Before we get to this week’s Springfield update, I first want to take a moment to acknowledge the world events of the week and express my support for the people of Ukraine. Russia’s invasion of a democratic ally can not be ignored or downplayed. Seeing videos of families seeking shelter and parents comforting terrified children this week was heartbreaking. Millions of families now have to wonder what their future will be. This naked act of aggression shows just how fragile the independence of so many countries is. I stand with Ukraine while I continue to work to support our democracy and protect our rights. To help support Ukraine click here.
At the state level, we were back in Springfield this week. General Assembly members are in the midst of a legislative sprint as we work to get bills filed, heard, and passed by April 8th. The truncated and compressed schedule has made the process more challenging, but our team is up for the challenge. The next goal is to meet the deadline next Friday to pass House bills over to the Senate. My chief of staff, Torrence Gardner has been with me in Springfield these last few weeks and can attest it has been a busy few weeks already. As if the schedule isn’t challenging enough, we faced yet another snowstorm impacting travel this week. Snow really seems to love to fall on Thursdays and Fridays lately. Please be safe and careful on the roads.
As we approach our upcoming deadlines in a shortened session we have those who still seek to score either political points or just simply wish to not follow agreed-upon rules. On Tuesday, the leaders of both the Democratic & Republican caucuses called for civility due to the prior week’s shenanigans that included nine members of the House Republican caucus being ejected from the chamber for refusing to comply with the House rules. However, three Republican caucus members again decided to not follow the House rules and were ejected again. Members who were ejected were enabled to participate remotely. We have work to do and this behavior is unacceptable. We must find ways to work together otherwise we are of little help to our own communities.
Outside of the drama, my office continues to work to get things done. We were able to get a couple of our remaining bills amended including HB4165 (Water Rescue Equipment Bill) that officially passed out of committee on Thursday and will head to the House floor for a vote. In addition, our bill to extend access to Earned Discretionary Sentence Credit Time to detainees in County Jails advanced out of committee this week and is poised for a floor vote next week as well. Meanwhile, we’re still negotiating final language for our bills expanding access to PEP and PrEP and protecting survivors of gender based violence. Check below for some pictures of this week’s floor action and our team getting things done while wearing cool socks!
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One very important bill that I am working on that recently made the news is HB4847. I have worked on this bill with the amazing advocates of Women's Justice Institute. Many survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking are in our prisons for having committed crimes while being coerced or under duress. We have had a law in place since 2015 that allows survivors to seek a resentencing hearing when evidence of their abuse was not given consideration in their original trial, but questions about ambiguity in the language raised by judges have resulted in only 4 people getting relief under the law, so our bill seeks to address questions raised by judges over the years. The new version would allow victims a chance at a shorter sentence based both of their experience as survivors as well as evidence of their recovery from the trauma that led to their incarceration. This in no way changes that people can still be arrested, can still be charged, and held accountable for criminal acts. Unlike other states, it does not change mandatory minimums for survivors or allow for them to have their conviction vacated. What it does is allow for gender-based violence to be used as a mitigating factor in sentencing and resentencing.
We are scheduled to return to Springfield next week for session Tuesday-Friday to continue to advance bills on the floor while we also begin to see bills passed over to our chamber from the Senate.
If you’re interested in following our work, the committee schedule, meetings, and bill assignments are posted here. |
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Our Annual Feminine Hygiene Drive Starts Monday! |
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Join the Campaign to Name The Pollard Family Park at 1732 West Lunt |
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According to the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society, John and Amanda Pollard brought their small but growing family to the Village of Rogers Park in the 1880s, becoming the first African-American residents of the community. John opened a successful barbershop in the center of the village business district, and the family lived at 1928 West Lunt for more than 60 years. There, they raised eight children who went on to distinguished careers and a host of civic accomplishments in sports, the arts, the medical profession, and other fields.
My office has sent recently a letter of support to the Chicago Park District as I believe this name change is long overdue.
Sign a petition to support the Pollard Family name change here. |
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Biden to nominate Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court |
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With the recent retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer, President Biden nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the Supreme Court.
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Mask Mandate to End for Most Public Areas This Monday, February 28th |
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Governor Pritzker has announced that he will lift the indoor mask mandate for most public areas by this Monday, February 28th. Governor Pritzker has announced plans to keep face coverings on in schools for the time being.
Lifting the mask mandate means that Illinois residents can go barefaced in grocery stores, restaurants, theaters, and most other places. Illinois residents, however, will still have to wear masks in congregate facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, and places where large areas of vulnerable residents reside as well as in places where federal masking rules remain in effect including mass transit.
