Kelly's Update

Coming down off the rush of activity for Pride and North Side Queer Pride, I went straight to a site visit for an innovative long term care program in Connecticut that serves people released from custody of their Department of Corrections and Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse when there’s been a determination that their condition renders them no longer a risk to the community and their care needs exceed the capacity of the facility they’re in. There’s a lot to unpack from that visit, and I’m looking forward to conversations over the months ahead about how such a facility can work to create better opportunities for compassionate release and improved outcomes. 

This week did bring the last of the United States Supreme Court’s decisions for this term, with yesterday’s announcement of the decisions upholding birthright citizenship in the win column and decisions in two cases involving transgender athletes landing in the loss (but not as bad as it could be) column. I issued a statement on the impact of the trans sports ruling you can read below. I also found this explainer of the cases, the foundations they’re based on and the full impact super helpful.

All of that to say that I don’t have a ton to add today since we’re heading into the holiday weekend. We’re closing early tomorrow and will be closed on Friday for the 4th of July holiday. Next week’s newsletter will hopefully tie up all the loose ends from session and Pride. Till then, stay cool and hydrated until this heat wave passes!

This weekend, Rep. Cassidy attended Proud to Run, an annual 5/10k run and 5k walk Pride Race at Montrose Grove. Over 1,200 participants gathered to raise funds for Youth Empowerment Performance Project, Trans Up Front Illinois, and Lighthouse Foundation. Congrats to all of the participants!

Our office was excited to participate in the very first North Side Queer Pride! It was great seeing all of our neighbors out celebrating!

Rep. Cassidy participated in a storybook reading and our office tabled along with several vendors and organizations at the Jarvis Square portion of the celebration.

Thanks to all who attended, participated, and helped make this weekend great.

Happy Pride!

Among the Pride festivities, Governer Pritzker also signed Rep. Cassidy's HB4834 into law! This bill will purge records of testosterone prescriptions from the Prescription Monitoring Program and will prohibit inclusion of medications used in abortion or gender affirming care if the federal government adds them to the list of scheduled drugs.

Need to Know Info

Excessive heat waves are forecasted throughout this entire week in Chicago and nearby suburbs, with temperatures projected to be as high as 96°F this week. These temperatures are dangerously hot. If possible, please do the following:

• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid going outside
• Keep electric lights off or turned down
• Minimize use of your oven and stove
• Wear loose, light, cotton clothing
• Don’t leave people or pets in a closed car, even for a few minutes
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors

Our office will be closed beginning Thursday, July 2nd at 1pm through Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day. You can leave us a voicemail at 773-784-2002 or email us at info@repcassidy.com and we will get back to you when we return to the office on Monday, July 6th.

Help support our students by donating school supplies! Our office is hosting a school supply drive in collaboration with Alderwoman Maria Hadden's Office, State Senator Mike Simmons' Office, and C24/7 Father’s Arms Ministries, starting Monday, June 15th, through Thursday, July 30th. All items must be sealed or brand new.

You can stop by any of our offices between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday to drop off donations: 

1. 49th Ward Office: 1447 W Morse Ave
2. State Representative Kelly Cassidy Office: 1507 W Morse Ave
3. C24/7 Office: 1543 W Howard St (between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday)

All supply donations will be distributed at our 49th Ward Back to School Bash on August 8th at Willye B. White Park. More details regarding this event will be published later in July.

On May 1, many Illinois SNAP customers lost benefits due to new restrictions imposed by the federal government. Customers who lost their benefits can find out if they may qualify for an exemption and how to meet work requirements by working, volunteering, and/or participating in a training or education program here: SNAPWorkRequirements.illinois.gov

For additional information on who is subject to the SNAP Work Requirement, exemptions from the SNAP Work Requirement, and more please reference this SNAP Work Requirements & Exemptions FAQ and use the SNAP Work Requirements Screener.

Your input can help shape the future of the community. CEDA is committed to serving the diverse needs of individuals, families, and households throughout Chicago and Suburban Cook County. Your participation in the 2026 Community Needs Survey helps CEDA better understand the needs, challenges, and opportunities facing Cook County communities.

Find the survey here in multiple languages.

Submit your entry now for the 2026 poster design contest. This image will be used to showcase this year’s festival on bulletin boards and in public spaces, as well as digitally. It should be easy to read, stylish, and radically welcoming to everyone in our community.

You can learn more at their website here. Submissions are due TODAY, July 1st!

Photo above is Joshua Peterson, last year's winner!

Everyone deserves the essentials that help them feel normal, confident and ready for the day ahead, North Side Housing and Supportive Services is collecting new towels, underwear, hats, shoes, and socks for men experiencing homelessness at their life-changing shelter. You can see what items they are requesting on their wish list here. You can order from any of your favorite online retailers and have the delivered to:

Rogers Park Emergency Shelter

7464 N. Clark Street

Chicago, IL 60626

Neighborhood Shoutout

Shoutout to Lifeline Theatre for a great run of their production LOKI-The End of the World Tour. Our Chief of Staff Taylor and a family member attended during its run and sang its praises to our office!

For more information about productions at Lifeline Theatre, visit their website.

District Events

Join the Fourth Annual Accessible Virtual Pride produced with and for disabled and LGBTQIA2s+ communities, with allies welcome, on July 4th and 5th. As an organizing strategy, this event collaborates with different pride celebrations across the country to help increase accessibility and livestream events throughout the year.

You can see a schedule of events here.

In this special anniversary month of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Chicago Northside AARP Community Group will take a look at the US's democracy from a unique perspective - that of Alexis de Tocqueville from 1831. The group will be doing so with a bit of a sense of humor and truth as Tocqueville saw it at the time. They hope to make folks consider democracy from a new perspective and engender conversation about today's democracy. 

