Park District’s concession program.

Here is the LINK to access the Zoom meeting.

The Field Museum is launching extended hours for four upcoming Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. with deeply discounted All Access Pass tickets: $20 for Chicago residents and $25 for everyone else. The next offering of extended hours is on October 23rd.

More info can be found by clicking HERE 

As a reminder, general admission from 9 am-5 pm remains free for Illinois residents on Wednesdays! 

Also, our office offers a free Museum Pass that can be checked out to access the Field Museum and many other museums around Chicago! More information about the pass and a form to check out the pass can be found on our website by clicking HERE.

Thursday November 14th Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita's office will be hosting a Free Turkey Giveaway here at our office 1505 W Morse Ave. Join us along with A Just Harvest and the offices of Alderwoman Maria Hadden, State Senator Ram Villivalam, State Rep Kevin Olickal, and Alderman Andre Vasquez

Thursday November 14th, from 6pm-8pm

1507 W Morse Ave

Turkeys are first come first serve and available until we run out.

Neighborhood Shoutout

By revisiting the past, this pop-punk/indie rock musical puts a mirror against current issues still faced by the queer community after the legalization of gay marriage. The musical takes a glimpse into queer lives in 2008 right before the election of President Obama. Since then, every election has used queer lives for political gain in the midst of unrest, and each election—including this year—has become a time of uncertainty for humanity, equality and queer rights. By taking a genuine look back at the reality of queer life in 2008, audiences will come to question if the changes made since have really been enough. Centered around sex, family, the fight against discrimination, and self-acceptance in the queer community, the vibrant musical is a joyful and a timely reminder of queer hopes through resistance and the power of chosen family. 

Sofa King Queer opens November 1 and runs till December 2, at Edgewater's Berger Park Cultural Center in the coach house (6205 N. Sheridan Road).

Nothing Without a Company is a nonprofit planting theatre around Chicago by telling the stories of historically marginalized voices through immersive and site-specific productions in reclaimed environments. Sofa King Queer is its first full production since COVID, with book, music & lyrics by Chicago playwright and company literary manager Kevin Sparrow, directed by JD Caudill, and music directed by Ron Attreau. The story follows a young queer man as his family and partners confront him with a choice between community and solitude, less than 24 hours before a breakaway concert. As his apartment above a punk rock venue becomes crowded with unexpected guests, a group of people navigate desire, family bonds, and societal pressures amidst the backdrop of a rapidly changing world. 

Tickets, Dates, and Times can be found HERE

In the District

Events in Rogers Park

The Kurdish Cultural Center of Illinois is proud to present the inaugural Chicago Kurdish Film Festival, a two-day celebration of Kurdish culture, heritage, and storytelling through the medium of cinema. This groundbreaking event seeks to immerse and introduce audiences to the richness and diversity of Kurdish narratives.

The festival will showcase a curated selection of narrative and documentary films, both features and shorts, though the eyes of Kurdish filmmakers both in Kurdistan and in the diaspora. This year’s theme is Kurdish history, conflict, traditions, as well as contemporary issues.

This film festival is a testament to the power of storytelling not only as an art form but as an act of resistance. The compelling personal narratives will give audiences an understanding of Kurdistan with more depth, nuance, and poignance.

This event will take place on November 2 – 3, 2024 at Loyola University's Damen Cinema (6511 North Sheridan Road)

To learn more about this event and to purchase tickets, click HERE!

A Just Harvest is hosting its second annual Freedom Concert at Willye B White Park (1610 W Howard) on Sunday, November 3rd from 2-5 pm!

From A Just Harvest's Website:

This concert gathers our community: the people of our Rogers Park and North of Howard neighborhood and all the surrounding neighborhoods who make up the A Just Harvest community, alongside the many businesses, corporations, grassroots organizations, and communities of faith who create community and build power with us to work for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice for every member of our society.

This free event is open and accessible to all neighbors seeking to celebrate with us. Guests will enjoy a celebration of music that showcases the richness of our local community, while learning about the work of A Just Harvest. Funds raised through the 2024 Freedom Concert will support A Just Harvest’s work toward feeding hungry people, organizing for an equitable justice system, and creating economic opportunity.

Following the concert, we will invite all attendees to travel with us to the nearest early voting location, to exercise our right to vote together.

To purchase tickets for this event, click HERE!

To learn more about this event, click HERE!

Live Lit (n): A fast-growing genre of live performance that involves a microphone, a story and an audience, typically performed in a bar or bookstore.

Chicago’s premiere storytelling and Live Lit festival returns for its 28th year! Lifeline Theatre presents a vibrant celebration featuring a diverse array of performers, including a dozen storytelling collectives and numerous solo artists. The festival offers two weeks of powerful personal stories, spanning comedy, drama, and more. You don’t want to miss this chance to experience the rich tapestry of Chicago’s storytellers.

Catch the festival at two different locations; Lifeline Theatre (6912 N. Glenwood Ave.) and The Rhapsody Theater (1328 W Morse Ave.) in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood.

This event takes place from November 8th through the 17th. There is also a FREE kick-off event at Rapsody Theater on November 6th at 7 pm.

Single event tickets are being sold for $12 and festival passes are offered at $45.

To learn more about this event and all of the performers taking part in it, click HERE.

Click HERE to purchase tickets for a single event or a festival pass.

