Kelly's Update

It has been great being back home, and I’m pretty much fully unpacked and back in business, even if I’m still making up for lost sleep, healthy food, and puppy/cat cuddles. Candace’s birthday falls right after adjournment every year and they often get pretty shortchanged in the celebration department so I was determined that this year would be different. We had fun celebrating a short notice party that my brother made it in from Florida to join us. 

Sunday morning was just about my favorite day in the neighborhood: opening day of the Glenwood Sunday Market! It’s a little bit like the first day of school getting to reconnect with friends, neighbors, and favorite vendors after the long winter off, but it’s also a celebration of the start of summer, so instead of checking out each other’s new lunchboxes and backpacks, we’re comparing market bags and ingenious methods of transporting our bounty. (Shout out to Dick Gregory and his amazing wheelie bag/cart!) After cutting the ribbon, we got some delicious Lavender Bee coffee and perused our options. Some strawberries from Michigan, pastries from Bennison’s Bakery, and a few herb plants (parsley, dill, fennel, and holy basil) made it home with us. I’ve been hunting for holy basil for a bit as my go to Thai dish involves it and my friend and I are determined to recreate it, so I’m excited to see how it grows. The market is open every Sunday from 9am to 2pm. I like getting there early to get a Bennison’s fix before they run out of the best pastries. What’s your favorite vendor at the market and what are you excited to see come into season?

This week brought a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking (literally) with pundits and others suggesting that the General Assembly “failed” by not passing legislation to facilitate the Bears’ desires for a new stadium. As I’ve often said, whether we’re talking about a sports stadium or tax incentives for major corporations threatening to leave if we don’t give them money, I am not in favor of subsidizing profitable corporations or indulging threats to leave the state. That goes double in a budget year like this one where we are cutting access to services while trying to manage massive cuts in federal spending on programs. The Bears are free to build whatever they want, as long as they pay for it. 

This is more than just a feeling. My belief that corporate tax breaks, subsidies, and incentives are bad policy is based on broad research that shows time and again that while there are circumstances where subsidies and incentives can be beneficial under certain circumstances, they’re limited and involve significant accountability measures to ensure that promises of job creation are specific to good paying, long lasting jobs that return benefits to the local economy. The national organization Good Jobs First has done extensive research into the ways economic development incentives work and don’t work for years and is a resource I turn to whether we’re talking about sports stadiums, data centers, or any other corporate subsidy. 

I am also lucky to have a resource closer to home: my youngest son is a Sport Management major who has shared some of what he’s learned in his studies. In a nutshell, stadium deals are rarely deals for anyone other than the team owners. Most jobs created under such deals are seasonal, part time, and relatively low paying while the major earners including the players and owners rarely are residents of the area who participate significantly in the local economy. A 1998 study reviewing Cleveland’s early 1990s development of both a football and baseball stadium found that the project resulted in the creation of 1,300 new jobs at a public cost of $200,000 a job. A 1997 study found that only one-fourth of cities with a pro sports team showed “small positive effects on income and employment.” Another study found that if Chicago’s pro sports teams were to disappear, the economic impact would be a fraction of 1 percent. Multiple studies have also shown that entertainment dollars are more finite than many other budget items. Any money spent on sports tickets is likely money not being spent on other, more local entertainment options. Happy to provide citations for anyone who wants to dive into the studies…or just read the summaries that Good Jobs First has provided on their site.

We are still working through budget analyses and will have a special walk through of the good, the bad, and the ugly of this budget soon. One big item I was disappointed about was our lack of action on data centers. We had two significant opportunities: continuing the pause on tax incentives for new data center development and the POWER Act (HB5513/SB4016) requiring developers to finance their own grid infrastructure and source at least 80% of their power, adhere to strict water efficiency standards including permitting and reporting on usage, as well as community engagement requirements including paying into a Public Benefits and Affordability Fund to help address utility cost impacts on residents.

