Kelly's Update

It’s a quiet Sunday morning, there will be plenty of action here later when the boys come over for Mother’s Day. Our oldest and I have had a tradition of planting a salsa garden on this day to kick off the official start of garden season since he was in high school. I always look forward to seeing what level of fire he chooses in the pepper selection, but schedules and travel this year made it more practical for me to decide to be at the gate of Gethsemane Garden Center right when they opened at 9am. For those in the know, Gethsemane is an amazing garden center with incredibly broad varieties of flowers, trees, fruits, vegetables, garden sculptures, annuals, perennials…you name it. It’s a destination for folks from all over the area and Mother’s Day is traditionally an absolute zoo. It was rather lovely to casually wander the aisles with my coffee, selecting all sorts of fun stuff for the garden before things got too wild there. We’ll have some brunch later, then get some dirt under our nails. Mother’s Day can be complex and hard for many and there are a lot of parents who don’t fit into a particular day, but for us it’s really always been the way to mark the day we can put the tomatoes in the ground - especially since these boys have been brunching like pros since birth - we don’t need a special day for that!

The Senate has sent a few more bills over under their extended deadline, which has also led to a corresponding extension in the House since last week was originally supposed to be the deadline to get Senate bills out of House Committees. I think there may still be another bill or two coming over, but here’s what we’ve got to work on so far:

• SB3213 is the companion bill to HB5046 that intends to address at least some of the challenges faced by chronic pain patients and others who depend on medications that face shortages by easing the process for transferring prescriptions between pharmacies and making it easier to determine whether a particular drug is in stock. We’re still negotiating final language that will reflect the timeline for a new electronic system that has been long delayed in rolling out that has been a big part of the challenge facing patients and pharmacies.

• SB3506 is the result of ongoing work by the Office of the Attorney General’s SASETA (Sexual Assault Survivor Emergency Treatment Act) Working Group. This ongoing work to ensure that survivors are afforded the best possible care in the Emergency Room is something that the Senate Sponsor Julie Morrison and I share a dedication to, and this year’s bill reflects the last year of discussions. You may recall SB1602 that we passed last year that tackled the challenges of patients being forced to travel unreasonable distances to find an appropriately staffed hospital emergency room. This year’s bill includes a step towards another tool that may help to address the shortage of specially trained medical professionals (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners or SANEs) and will allow limited use of telehealth to give nurses who have completed their initial training to be supervised by a SANE while gaining the requisite clinical hours needed for final certification. 

• SB3798 is another CESSA trailer bill addressing various implementation needs identified by various stakeholders in the ongoing implementation process that includes advocates, law enforcement, 911 operators, and state agency leaders.

• HB3711 from last year is in response to the Chicago Tribune investigation that identified that hundreds of patients had sought help from hospitals in the state after being sexually abused by physicians. The bill is in the final negotiations that will result in a more robust reporting and investigative process, much more significant fines and accountability measures, and establishes a new fund to ensure that fines collected under the act are used to directly improve the experiences of survivors. The final language will be amended onto the bill by Senator Morrison and then the bill will come back to the House for concurrence by the end of the month.

I’m excited to host a Home Stretch Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, May 20th at 6pm via Zoom. We haven’t tried this before, so hopefully it will work. We’ll be joined briefly by my colleagues Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, who is a leader in the bicameral effort to identify sustainable progressive revenue solutions and Leader Will Guzzardi, who serves on Speaker Welch’s budget team to learn about where we stand in the budget process and what to expect in the final weeks of session. I’m looking forward to answering your questions and sharing a little insight as we approach the finish line for the spring session.

Schedules this time of year tend to be more aspirational than accurate, so I was sad to miss getting to see some students who were visiting the Capitol from Swift School. By the time I got out of committee, they’d already moved on to the Lincoln Library and Museum, but they sent me a photo they took on the steps of the Capitol. Next week, I’m hoping to break that streak so I can visit with the students from Peirce School on their trip! I don’t recall trips to our state Capitol being a thing when I was in school, but then again Tallahassee is pretty far from everything in Florida (about 6 hours from where I grew up) so maybe it just didn’t work for school trips. What about you? Did you have a traditional school trip to the Capitol and where are you from?

