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This week was mostly dedicated to committee action as we get closer to the deadline to advance substantive bills to the floor on April 5th. We’ll start to see movement on members’ bills over the next couple of weeks as negotiated amendments start to appear and bills get closer to their final form. I advanced two bills out of the Housing Committee last week, HB4796 that will require landlords to disclose all non-optional fees on the front page of a residential lease to allow renters to know the full cost of the lease and HB5238 mandating that all newly constructed mobile homes be equipped with weather radios.
As exciting as getting underway with our legislative agenda may be, the big news out of Springfield this week that we finally passed the long awaited and much debated Chicago Elected School Board Map. This will allow candidates to begin circulating nominating petitions later this month in anticipation of electing 10 of the 20 members this November, with the other 10 transitioning from appointed to elected in 2026. There was a lot of debate and confusion about what the final outcome would be, and I’m thankful to my colleague Rep. Ann Williams who led our chamber’s working group and calmly worked to cut through the noise and confusion to come to a practical and thoughtful approach to finally implementing the school board bill. The Senate Democrats crafted an excellent FAQ resource for anyone seeking information about the districts and the process for becoming a candidate. The first day to circulate petitions to gather the minimum 1,000 signatures to get on the ballot is 3/26/24.
Speaking of elections, early voting is underway in the neighborhoods. Early voting sites in the 14th district are:
- 40th ward - Budlong Woods Library, 5630 N. Lincoln
- 48th ward - Edgewater Library, 6000 N. Broadway
- 49th ward - Willye White Park, 1610 W. Howard
- 50th ward - Northtown Library, 6800 N. Western
Sites in other wards and hours can be found here.
On Friday, we had the pleasure of touring what promises to be an amazing resource for our community. Test Positive Aware Network, or TPAN, has expanded their footprint in Edgewater and is building a full service HIV/AIDS care facility that will ultimately provide testing, treatment, case management, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health in addition to hosting a food pantry, a drop-in space, and publication and distribution of their magazine, Positively Aware. TPAN’s offices were our neighbors in the old office on Broadway, and they’re expanding to take over the offices we shared with Senator Simmons, Alderman Osterman, and Congresswoman Schakowsky as well as the old 48th Ward Democratic Party office in the same building. Seeing our old spaces gutted was amazing and revealed just how funky and cool our old converted industrial space really was. I’m excited to see how they build out their new space while embracing the industrial elements of our old space. They are aiming for an August opening. Below is a photo of our visit with TPAN leadership.
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Next week’s session runs from Tuesday to Thursday, with the main focus on committee action. I’m hoping the bill tracking wall will be a little more filled in by then, but it was nice to make the first progress marks before I headed home for the weekend | |
Daylight Savings Time Begins | |
Early Voting Has Begun Downtown | |
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Early voting is available at the Downtown Supersite (191 N. Clark) and Board Offices (69 W. Washington, 6th Floor). Any voter in Chicago can vote at any early voting location, no matter where they live in in the city.
All other early voting locations will open up across the city on Monday March 4th at 9:00am, You can find the site list and schedule for all other early voting locations here. You can also find your polling location (Or help family/friends find their polling locations) here.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
March 4 through March 19, 2024 (Election Day)
- Weekdays: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Election Day: 6:00am - 7:00pm (March 19)
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You Could Have Unclaimed Property! | |
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ICASH, Illinois’ unclaimed property program, reunites Illinois residents with missing money, such as forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, stocks, dividends, or life insurance policies of deceased relatives. Since taking office in 2015, Treasurer Frerichs has returned more than $1.9 billion. An estimated one in four Illinois adults discover property to claim when they search and the average claim is $1,000. Yet, many Illinois residents are not aware of the ICASH Program or that they have unclaimed property. The State Treasurer is holding more than $5 billion in unclaimed funds and would like to see even more money returned to Illinois residents.
To find out if you have unclaimed property follow this LINK
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Happy International Women's Day | |
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Friday, March 8th marks International Women's Day. This day not only celebrates the accomplishments of women globally, but allows us to reflect on the women that make our local communities particularly special. The 14th District is filled with such a diverse collection of women that are doing amazing things daily. Our office would like to thank the women that tirelessly work to improve their own lives, our community, and the lives of fellow women.