In line with the State of Illinois, Chicago will also be lifting its indoor mask mandate in certain public spaces along with the city's vaccine requirement to enter indoor businesses. Masks will continue to be required in health care, public transit, and larger congregate settings to align with CDC guidelines.
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COVID-19 cases continue to rapidly decline in Illinois. COVID-19 patients in hospitals continue to decline. As of Thursday night, the state was averaging 1,183 COVID-19 hospitalized patients as compared to the records set during this surge when we were averaging more than 7,300 hospitalizations. As shown in the graph above from IDPH's website hospitalizations have dropped even further. As of this week, the state's positivity rate has hovered around 2.4%. This is the lowest the positivity rate has been since mid-November.
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To find a vaccine clinic within the City of Chicago click here.
For questions or info regarding COVID-19 testing click here.
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COVID-19 Count as of Friday, February 25th:
Statewide Totals: 3,026,737 confirmed cases, 32,654 deaths and tests performed 54,338,979
If you have questions related to COVID-19 you can contact the
Illinois Department of Public Health:
Hotline: 800-889-3931
Email: dph.sick@illinois.gov
City of Chicago's Department of Public Health:
Hotline: 312-746-4835
Email: coronavirus@chicago.gov
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The Biden Administration Distributes Rapid At-Home COVID Tests |
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Americans are now able to order their tests online at COVIDTests.gov, and tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering. Every household is eligible to order 4 tests.
To ensure equity and access for all Americans, the Administration will also launch a call line to help those unable to access the website to place orders, and work with national and local community-based organizations to support the nation’s hardest-hit and highest-risk communities in requesting tests.
Individuals with private health insurance coverage or covered by a group health plan who purchase an over-the-counter COVID-19 test authorized, cleared, or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be able to have those test costs covered by their plan or insurance. Insurance companies and health plans are required to cover 8 free over-the-counter at-home tests per covered individual per month. That means a family of four, all on the same plan, would be able to get up to 32 of these tests covered by their health plan per month. There is no limit on the number of tests, including at-home tests, that are covered if ordered or administered by a health care provider following an individualized clinical assessment, including for those who may need them due to underlying medical conditions.
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The Illinois Department of Public Health is proud to be partnering with the Rockefeller Foundation to offer free COVID-19 tests to households in identified priority zip codes across the state. Eligibility is based on zip codes with the highest risk of Covid-19, using the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) combined with state data on Covid-19 burden.
The website is live. Constituents living in eligible zip codes can go to www.AccessCovidTests.org to order a free test kit.
- Each household will receive 1 kit with five tests within one to two weeks after ordering.
- No payment information is required — both the tests and shipping are free to eligible residents.
- The program is currently limited to one order per residential address.
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Free Tax Help Through the City of Chicago |
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The City of Chicago is offering free, confidential tax help, partnering with Ladder Up. Volunteer tax preparers who are trained to assist you can help complete and electronically file Federal and Illinois tax returns for 2021 and years prior in some circumstances. They also can help determine if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), and other tax credits.
The tax filing deadline is Monday, April 18. For more information, visit www.taxprepchicago.org or call (312) 588-6900 to schedule an appointment.
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IDES has released this statement in regards to the 1099-G tax forms. For a FAQs sheet from the IDES on all your questions related to the 1099-G form, click here. For an information packet on how to navigate your ILogin account, click here. |
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How To Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment Webinars |
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Reproductive Health Act Discussion With Representative Cassidy |
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Illinois’ Reproductive Health Act
& the War on Women’s Choice:
History, Policy, and Practice
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Sunday, March 6, 2022
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Via Zoom
Co-sponsored by the Chicago Women’s History Center
and the Chicago Public Library’s Women’s History Month Committee
Join the Chicago Women's History Center for a discussion of the Reproductive Health Act passed in Illinois in 2019 which protects safe and legal abortions for women even if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Illinois is one of only six states to pass legislation maintaining access to legal abortion services while other states legislated restrictions. Panelists will discuss what the history of this act is and what its implications are for the future in Illinois.
To register, click here. Registration at least 24 hours before the event is required. You’ll receive an email with a link to the secure Zoom meeting about 24 hours before the meeting.
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Trilogy's New Mobile Crisis Response Service |
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Free Legal Help for Families and Students |
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Loyola's 2021-2022 free legal helpline is now open and taking calls. Stand Up For Each Other (SUFEO) Chicago is made up of a group of law students who provide free legal assistance, all under attorney supervision, to K-12 students facing a multitude of school-related issues.