Alderwoman Hadden and our Chief of Staff Taylor speak at the 49th Ward Town Hall this past Thursday at Jordan Elementary School.

Need to Know Info

Join our office on Wednesday May 20th from 6:00pm-7:30pm for a virtual town hall. We will be giving updates on Kelly's bills, the budget, and the end of session, with guest speakers State Representative Lindsey LaPointe and State Representative Will Guzzardi. We would also like to hear from constituents, let us know what topics you want to hear about when you register, and take the opportunity to ask our office a question! You can scan the QR code above or follow this link to register for our town hall. Zoom links will be sent out the day of the event. 

With Summer right around the corner now is a great time to start thinking about signing up to use our Museum Pass! Summer is always an exciting time to visit any of our local Chicago museums and the museum pass is good for up to 4 visitors to get free general admission. You must be a constituent to reserve the pass.

You can sign up here to reserve the museum pass!

The Pokémon Fossil Museum Exhibition will make its North American debut at the Field Museum on May 22, 2026! This exhibition is not included in general admission and requires a separate ticket. 

Learn more about the exhibit and purchase tickets here.

Join the 48th Ward office for their annual older adults resource fair! This year, 48th Ward Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth is partnering with the Chicago City Clerk's office to provide City Key services at the event! Learn more about the City Key here, then come by the armory to pick up yours and access healthcare, legal aide, technology assistance, social services, educational workshops, and more! 

Friday, May 15 from 11am-2pm

Broadway Armory (5917 N Broadway)

Our office will also be tabling and we hope to see you there!

The Greater Chicago Food Depository, in partnership with YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, has launched a Temporary Cash Assistance for Groceries Program to support individuals who have experienced a reduction or loss of SNAP benefits.

This program provides:

Up to $150 per individual / $300 per household per month

Support for 3 months (May, June, July)

Funds that can be used anywhere Visa is accepted

Residents may qualify if they:

Experienced a reduction or loss of SNAP benefits

Are ages 55–64 OR have a child ages 14–18

Live in Chicago or Cook County

Have an email address to complete the application

Application period: April 29 – May 15

Apply Here

The Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth invites you to attend a virtual informational session on Social Security. Representatives from the Social Security Administration will join virtually to present on topics including:

• Social Security retirement
• Social Security disability
• Online accounts
• And more!

Register here to participate in the webinar.

Should you have any questions or need accommodations, please email events@duckworth.senate.gov.

Poetry Magazine would love to consider your poems for a special issue honoring one of the great literary cities: Chicago. This open call is for poets born and/or raised in the city and writers who have lived in Chicago for around seven years at some point in their lives. Those seven years don’t need to be continuous.

They are looking for poems that engage with Chicago’s history, its architecture and art, the geography, the parks and landmarks, other Chicagoans, the restaurant at the end of your street—anything about the 77 neighborhoods, or those outposts serviced by the CTA, that makes Chicago the city of Big Shoulders. They welcome poems in a variety of forms, including lineated poems, prose poems, video poems, and visual poems.

The issue is planned for 2027 in honor of Chicago’s 190th birthday and Poetry’s 115th year of publication in the city. The deadline to submit is May 15, 2026, and notifications will be sent in fall 2026.

For more information and instructions on how to apply, click here.

The Network established the Survivor Fund to address critical gaps in the safety net for survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking.

Eligibility requirements, application processes, and amount of funding available vary depending on the current funder(s) and grants. 

The basic eligibility to receive funding is that you are a victim/survivor of domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking and/or human trafficking and you have not received funding from The Network in the last 12 months. To learn more about their Survivor Fund, see https://the-network.org/survivor-fund/.  

Have you ever thought about becoming a teacher but felt like it was out of reach? No matter your starting point, becoming a teacher is possible! Whether you're switching careers, returning to school, or exploring your options, teaching offers a fulfilling path with great benefits.

In this video, meet Destiny, Flavio, and Adekoyejo-three individuals who took the leap and followed their hearts. Their journeys weren’t traditional, but with perseverance and support, they are now either on the path to becoming licensed teachers or have recently stepped into the classroom as licensed teachers. 