My disappointment was eased when Governor Pritzker announced executive action to continue the pause on tax break application processing even though we didn’t include that in the budget while calling on the legislature to take action on the POWER Act in Veto Session. A few days before we adjourned, we met in caucus to discuss what was expected to go into the budget and learned that the tax credit pause was not being extended in the language being considered. I shared that I felt that there were a lot of our members who would have trouble explaining that the issue we’d been hearing so much from our constituents about was not addressed in the session, but that was not enough to overcome the intense pressure to keep building centers due to the construction jobs associated with them regardless of the negative impacts on communities once the construction is complete.

Also, hey! Happy Pride Month, everyone! Being in Springfield on June 1st makes it tough to get back for some of the early Pride events, so I’m looking forward to joining friends and colleagues at Cook County’s Pride Month Reception on Tuesday to officially kick off Pride. For the first time in a long time, I’m also going to miss Midsommarfest due to a schedule conflict, but stop by and visit with the team while they’re tabling this weekend!

Need to Know Info

Wishing a warm District 14 welcome to our new summer intern, Serina! Serina Farah is a rising senior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Political Science with minors in Legal Studies and Business. She is involved in undergraduate research analyzing international policy and human rights issues, and serves in leadership roles as Secretary of Membership for Phi Alpha Delta and Director of Membership for the Pre-Law Honors Society. Serina is passionate about law, advocacy, and public service, and she has gained meaningful experience through her previous internship at a law firm. She is excited to work with and meet as many wonderful people as possible in the 14th District!

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.

The University of Illinois Extension, in partnership with Illinois Commission to End Hunger, is hosting a series of SNAP Listening Sessions across Illinois and online to better understand how recent federal SNAP changes are impacting community members and the organizations that support them.

The sessions are part of a statewide effort to gather feedback, hear directly from communities, and better understand how SNAP changes are affecting Illinoisans. There are currently no planned in-person meetings in the city of Chicago, but please see below for a list of virtual meetings and how to register.

Virtual-English- Register Here.

Tuesday, June 9 | 6:00 PM

Tuesday, June 16 | 12:00 PM

Wednesday, June 24 | 10:00 AM

Virtual-Spanish: Register Here

Tuesday, June 9 | 6:00 PM

Tuesday, June 16 | 12:00 PM

Wednesday, June 24 | 10:00 AM

Virtual-Partner Sessions for Service Providers: Register Here.

Tuesday, June 9 | 10:00 AM

Thursday, June 18 | 3:30 PM

Wednesday, June 24 | 6:30 PM

Center On Halsted's Q+ Council is organizing a Teen Pride Space at Pride Fest on Saturday, June 20th and Sunday, June 21st from 11am-5pm each day at the corner of Broadway and Waveland. Pride Fest is a large street event celebrating all things queer and the Teen Pride Space aims to include young people in this festival while having a safe space specifically for teens! Our office will also have a table with a fun game of Illinois trivia-be sure to come see us!

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 July 1st!

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

The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services will be hosting a Volunteer & Employment Resource Fair Tuesday, June 9th from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. There will be volunteer and employment opportunities available as well as information, resources, and giveaways from various vendors! Box lunches ($2.00 suggested donation) will be provided and there will be a special BINGO around 1:00 p.m!

NE Levy Senior Center

2019 W Lawrence Ave

Tuesday, June 9

9:30am-1:30pm

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 imagine?" 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!

The website is up and running for North Side Queer Pride! Click on the image above to be taken there.

Neighborhood Shoutout

From a press release by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development:

A café and event space is the winning proposal to repurpose a former Rogers Park firehouse, Department of Planning and Development (DPD) Commissioner Ciere Boatright announced today.

The $3 million project by developer Ryan Cummings will reuse the 111-year-old, City-owned structure at 1721-23 W. Greenleaf Ave. as a 2,000-square-foot coffee house with more than 4,000 square feet of event space and offices on the second level. The proposed purchase price is the building’s market value of $350,050.

“This thoughtful proposal will preserve a beautiful building with new uses that reinforce its role as a community anchor while complementing pedestrian-oriented retail activity on nearby Clark Street,” Boatright said.