Any K-12 students and their families who need help understanding their school rights can call the helpline at 773-800-0338. SUFEO Chicago also offers free know-your-rights trainings and education law workshops to students, families, and service providers-both virtually and in-person. You can contact SUFEO's Outreach Coordinators Sarah Bianchi and Brittany Haracz at sufeo-chicago@luc.edu with the subject line "Outreach Inquiry" for more information.
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The Restore, Reinvest, & Renew Grant Program Re-Opened |
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Governor JB Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton recently
announced $45 million in Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) program funding to support community organizations that serve neighborhoods most impacted by economic disinvestment, violence, and the war on drugs. Organizations interested in applying for funding can review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) by clicking here.
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Energy Assistance For Winter Applications Open Until May 31st 2022 |
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The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Citizens Utility Board are reminding residents to apply for $200 million remaining in utility assistance under Gov. JB Pritzker’s Help Illinois Families initiative, an expansion of the Low-Income Household Energy Assistance Program under the American Rescue Plan.
This initiative remains available for all qualifying households with low income, regardless of how they may be affected COVID-19. The last day to apply online with the Request for Services form is April 15. After that date you can still apply through your local administering agency through May 31, 2022.
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LIHWAP Applications Open Until August 31st, 2023 |
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The LIHWAP benefit is a limited, one-time, assistance program designed to help households that are facing the threat of imminent disconnection, have already been disconnected or have past due (arrearage) balances over $250 for their water and wastewater services combined. Customers may apply one time for water and one time for wastewater for the life of the program, which is December 1, 2021 – August 31, 2023.
Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2023 or until funds run out. You can apply online here or call the hotline at 1-(833)-711-0374.
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Emergency Heating Repair Program Open Through April 1 |
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Citizen Class with Chinese Mutual Aid of Chicago |
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2021 Exemptions Auto-Renewal |
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In response to COVID-19, the Cook County Assessor’s Office will continue the automatic renewal of the Senior Freeze, Veterans with Disabilities, and Persons with Disabilities Exemptions; the Homeowner and Senior Exemptions will continue to auto-renew every year.
If a homeowner received any of the aforementioned five exemptions last year (tax year 2020), they do not need to reapply this year (tax year 2021). If the Assessor's Office requires additional information from a homeowner to process the auto-renewal, they will be sent a booklet in March 2022 with instructions on how to reapply.
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When: All month of February
Where: Rogers Park (Howard to Devon, Ridge to the Lake)
This winter season put your money where your heart is!
You can participate in weekly drawings throughout the month of February to win gift cards from local businesses. Support our local independently-owned business community by shopping small during this winter season.
Participants can win weekly gift card prizes for local businesses with a grand prize of $1,000 at the end of the month.
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Steep Theatre's Open House |
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Steep Theatre is hosting an open house at their new location.
Date: Saturday, February 26
Time: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: 1044 W Berwyn Ave, Chicago
Advance registration is appreciated. Face coverings must be worn at all times by all attendees age two and older, and indoor capacity will be monitored to allow for social distancing. Food and beverage will not be served, in order to maintain masking and parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Black History Month Celebration at Loyola Park |
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Northside AARP Community Meeting |
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Rogers Park Pride Looking for Volunteers |
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Howard Area Community Center is Hiring |
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The Howard Area Community Center began as a food pantry in 1967, today HACC helps feed thousands every year and offers resources to families from birth to old age. They are seeking a passionate team member due to organizational growth to manage multiple social service programs. The Program Manager provides supervision and consultation for five Program Supervisors and is responsible for all aspects of HACC’s adult education, workforce and reentry support services, domestic violence prevention and intervention, health services and dental services, youth services, and emergency food assistance programs.
The Program Manager reports directly to our center’s Executive Director and actively participates on the organization’s leadership team. The Program Manager helps to develop community plans and contributes to a wide variety of organization decision making. The Program Manger is responsible for all aspects of programs including creating and monitoring program budgets that total $2.5 million dollars in expenses and revenue, identifying and contributing to public and private grants applications, providing programmatic input in fundraising strategies, and assuring programmatic and fiscal compliance for government contracts and private awards.
Requirements & Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in social work, education, business administration or related field is preferred. Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, business administration or related field is required.
- At least five years of experience in social services with increasing levels of administrative and supervisory responsibility.
- Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience managing complex government contracts required.
- Experience creating budgets above $500,000 is preferred.
- Project management experience a plus.
- Must be able to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
The position is full-time, salary exempt, with a pay range of $65,000-$80,000.
The deadline to apply is Monday, February 28, 2022. To apply, e-mail cover letter and resume to Executive Director Jason Kaiser at jkaiser@howardarea.org.
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Sincerely,
Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District
Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy
5533 N Broadway
Chicago IL 60640
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773-784-2002(phone)
773-784-2060(fax)
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