Your journey can begin today! If you've ever dreamed of teaching in a classroom and making a difference, now is the time to take that step. Grow Your Own Teachers Illinois is a non-profit organization that recruits and supports racially diverse and community-connected individuals to become licensed teachers.

We See the Teacher in You. Become one!

Visit BeTheTeacher.org to learn more.

The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. The CityArts Program aims to support a diverse group of arts and culture nonprofits reflective of the city of Chicago and its cultural landscape through flexible and strategic grant funding. Chicago arts and culture nonprofits of all sizes and artistic disciplines can apply for CityArts grants.

In 2026, the CityArts Program will offer two types of grants:

• General Operating Grants for Arts & Culture Organizations
• Project Grants for Arts & Culture Organizations

You can learn more and apply here.

The deadline for homeowners to apply for property tax exemptions is Friday, May 15. Exemptions are property tax savings that contribute to lowering a property owner’s tax bill.

Note that the Homeowner, Senior, and Persons with Disabilities exemptions are automatically renewed. However, homeowners must reapply annually for the Veterans with Disabilities, in some cases, and the “Senior Freeze” exemptions. The Assessor’s Office mailed seniors and disabled veterans who need to reapply application booklets. These must be turned in by May 15.

Applications can be downloaded at www.cookcountyassessor.il.gov/exemptions, where forms are available in Spanish, Polish, and simplified Chinese. Homeowners can also access the online application at www.cookcountyassessor.il.gov/exemptions. 

The Queer Future project will be asking participants at North Side Queer Pride

2026 to imagine, write, draw, print-make, and tell stories through

interviews about visions of the future as we imagine it. Using various

mediums for art-making, community members will be asked to respond to

the question: "What is the queerest possible future you can image?" Fest

goers that participate will get to contribute to a larger collaborative zine,

as well as assemble smaller take-home art pieces during the festival.

Interested contributors can email ghostmelonart@proton.me

North Side Queer Pride is also looking for volunteers to help throughout the weekend! If you are interested in volunteering for the North Side's newest Pride event you can use the QR code above or follow this link!

Neighborhood Shoutout

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  

This year you can find members of our staff tabling at a few of the farmers markets in the district! We will be tabling with State resources and helping folks register to vote at the opening of the Andersonville Farmers Market! Stop by and say hello!

District Events

The Sounds Good Choir enhances the well-being of older adults through the joy of singing in a fun, welcoming community. Join them on Monday May 11th at 7:30pm or on Tuesday May 12th at 2:00pm at the Admiral by the Lake for their Spring Choral Concert!

You can learn more information about the concert or about joining the choir itself here.

Out of the Closets and Onto the Screens: A History of Queer Cinema from the Coded to Explicit is a new educational film screening series put together by Eric Krull and James Conley in partnership with Gerber/Hart Library & Archives.

This series will chronicle some exciting points in the history of queerness in film, engaging with story telling that implies queerness, that supports or feeds queer culture, or that explicitly tackles queer narrative. This series will look across chronology, from the past and Hayes Code era, through to modern day films by out queer directors and/or featuring queer actors. The goal is to share and educate a community who may not have been exposed to some of these films, talk a little about the history around the film and it’s place in a “queer canon” of sorts, and to engage with the audience to discuss the films.

The inaugural film, All About Eve, is a classic 1950's masterpiece featuring an all-time great performance by star Bette Davis! After the film stay for an audience Q&A/discussion with the hosts and networking opportunity with your fellow attendees! Based on attendance and audience feedback this may become a regular series!

Doors are at 6pm, the event will start promptly at 6:30. The runtime is 2 hours and 18 minutes. Q&A is expected to last around 20-30 minutes followed by some light networking, light refreshments will be served.

Thursday, May 14th,  6 PM - 10 PM

Gerber/Hart Library & Archives

6500 North Clark Street

You can register to attend here.

In honor of National Speech Language Hearing Month, Northwestern University will be hosting a Healthy Hearing event on May 15. If you are experiencing bothersome ringing in your ears or you have been having difficulty understanding speech in groups or crowded places this would be a great resource for you!

RSVP today for free hearing screenings, hearing device demonstrations, and more. Call 847-491-3165 to RSVP today.