The project was one of five responses to an October 2025 DPD Request for Proposals (RFP) that prioritized the 6,323-square-foot structure’s adaptive re-use. Submissions were evaluated based on the proposed concept as well as the development team’s financial capacity, relevant experience and overall project feasibility, among other factors. 

The project team also includes Michael Salvatore of Chicago-based Heritage Hospitality Group.

The former Engine Co. #102 firehouse served Rogers Park from 1915 to 2009, when operations were relocated to a new facility on north Clark Street. The building has been unoccupied ever since.

District Events

The Edgewater walking tours are back, and now is the time to sign up by going to www.EdgewaterHistory.org. Tour guides-who will have microphones-will lead you through the tour and share their researched brochure. The fee for each tour is $15, which supports the Edgewater Historical Society Museum.

You can find the schedule of walking tours of the Edgewater neighborhood on their website here. Schedule is subject to change.

Join the Chicago Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Indo-American Center for a virtual Train the Trainer workshop on Emergency Family Planning! This training is designed to empower community organizations and advocates to help immigrant families develop emergency care plans for their children in case of detention or deportation.

Wednesday, June 10th at 12pm: English

Wednesday, June 17th at 12pm: Spanish

Register here for this online event.

Each June the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce invites the community to gather along Clark Street as the neighborhood comes alive in celebration. Rooted in the Swedish tradition of welcoming the longest day of the year, Midsommarfest honors the makers of music, the makers of craft, and the makers of community.

This year, Midsommarfest celebrates 60 years of bringing people together in Andersonville. For six decades, the festival has reflected the neighborhood’s welcoming spirit and longstanding commitment to inclusivity, creativity, and connection. It is a place where the LGBTQIA2S+ community is celebrated, where everyone is invited to show up as they are, and where joy is shared together.

Beyond being a beloved summer tradition, Midsommarfest also serves as an important fundraising event. Revenue generated supports the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce’s year-round programming and provides financial support to more than a dozen local nonprofits annually.

Come wander, listen, eat, dance, and stay awhile. Find fun in the freedom of being yourself. Why raise the roof when you can raise the maypole?

The Jarvis Square Artisan Market will return to Jarvis Square (Greenview and Jarvis) for their second market of the season!

The market brings local arts and craft vendors to the Jarvis Square Alfresco, where they can showcase and sell their creations. The market also has live music and food for patrons to enjoy. Join the fun between 10am-2pm at the Jarvis Square Alfresco.

The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) was formed in 1960 to bring about social and economic justice by educating college students and urban community members in non-violent political activism. When opposition to the Vietnam War became heated, major splits over goals and the use of violent tactics emerged in the organization. At a national SDS convention in Chicago in 1969, a faction later known as the Weather Underground took over the leadership of SDS and shut it down. Pick from several book titles available for the discussion of these two groups. 

Books will be available at the first floor circulation desk. This program is in partnership with the Edgewater Historical Society.

The Friends of the Rogers Park Library helps bring additional resources to the local library, continuing to make it a stronger neighborhood learning center. Last year, they helped get more books, more equipment, and additional instructors who hosted some amazing classes for all ages.

They are hosting their Summer Book Sale on June 13, 2026, from 10 am to 4 pm to raise funds to continue their work on making the Rogers Park Library a space for everyone. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the book sale, there is a sign-up sheet at the information desk.

Buy gently used books at these prices:

• Hard Cover for $1
• Large Paperback Book for $.50
• Pocket-Size Paperback Book for $0.25
• Any Children’s Book for $0.10
• Any DVD for $0.25 or a CD for $0.10

OR just fill a bag for $3 or a box for $6 with books!

Berger Park is offering a slew of dance, yoga, and fitness classes this summer! Offered by Alight Movement, these 8-10 week courses begin on June 15th, 2026. Scan the QR code above for more information!

