Kelly's Update

I’m still adapting to the summer newsletter schedule…or the summer schedule generally. It feels like everyone in the house is on different schedules and we’re all trying to get a handle on it. I wouldn’t trade having the boys home for anything, although it’s probably pretty annoying for them that we save up things their height and strength are handy to help with around the house.

The garden is starting to really pop. I posted on socials that the cucumbering has begun. Last year, we were downright drowning in cucumbers, so I planted one fewer plant this year. That just seems to have had the effect of issuing the remaining two plants a challenge. We’ll be starting on pickling soon, and since inevitably some cukes end up hiding until they’re a little big for salads or pickles, I’m going to research whether there’s a way to store fresh tzatziki sauce as a way to use up the big guys. Sugar snap peas are pretty much done, lettuce is about to be done, and the tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers, and green beans are starting to set fruit.

Our interns, Ro and Fiona, are having a good time getting to know the district and have done a great job representing the office at community events. I know the whole team is looking forward to the annual RPBA Taco Crawl on Thursday. This is the first year in ages that I haven’t been able to attend, usually with the boys who look forward to this one work event all year! I’ve passed along my best crawl survival tips, including carrying some ziplocks for when you run out of room before you’ve hit every spot so I’m confident they’re up to the task along with Taylor, Delaney, and Rauly. If you see them out there Thursday, say hi!

On Wednesday, I’m excited to join Alderwoman Maria Hadden and Anjanette Young as the city council takes up the Anjanette Young Ordinance. Ms. Young was the victim of a wrong raid in 2019 and was forced to stand naked at gunpoint while Chicago Police Officers refused to acknowledge they’d broken down the wrong door. I am proud to be the chief cosponsor alongside Speaker Pro Tem Kam Buckner of HB1611, a statewide version of the ordinance being introduced by Ald. Hadden. We have been working on building support for the state version we introduced earlier this year and are hopeful that we can move forward soon, hopefully with momentum from the positive movement at the city level.

Sunday the 20th is an exciting day - the ceremonial first rides of the newly remodeled CTA Red Line with the official grand opening of the stations happening on Monday. I am sorry to miss it, but super excited for the completion of the project. The Ceremonial First Ride will take place Sunday at 8:00am, boarding at the Thorndale Station. Guests will ride a specially wrapped eight-car train south toward Bryn Mawr, where it will break through a commemorative banner before arriving at the platform. The Official Grand Opening will take place on Monday the 21st at 8:30am at the Argyle Station, featuring a ribbon cutting and remarks made to celebrate this major achievement. 

One of my favorite parts of the summer are all of the local farmers’ markets we have in our area. I’m looking forward to hitting them all. I love the varieties of food that each market has and love just grabbing something for dinner that day or getting produce to preserve that I can’t grow (blueberries anyone?).  We’re so fortunate to have so many opportunities to get fresh local produce nearby.

If you have a block party or other neighborhood event coming up, please shoot us a message at info@repcassidy.com so we can try to add it to our calendar and help to publicize it through our newsletter. As always, if our team can be helpful with anything at all, reach out and we will do our best to solve the problem.

Rep. Cassidy, Fiona, and Delaney touring NSHSS' Rogers Park Shelter, organized by Rep. Lindsey LaPointe's office

Need to Know Info

Our District Office will be closed on Thursday July 17th as well as Monday/Tuesday July 28th and 29th. You can always reach out to us at info@repcassidy.com and we will respond when we are back in the office.

International Non-Binary People's Day, first celebrated in 2012, is observed every year on July 14. Its date was chosen because July 14 is situated exactly between International Women's Day and International Men's Day, highlighting that non-binary individuals fall outside of traditional gender categories. Representative Cassidy's Office celebrates the diversity and resilience of the non-binary community!

On July 20th the CTA will open four new red line locations at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr.

Here are the locations of the new stations:

Lawrence: 1120 W. Lawrence Ave. Chicago, IL 60640

Argyle: 1118 W. Argyle St. Chicago, IL 60640

Berwyn: 1119 W. Berwyn St. Chicago, IL 60640

Bryn Mawr: 1116 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Chicago, IL 60640

Bryn Mawr – Hollywood entrance: 1119 W. Hollywood Ave. Chicago, IL 60640

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 they can work to ensure the safety of trans and nonbinary people.

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

Economic hardships happen from time to time. ComEd has set up a fund to assist their customers during tough times. The new Bill Payment Assistance Program provides grants of up to $500 for income-eligible customers whose accounts have a past due balance. This program also provides grants of up to $1000 for qualified non-profit organizations customers with a past due balance. ComEd’s goal is to keep powering your life, especially through the tough times when you need a hand. Please note: Income limits apply. Applications are now open.

You can check eligibility and apply here.

Neighborhood Shoutout

Featured in Block Club-

Smash Food Lab, founded by Andersonville resident Dustin Harder, operates out of a shared kitchen in Edgewater, offering a pre-order menu on weekends for neighbors to pick up — possibly while on their way to the beach. 