Chicago’s African & Caribbean diaspora is taking the streets of Rogers Park! The 3rd Annual Howard Street Carnaval, featuring a vibrant parade and festival honoring traditions from across the African and Caribbean diaspora, will be taking place on Saturday, May 16, at Willye B. White Park (1610 W Howard). Interested in learning more? Visit HowardStreetCarnaval.com.

The Jarvis Square Artisan Market returns May 16th, bringing even more creativity, connection and community spirit to the heart of the neighborhood.

Stroll through a thoughtfully curated mix of local artisans, makers and small businesses showcasing everything from handcrafted goods and original art to one-of-a-kind gifts and delicious gourmet treats. Come for the shopping, stay for the community.

Dig into the 2026 Annual Plant Sale and explore a lush lineup of top-quality greenery and garden essentials. Browse a vibrant selection of ferns, herbs, pollinator-friendly plants, annuals, perennials and houseplants, along with rich soils, easy-to-use grow kits and all the little plant notions that make your garden thrive.

Charmers Cafe

1500 W Jarvis Ave

May 16th, 10:00am

Saturday May 16th Bliss Joy Bull Upcycled Goods + Clothing Repair is hosting Sharpening by Dave for a scissor and knife sharpening pop-up. 

1210 W Granville Ave, West Storefront

May 16, 1-4pm

They will also be open for custom mending repair drop-offs and shopping their mending and sewing supplies. 

If you have scissor/knife sharpening questions, you can text Dave directly at: 847-354-2547.

Friends of the Edgewater Library is proud to support a community partner, Alliance for the Great Lakes, in a beach clean-up at Foster Beach on Sunday, May 17, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

The Great Lakes are a source of drinking water for around 40 million people. What washes up on the beach doesn’t just stay there — it harms the marine life and wildlife that depend on these habitats.

All are invited to join the clean-up festivities at Foster Beach. A registration table will be at Lakeside Café Concession & Lakefront Trail. Parking is available; entrance on Foster Avenue. 

You can also register early here.

Calling all Rogers Park Township property owners! Free one-on-one property tax appeal help will be available at the 50th Ward Office on Tuesday, May 19 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Rogers Park Township property owners are invited to meet with analysts and receive help filing tax appeals. Due to high demand, pre-registration will be required.

You can use the link here to register.

Now is your chance to say it like it is, and just get it off your chest! Join your host Sid Kingston with special guest Winter Diorr for this month's B*tch & Wine at Taste Wine and Food, 1506 W Jarvis at 7:00pm. This month's theme is Mother, for anyone who's been one, had one, lost one, or redefined on.

You can sign up to B*tch & Wine here.

Theatre

A world premiere rock musical based on Norse mythology at the Lifeline Theater!

Music and Lyrics by George Howe

Book by ensemble member Christina Calvit

Developed with and directed by ensemble member Heather Currie

Welcome to the greatest rock ‘n’ roll show not on Earth! LOKI arrives at Asgard, bringing chaos, comedy, and three monstrous (maybe) children. LOKI tangles with Odin, Thor, and the mysterious Freya; each with their own agenda; their own secrets—but all paths lead to one eternal question: In an us vs. them world, can we envision a new mythology?

Content Advisory: This production contains simulated violence, explicit language, and mature themes. Recommended for audiences ages 13+.

LOKI runs from April 24 – June 14, 2026 at the Lifeline Theater with the following pricing options:

$55 Opening: May 3 at 2:30pm (Ticket includes access to the Opening Reception with complimentary drinks & light bites)

$45 Regular Run: May 8 – June 14 (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.

Written by Caridad Svich

Directed by Kamille Dawkins

In this play with broken songs, Shakespeare’s Ophelia rises out of the water dreaming of reclaiming her life. She finds herself in a neo-Elizabethan Appalachian setting where Gertrude runs a brothel, Hamlet is a Rude Boy and nothing is what it seems. In this mirrored world of word-scraps and cold sex, Ophelia cuts a new path for herself. 

The Factory Theater 

1623 W. Howard St. 

Chicago, IL 60626

Performances

April 10-May 24, 2026

To learn more and purchase tickets, click here.