Edgewater Chamber Happy Hour Networking is a great way to meet the local business community. There is no formal program or forced networking, just a casual hangout over drinks. This is a great way to meet the Edgewater Chamber and board, local business owners, managers & employees, or meet other entrepreneurs or freelancers. Everybody is invited. Don't forget to bring business cards! 

$10 for Edgewater Chamber Members (*with advance RSVP)

$25 for Non-Members

*members must be logged in to register for discount

RSVP here.

Wednesday, June 17

5pm to 7pm

Tesfa Ethiopian Restaurant

5352 N. Broadway

Another Night @ BET returns Thursday, June 18th at 6:30pm for their “Juneteenth Prelude”: Celebrating Freedom and Black Expression. Join Black Ensemble Theatre for an evening of community and connection - featuring local black businesses and entertainment from BE alum and other notable Chicago-based talent. 

Thursday June 18th at 6:30pm

Black Ensemble Theatre

4450 N Clark St

Tickets can be purchased here.

Join ONE Northside for their 6th annual Juneteenth celebration! Everyone is welcome to this fun celebration in the park with games, music, activities for kids, and a cookout with food and drinks. (All items and food are first come, first served.) Bring your own blankets or chairs and enjoy the summertime vibes with the ONE Northside Violence Prevention team!

Friday, June 19

1:00pm-7:00pm

Pottawattomie Park

7340 N Rogers Ave

Arts on Devon is seeking performers who reflect the creativity, culture and energy of the Devon Avenue community. From music and dance to spoken word, cultural performances and interactive arts experiences! Artists and groups of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

This annual celebration brings neighbors and visitors together for an evening filled with live performances, community connection and cultural expression in the heart of West Ridge.

Event Date: Sunday, August 30th, 3:00-8:00PM

Event Location: Republic Bank Parking Lot (2720 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659)

Entry Due Date: Noon, June 23rd, 2026

You can apply 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+.

Now running through June 27th!

Get tickets here.

Octet

by Dave Malloy

directed by Keira Fromm

music directed by Nick Sula

choreography by Laura Savage

Raven Theatre

6157 N Clark St

NOW EXTENDED TO JUNE 28th

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.

The classic Thornton Wilder piece, The Matchmaker, has been reimagined by Theatre Above the Law in alignment of their mission to challenge the norm of theatre by presenting classic stories in relatable ways. The play had been tapered down to a quick-witted 90 minutes in 4 scenes.

Wealthy merchant Horace Vandergelder enlists the services of Dolly Levi to find him a suitable wife. What ensues is a series of comical mishaps in the name of adventure!

Directed by Tony Lawry and Stage Managed by Reagan Stevenson.

Cast includes: Justine Serino, Caleb Ryan Jones, Ross Compton, Stephanie Stockstill Izzy Shafer, Teddy Nielsen, Mery Drilling Coren and Elijah Warfield.

May 29-June 28

1439 W. Jarvis

tickets range from $15-$25

tickets available at theatreatl.org

Use the special Ward 49 code OhHorns! for $10 off the regular $25 ticket price, subject to availability, online only

Directed by Molly Smith, Saturn Returns tells the universally human story of getting older through tap dance and live music with new choreography by Smith and the dancers of Chicago Tap Theatre. Based on the Saturn return process in astrology, this show, the ultimate in CTT’s ’25-’26 season, is a heartwarming snapshot of our individual pasts, presents, and futures. Saturn Returns will show at The Edge Theatre (5451 N Broadway) on Thursday, June 11th, at 7 pm, Friday, June 12th, at 7 pm, Saturday, June 13th, at 5 pm, and Sunday, June 14th, at 2 pm.

Tickets can be purchased here.

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.

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 7th at 8:45 a.m. 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

Camp Courage 2026 is a free, three-day summer program designed to introduce Chicago youth ages 13 to 18 to firefighting and EMS careers through hands-on training, mentorship, leadership development, teamwork, fire safety, CPR exposure, fitness activities, and engagement with Chicago Fire Department members. Camp Courage will run from June 15 through July 29, 2026, at locations across the city. Learn more and apply online. 

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.

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