Last month, Harder launched his first menu, called Beach Bites. Pasta salad, sandwiches and other snacks are all pre-packaged, meant to be eaten cold and perfect to take to the beach, he said. The entire menu is also plant-based, with several items also nut-free and available in gluten-free form. 

You can check out their website and order here. Orders must be put in by Thursday for Saturday pick-up.

District Events

You can join your neighbors for free, family and pet-friendly performances every Wednesday evening through August 20, 2025 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the beautiful garden behind the Edgewater Historical Society Museum at 5358 N. Ashland Ave. Evenings of free musical entertainment by local musicians, and chances to visit with neighbors and make new friends.

Edgewater Historical Society Museum Garden

5358 N Ashland Ave

Wednesdays 6:00pm-8:00pm

You can find the schedule of performances here. Performance schedule is subject to change.

The Chicago Public Library Rogers Park Branch is hosting an event for kids ages 5-10 for a mixing colors, painting canvases and blowing bubbles event.

Thursday, July 17th from 2 PM - 4 PM

Chicago Public Library Rogers Park Branch

6907 N Clark Street

You can register online here.

Join RPBA for a fun-filled taco crawl and spice up your taste buds!

RPBA 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.

There will be a very, very limited amount of tickets the day of Taco Crawl available at registration. 

You can purchase tickets and find out which restaurants are participating at the RPBA website.

Jarvis Square will host a music and arts festival on July 19th on the 1500 Block of Jarvis in Rogers Park with live music, Lagunitas, food, drinks and vendors.

The schedule for the event:

2 PM - 4PM Amy and Kelly & The Beaver Moon Band

6 PM - 7PM She's Crafty

8PM - 10PM FINOM full band performance

Edgewater Chamber of Commerce and Rogers Park Business Alliance are joining forces to bring you a Happy Hour Networking! Mix and mingle with the Edgewater and Rogers Park business communities after hours. Everybody is invited. Don't forget to bring business cards! 

No cost for RPBA paid members (*with advance RSVP)

$20 for Non-Members

July 23rd, 5:00pm-7:00pm

The Rooftop at the Hampton Inn Loyola Station

1209 W Albion Ave

Admission includes light bites and beverages.

You can register online here.

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is pleased to present the annual Andersonville Summer Sidewalk Sale from Friday, July 25 – Sunday, July 27, 2025 from 9 am – 9 pm (hours vary by business). More than 40 businesses from 4800 to 5800 N. Clark St. and the adjacent side streets will 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.

July 25th-27th

9:00am-9:00pm

4800-5800 N Clark St.



You can find out more information and a list of vendors here.

The Indo-American Center is hosting a free Immigration Law Open House for 2 days, from 4 PM - 7PM, in each of the following months: July, August, and September. The Immigration open house, located at 6328 N California Ave, will provide consultations only and are limited to 30 minutes. Walk-ins are also welcome.

You can register online here.

Join the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce and Care for Friends at Aura on the Lake for a culinary showdown! Chefs Jacquelyn Lord and David Welch will compete to create delicious dishes using only pantry staples from Care for Friends. Guests will taste, vote, and crown the winning chef—who will return to cook the winning meal for Care for Friends clients.

Your ticket includes:

Pre-dinner mixer at Uvae Wine Bar & Kitchen w/sips and snacks

Transportation to Aura TBD. (Optional add-on coming soon)

Complimentary cocktail on arrival at Aura

Multi-course tasting from chefs Jacquelyn and David

Take part in dinner karaoke!

All proceeds will support Care For Friends' mission and support services to those in need in our community. Get ready for a night of flavor-packed excitement and philanthropy!

July 29th, 6:00pm-9:00pm

Aura on the Lake

5701 N Lakeshore

You can purchase tickets here.

Theatre

Update: Lifeline Theatre announced a one-week extension of the run of their Jeff-recommended, world premiere adaptation of War of the Worlds, based on the novel by H.G. Wells. Performances now run through July 20, 2025!

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 20, 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.

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

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

Situated just outside the district, the Argyle Night Market is an annual event that features food from local Argyle restaurants plus live cultural and musical performances on Thursday evenings each summer. This free outdoor event draws an average of 5,000 visitors each week and continues to grow in popularity. Part market, part street festival, this vibrant and award-winning event is located on Argyle, the city’s first shared street.

Thursdays

5:00pm-9:00pm

Argyle between Kenmore and Sheridan

To see vendors and entertainment schedule, visit their website here.

Youth & Teen

The Library is hosting a Queer Radical Fair and everyone is invited for a summer celebration of fashion, self-expression and community.

The event is Thursday, July 31st from 4:30 -8:30 PM at the Ping Tom Memorial Park (1700 S Wentworth Ave).

Calling all school-aged youth! Join the Chicago Public Library's 81 Club! With the 81 card, you gain access to electronic databases, homework help, ebooks and audio books, and are eligible to take home 5 library items. Already a CPS student? Just ask a librarian about the card at your local branch!

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

1507 W. Morse Ave

Chicago IL 60626