Date: Tuesday, July 7 at 12:30PM

Location: 716 W Addison Lake View Presbyterian Church Third Space

Rivers and Roads Cafe is partnering with The Dropped Stitch to host Fiber Crafts Nights on the second Wednesday of every month! You can meet other fiber crafters and work on your projects while enjoying the cozy atmosphere of Rivers & Roads after hours.

Rivers and Roads Cafe

1259 W Devon Ave

Second Wednesday of every month

6pm-8pm

Join Trans Up Front for their pep rally/beach day!

Location: 4400 Lake Shore Dr, Montrose Beach

Time: 12:30PM- 4:30PM

Adult Summer Reading Bingo is BACK! Check out their in-store displays for book inspiration! 

RULES: For every BINGO you achieve (5 squares in a row—vertical, horizontal, or diagonal), you can fill out an entry form to win prizes! More info HERE. You can also drop off your completed paper bingo card at the bookstore.

Bingo runs until September 8th! 

Rogers Park Business Alliance is throwing a fiesta for TACOS and all the incredible Rogers Park spots along Camino Clark that serve up this beloved handheld treat! Tacos aren't just a meal they're a cultural treasure and a delicious tribute to Mexico's vibrant culinary heritage. Come and enjoy an afternoon dedicated to tacos, with plenty to savor and celebrate!

Choose from two tempting routes, each showcasing local culinary gems. Limited tickets will be available. The crawl will take place along Clark St. between Devon Ave. and Rogers Ave. on July 16th from 3pm-7pm.

Click here to see the list of participating restaurants and to purchase tickets.

Join Alderwoman Hadden's office as they host their Mid-Summer Block Party Town Hall on July 17th from 4pm-7pm with a performance from Circles and Ciphers!

Movies in the Parks returns this summer, bringing Hollywood movies and local films to local parks for the twenty-sixth season. Join them in the parks for classics from the Golden Age of Hollywood, retro childhood favorites, and the best family-friendly box office hits.



Click to download the full Movies in the Parks schedule here.

Theatre

In 1988, wrestling legend King Kong Bruiser was murdered. His killer walked away clean. In 2019, Johanna Goodish, daughter of the Bruiser, can’t seem to step out of his shadow. So she’s going to do the one thing that might shake off the ghost: she’s going to kill the man who killed her dad. And she’s going to do it in the middle of the ring, live on pay-per-view.

You can buy tickets here.

Show dates: June 11-July 18, Thursday, Friday & Saturday @ 8:00pm

Understudy Performance: July 6 @ 8:00pm

Industry Night: Monday, July 13 @ 8:00pm

Farmers Markets

Now in its 17th year, the Andersonville Farmers Market has gained a reputation in Chicago and beyond for creating an inclusive, vibrant gathering space that helps close the gap between the community and local foods. The market celebrates the diversity of the Midwest through a wide range of high quality products and goods from local farms and vendors.

The 2026 Farmers Market is open for business from 3PM to 7PM every Wednesday, May 13 through October 21. The Market operates rain or shine.

The Market is located on Winona St. between Clark St. and Ashland Ave. and the adjacent AT&T parking lot in the bustling Andersonville neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. 

For more information about the market, please visit www.andersonvillemarket.org  

Edgewater Monday Market returns for the 2026 season! Chicago’s ONLY Monday farmers market feature a diverse lineup of more than 40 vendors, including food, activities, entertainment and more! EBT/Link, Match Link Vouchers, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Coupons accepted.

Admission to the market is free for everyone and no advance registration is necessary. You can see the full list of vendors, schedule, and find out more information about the Edgewater Monday Market at Edgewater Chamber’s website.

Rogers Park Business Alliance has a great 17th season planned with veteran and loved food artisans and farmers. They invite everyone to come out and stroll the market to support local agriculture.

Find your favorite local foods, from fruits and veggies to baked goods & lunch items, to meats, cheeses, tofu and more at Rogers Park's favorite farmers market.

This is the place to get your grocery shopping done, meet a neighbor and support local farmers & food artisans.

Get ready to enjoy the very best seasonal foods from these amazing farmers and food artisans.

The Market will run Sundays from June 7 to October 25, 2026 (except June 28 and August 16).

This year, Jarvis Square is hosting a new farmers market on Monday nights! The Jarvis Square Twilight Markets run Mondays from 4:00pm-8:00pm, just steps from the Jarvis Red Line stop.

Youth

The City of Chicago is helping young people make the most of summer with a variety of free programs, events, and resources. From summer reading at the Chicago Public Library and activities in Chicago parks to youth opportunities through the My CHI app and community-led safe space events, the Get Into Summer initiative offers ways for teens and families to stay engaged, connected, and active throughout the season!

Discover new worlds at Lifeline Theatre’s Drama Camps! Children can explore their imaginations and hone their natural performing abilities while gaining sound theatre training in a fun-filled atmosphere. Their camps not only teach kids how to embody characters and act out stories, they also help them to gain confidence, express themselves, and work patiently and respectfully with each other.

For more information on dates, times, prices and age groups, please click on this link!

Hiring

Looking to start a new career? Find the right fit to help make a difference. IDHS offers a wide range of career opportunities.

Explore open career opportunities throughout Illinois here.

Visit an American Job Center to access employment resources, information about job training and more. Each center has knowledgeable staff that provide assistance to people who need career assistance. Assistance is available to youth and adults. All services are free.

Please call in advance to get information about hours, orientation, and workshop details.

1145 West Wilson Avenue

Room 1917

Chicago, IL 60640

(773) 831-5221

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

1507 W. Morse Ave

Chicago IL 60626