Octet

by Dave Malloy

directed by Keira Fromm

music directed by Nick Sula

choreography by Laura Savage

Raven Theatre

6157 N Clark St

April 30 – June 7

In an anonymous meeting room, a group of people —always eight—gather to sing. Best known for the Broadway hit NATASHA, PIERRE, & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, Dave Malloy’s OCTET uses chamber-inspired a cappella music to explore the total impact of life online. Hailed by the New York Times as “the most original and topical musical of the year” for its 2019 Off-Broadway premiere, this inventive and acutely relevant piece reflects the perils of the digital age.

You can learn more and purchase tickets here.

Life has been difficult for Jessie and her hope for the future has faded. Spiraling between a failed marriage and caretaker fatigue due to her criminal son and aging mother, Jessie is determined to take control of her life in the only way left to her. When society and technology isolate Jessie, when the world turns to chaos around her, and a promised future fades away: Jessie digs up her father’s old pistol with the intention to end her life. Marsha Norman’s Pulitzer Prize winning play launches us through a mother and daughter’s darkest night together.

Red Twist Theatre

1044 W Bryn Mawr Ave

Chicago, IL 60660

You can purchase tickets here.

Youth

Refugee Education & Adventure Challenge (REACH) is pleased to open up registration for their 2026 Summer Adventure Camp. Eligible youth are refugee and asylum-seeking youth (boys and girls) between the ages of 10 and 18, who primarily live in Chicago's north side neighborhoods (Rogers Park, West Ridge, Albany Park, Edgewater) or nearby suburbs.

Summer Adventure Day Camp Sessions:  REACH will offer four weekly day camp sessions (Mon-Thurs, 10 am - 4 pm) during which participants will engage in adventure sports and place-based education activities such as archery, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, nature hikes, fishing, forest restoration, and river clean-ups. [REACH will coordinate bus or van transportation based on enrollees' residential neighborhoods. However, some families may need coordinate their own transport to the pick-up location.]

Session One: June 29 - July 2

Session Two: July 6 - July 9

Session Three: August 3 - August 6

Session Four: August 10 - August 13

Summer Adventure Overnight Camping Trips:  REACH will offer three overnight (1 night / 2-days) tent camping trips (one girls only, one boys only, one co-ed), including team building activities (scavenger hunts, improv skits), nature education (macroinvertebrate investigations, outdoor cooking, habitat assessments), adventure sports (kayaking, climbing, hiking), and leadership development (problem solving, cooperative learning). [REACH will transport all participating youth via van or charter bus rentals.]

Girls' Only Camping Trip: Sat-Sun, July 11-12, 2026

Boys' Only Camping Trip: Sun-Mon, July 12-13, 2026

Co-Ed Camping Trip: Sat-Sun, August 15-16, 2026

Family Picnic & Award Ceremony: This is an end-of-summer celebration for all participating youth and their family members. 

Family Picnic: Saturday, August 22, 12-3 PM

You can fill out the preliminary registration form here - REACH Summer 2026 Pre-Registration Form, and a home visit will be scheduled with each family to complete the registration interview process. 

Remember: all camps are FREE, but registration will be limited to 30 youth per weekly session. Registration closes on June 5, 2026, or when camps reach capacity. 

Specific questions about summer camp registration can be directed to Shana Wills at swills@reachinchicago.org or Ellie Hease at ehease@reachinchicago.org.  

Families, get ready for an unforgettable summer! Pottawattomie Park is now enrolling for their summer camps. Join them for 6 weeks of exciting activities, meeting new friends, and creating lasting memories! For more information, head to this link.

The Office of the Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton is excited to announce the launch of the “Illinois to America: Stories that Shape Us” student essay contest for America’s 250th Anniversary. This contest is open to students in 6th-12th grade.  

Winners will have their essays displayed in the Lt. Governor’s Chicago and Springfield offices and highlighted at the Lt. Governor’s tent at the state fair. In addition, they will receive a letter, certificate, and Challenge Coin from the Lieutenant Governor. There may also be some special surprises!  

The contest is open from April 13th through 11:59pm CST on May 31st. Winners will be announced on July 4th. To learn more about the guidelines and submission process, visit the contest website.

If you have any questions, please reach out to mahi.patel@illinois.gov or ltgov.policy@illinois.gov.  

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