The 24th district is hosting a series of community conversations to discuss the 2025 strategic plan. The second meeting will be held at Pottawattomie Park (7340 N Rogers Ave) at 6:30 pm on November 14th.

For more information about this event, please contact the 24th district community policing office at 312-744-6321.

To register for this event, please click HERE.

Events in Edgewater

Saturday, November 2 @ Families Together Nursery School, 1500 W. Elmdale Ave. in Chicago

10 am - 11 am/Families Together Exclusive Shopping Hour

11 am - 1 pm/ Shopping Open to the Public

The Families Together Clothing & Toy Swap is a great opportunity to get gently used men's, women's and children’s clothing as well as children's toys out of the house and into a new home. Then pick up some new-to-you items at the best possible price… free! You do not need to donate to participate in the Swap. The Swap is open to everyone (see shopping hours above).

To donate items, please sort your clothes and label your bags by age. Current FTCNS families can bring donations during school hours. Donations from the community can be brought to the school on Friday, November 1 from 1 to 5 p.m.

The Edgewater Environmental Coalition, in partnership with other local offices, is hosting its annual pumpkin smash on Saturday, November 9th from 10 am to 2 pm at 6040 N Clark. This is a great opportunity to not only dispose of your pumpkins in an environmentally conscious way, but to also learn more about composting!

The EEC is also looking for volunteers to help staff the event! There are a variety of open positions available, and more information can be found by clicking this LINK.

The Edgewater Memory Cafe is hosting its monthly tech talk at the Edgewater Libray ( 6000 N Broadway) on Thursday, November 14th from 1-2 pm in the Betty A Barkley Community Room. This monthly program helps older adults and new users understand their personal computer, phone, or tablet.

This month's topic is: "Take Control of Your Email"

This event is FREE and no RSVP is required!

Chicago’s Uptown arose in the early 20th century due to advances in public transportation. In less than 20 years, what had been a hamlet transformed into a bustling district.

Located just south of Edgewater, Uptown is one of Chicago’s most lively, colorful and architecturally distinct communities. Join author Jacob Lewis Hall, who recently published a new pictorial tour of the community, looking back on both its glory days and long-time struggles.

Saturday, November 16th at 2:00 p.m.

Edgewater Branch, Chicago Public Library

Betty A. Barclay Community Room

6000 N. Broadway

Events in Andersonville

Get ready to unleash your inner Viking at the annual Viking Pub Crawl in Andersonville on Sunday, November 17 from 3-6 PM! Join your Andersonville neighbors as they journey through Andersonville’s best bars and restaurants, enjoying drinks, laughs, and camaraderie with fellow Norse enthusiasts!

Dress in your Viking best, because the costume contest is back! Show off your creativity and spirit for a chance to win amazing prizes. Whether you’re a fierce warrior or a Viking royalty, this pub crawl promises a memorable day in the heart of Andersonville. So gather your crew, don your finest faux furs, and let your imagination run wild!

Group discount for groups of 6 or more. Contact info@andersonville.org for a group ticket buy.

For more information on participating businesses, click HERE.

To purchase tickets, click HERE.

Youth & Teen

No School Day Camps: Mon Nov 4th-Tues Nov 5th (CPS Report card pickup and Election Day closures). Camp theme: Standing up for others

Looking for fun, interactive, and empowering Day camp options for the days when CPS is closed? Culture of Safety’s No School Day Camps are empowering and emphasize accessibility and support for neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ youth. Located @ 6961 North Clark Street (Clark & Morse). Open to kids age 6-12. Pricing is sliding scale. All camp days include karate basics and mindfulness exercises as well as verbal practice, discussions, and other activities around the camp theme of the day. 

To see the full Fall schedule and sign up online, click HERE.  

If you are a young person aged 16-24 who's interested in pursuing a healthcare career but either don't know where to start or can't afford the training you need, we can help! YJC has partnered with TTI Medical School and Chicago Instruction Center to connect interested young people with training and certification in the following categories:

Patient Care Technician (PCT)

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

EKG Technician

Phlebotomy Technician Training Certification

Email our healthcare program coordinator Sara at algawerash@youthjobcenter.org to learn more

Job Openings

DCEO is hiring! We have a variety of openings across the state, including:

✔️ Workforce Reporting, Performance Unit Manager

✔️ CEJA Small Business Manager

✔️ Deputy Chief Internal Auditor

✔️ Corporate Accountability Program Manager

Apply today!

Chicago Conservation Corps’ Fall 2024 Sustainability Leadership Training is your way to spark change in your community. You will receive training from C3 Experts representing established organizations already invested in sustainability work. After completing the Sustainability Leadership Training, C3 Leaders become sustainability champions in their communities and receive funds and individualized museum staff support for an unlimited number of sustainability projects.

To participate in the training course, you must be 18+, attend an information session, and submit a short application. Class will be held online via zoom on Wednesday evenings, 6:00pm - 8:00pm, October 2nd - November 20th. Visit chicagoconservationcorps.org or email c3@naturemuseum.org with questions. 

Info Session Dates:

Virtual on Thursday, September 19 @ 12:00pm

In person at the Nature Museum on Saturday, September 21 @ 6:00pm

We'll also have a recorded version available on C3's website shortly after.

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is hiring a Research and Analysis Manager. To apply and see any other employment opportunities visit their website.

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

1507 W. Morse Ave

Chicago IL 60626