To learn more about this holiday, visit the following LINK.
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RP/WR Historical Society Host Lecture on Chicago's East African Community | |
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Hear Fr. Paul Kalenzi speak about Chicago's East African Community, many of whom call Rogers Park and West Ridge home.
According to the 2015-2019 American Community Survey, there are close to 50,000 individuals of African descent living in Chicago. Many of these 50,000 live on the Far North Side in Rogers Park, West Ridge, and in bordering Evanston. Join the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society for their next Living History Series for a presentation on their speaker's story and the history of African migration to Chicago.
Date and Time: Wednesday, March 13, 2024 @ 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Location: Rogers Park Library, 6907 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60626
As space is limited, please pre-register for this event by visiting the following LINK.
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Andersonville Seeking Musicians for Sidewalk Shows! | |
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The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is currently looking for musicians to set up around Andersonville and perform for shoppers! They have secured a permit for the district, so applicants do not need a busker's license to join them. However, musicians may not use amplified sound.
To register, visit the following LINK.
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Northside Restaurant Week Begins! | |
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Northside Restaurant Week begins this Friday, March 1st! Several of the friendly neighborhood Chambers of Commerce have joined forces to showcase the abundance of great restaurants to be discovered on the north side. North Side Restaurant Week is a great way to explore cuisine and fine dining at restaurants throughout our diverse communities. Enjoy flavors spanning the globe - from Argentinian, French, and Italian to southern comfort food, new American classics and more.
Restaurants in Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Andersonville, Edgewater, Northcenter, Rogers Park, and Uptown will show off their wide range of dining options throughout the week with special prix fixe menus to enjoy.
To learn which restaurants are participating, visit the following LINK
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20th District Monthly Meeting | |
The 20th District Police Station is hosting its monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 12th at the Sweedish Hospital (2751 W. Winona St.) from 6:00PM to 7:30PM. To RSVP for this event virtually and for making public comment, visit the following LINK. | |
Our office (1507 W. Morse) will serve as a drop off location for The Diaper and Menstrual Care Drive that will support Care for Real. We are accepting drop offs Monday - Friday from 9am-5pm. Please call 773-784-2002 to make sure we will be in the office. | |
2024 Glenwood Sunday Market Applications Are Open | |
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The Glenwood Sunday Market is returning in June and they are looking for vendors! Bring your fresh produce and more directly to the community. The Glenwood Sunday Market has been making sustainable, regionally produced foods available to the community for 15 years, Running Sundays June 2 - October 27 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on the southbound Glenwood Avenue between Morse and Lunt Avenue.
Applications are open for vendors, if you are interested apply today!. The deadline for applications is Wednesday March 13th.
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Chicago Coalition for the Homeless 2024 Scholarship | |
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The Chicago Park District is hosting a series of summer opportunity fairs for teens. Teens can earn a paycheck, make friends, keep active, have fun, and make a difference by working in the parks!
A variety of employment opportunities are available to suit all interests, schedules, and experience levels.
Positions available for Chicago residents ages 16 and older include Lifeguard, Recreation Leader (for Day Camp), and Junior Laborer (landscape maintenance). Additional positions are available for ages 18+.
To learn more visit the following LINK.
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Wild Onion Market General Manager | |
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The Wild Onion Market is accepting applications for its first General manager Position.
Per the job description: The General Manager (GM) plays a pivotal role in leading our cooperatively owned grocery store to achieve the mission, vision, and Policy Governance as articulated by the Wild Onion Market Board of Directors and ownership. This is an onsite, store-based role with extensive public contact in a dynamic environment.
To learn more about this position, visit the following LINK.
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Edgewater Chamber of Commerce Hiring | |
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Edgewater Chamber of Commerce is hiring a Community Development & Business Services Manager!
Are you an extremely organized, detailed-oriented program manager with experience managing a Special Service Area, Business Improvement District, Economic Development Corporation or membership association? If yes, Edgewater Chamber of Commerce is looking for you!
To learn more about this position and to apply, click here.
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Sincerely,
Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District
Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy
1507 W. Morse Ave
Chicago IL 60626
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773-784-2002 (phone)
Info@repcassidy.com
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