We’ve had another full week in our office! On Monday, Speaker Chris Welch announced the formation of several caucus working groups to ensure that our chamber is ready to tackle pressing issues as we move into the fall with an eye towards Veto Session as well as any potential special sessions or Lame Duck session in January. The groups include Reproductive Health and the Dobbs Decision; Firearm Safety and Reforms; Mental Health; and Social Media and Online Extremism. These groups are in addition to the Public Safety working group that has been ongoing since this Spring. I am pleased to have been selected to lead the Reproductive Health and Dobbs Decision working group and look forward to working alongside my colleagues chairing the other working groups to craft a meaningful package of legislation to address some of the most critical issues facing our state. Rep. Bob Morgan will chair the firearm safety group, Rep. Deb Conroy is leading the mental health group, Leader Jaime Andrade has the social media group, and Leader Jehan Gordon Booth has been leading the public safety group since earlier this year. To read more, click here. 

Our working group, which includes Reps. Ann Williams, Dagmara Avelar, Margaret Croke, Lakesia Collins, Terra Costa Howard, and Anna Moeller as well as Majority Leader Greg Harris and Majority Conference Chair LaToya Greenwood, will begin work immediately with our first organizational meeting early next week. We will be examining some of the actions taken by other states in the wake of the Dobbs decision, consulting with constitutional experts to determine our best path forward, and seeking input from those most directly impacted by the threats to rights rooted in the right to privacy in the wake of this decision - particularly patients, providers, and families here and in impacted states. As our work develops, we’ll provide updates and links to find more information about the potential policies we’ll be putting forth. In addition this week, I was proud to stand with Mayor Lori Lightfoot as she signed an executive order prohibiting city departments from participating in civil or criminal investigations related to out of state patients seeking reproductive health care.

In the meantime, we continue to focus on addressing our constituents’ needs and have been working closely with state and local health departments as well as community providers to get accurate information to share with the constituents who have reached out to find out more about the monkeypox outbreak we’re seeing in the city and state. While there are still not adequate vaccine supplies for everyone who is at risk, there was a recent shipment of 15,000 doses that should improve access. In addition, we have been forceful in our recommendations to both Chicago and Illinois Departments of Public Health that in addition to increased supply much more needs to be done to reach those in need of the vaccine including utilizing providers who are available outside of standard working hours, as well as demanding much more accessible educational materials to help people learn the risks and keep themselves safe. The Chicago Department of Public Health Hotline at 312-746-4835 is a great resource for getting your questions answered. It is staffed Monday -Saturday from 8am-8pm and from 8-4 on Sunday

As we prepare for our next legislative session, we are working closely with advocates to review the implementation of the state’s bullying laws and will be launching a survey soon to get feedback from students, families, teachers, and administrators. We are also continuing to move ahead with outstanding bills such the Name Change Modernization Act, the Gender-Based Violence Re-Sentencing Act, and the Human Composting bill. These are three of the bills from this past session that didn’t get done that we hope to move in the fall or spring session. We love getting bill suggestions from constituents, so if there’s something that has you thinking “there oughta be a law,” please do share!

It’s hard to believe the summer is winding down, but we’re kicking off back to school season already! Check out our school supply drive below. Every year, we rely on the generosity of our community to help hundreds of students start the year off right. We know the need is greater than ever this year, so please help out if you can. I’m looking forward (?) to participating in next week’s Back to School Bash at Eugene Field Elementary where apparently yours truly gets to take a spin in the dunk tank. Come on by and try your luck!

Everyone have a great weekend and stay safe!

This week, my interns and staff took an informative site visit to the Jardine Water Purification Plant run by the Chicago Department of Water Management. They got a look at how our city’s water is taken in, treated, and made ready for drinking! It was a fascinating visit and a great way to appreciate the effort and attention it takes to supply clean water throughout Chicago. Thank you for having us!

Staff learned all about the plant and had an amazing tour guide to answer all of their questions!

Taylor, Elizabeth, Carlos, Sara, and Torrence sporting safety equipment for their tour!

We are hosting a back-to-school drive for CPS students in coordination with the offices of Alderman Harry Osterman and Alderwoman Maria Hadden!

We are collecting book bags and other school supplies for CPS students from now until August 19th before their new school year begins on August 22nd.

Please drop off any donations at:

Rep. Cassidy's Office -- 5533 N. Broadway

49th Ward Office -- 1447 W. Morse

Women & Children First -- 5233 N. Clark

R Public House -- 1508 W. Jarvis

It is the perfect time to check out the native flowers on full display before the summer ends at Leone Beach. And, with ideal timing, the Leone Beach Park Advisory Council will be leading a free walk of the restored prairie and savannah nature areas on Sunday, July 31st!

This is a great opportunity to learn about the plants that thrive in our neighborhood and how they contribute to the local ecology.

Tours take off at the Leone Beach field house (Touhy & the lake) at 1pm. 

On the first three Friday nights of August, enjoy live music at restaurants on and off Broadway! Along with the scattered performances at restaurants, there will be one large concert at St. Ita's parking lot (5500 N Broadway) on August, 26th. 

For a full list of participating restaurants and artists, click here. 

Join our office at Eugene Field Elementary to celebrate the upcoming back to school season! Participate in a variety of games, select school supplies, munch on some of the provided food, meet CPS faculty, and receive a COVID vaccine. 

Our own Representative Cassidy will be testing her luck in the DUNK TANK!   

The back to school bash will take place on August 5th from 2pm-5pm at Eugene Field Elementary (7019 N Ashland).

Be sure to mark your calendars! Our office is sponsoring a document shredding event on August 27th between 10am and 1pm at 5533 N. Western Ave. Fill as many bags as your can! These guys can handle it!

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is hosting is annual Sidewalk sale this weekend (July 29th- July 31st)! Stroll down Clark street and check out what all of your favorite businesses have to offer! 

For more information, visit the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce's website here.

July 29th Update:

• Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 IL residents: 278
• Daily new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 IL residents: 3.8
• Percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by IL COVID-19 patients: 6%
• Statewide Totals: 3,563,653 confirmed cases and 34,357 deaths

For more details regarding the status of COVID in Illinois click here.

Please click here to see the status of COVID in our zip codes.

Being vaccinated and boosted is critical to limit the major impacts of future pandemic waves we are to face as new variants come along. Please be up to date with your vaccines and continue to test when needed.

To find a vaccine clinic within the City of Chicago click here.

For questions or info regarding COVID-19 testing click here.

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

We are starting to see an increase in monkeypox infections. Monkeypox is a disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). According to Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Arwady "The city has already received 5,409 doses. Distribution has targeted those in close physical contact with people diagnosed with monkeypox, as well as people who may be at higher risk of contracting the disease because of their sexual activity."

Symptoms of monkeypox can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches and backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion
• A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appear on your face and other parts of the body

Illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

The lawyers committee for better housing is offering a rental assistance program for qualified applicants. Call 312-784-3527 to speak to a case manager and see if you qualify. You can also find out more information at www.rentervention.com or text "hi" to 866-7RENTER (866-773-6857). 

The Chinese Mutual Aid Association is accepting enrollment for their citizenship class in the winter session. Learn english language skills & how to ace the citizenship naturalization interview. To enroll, call Erika at 773-784-2900 ext 140 or 312-380-0647 or email erikah@chinesemutualaid.org. 

Chicago Public Schools has released their full back-to-school bash schedule. The bash connects families with their local school communities, provides the opportunity to get a COVID-19 vaccine, and offers much needed school supplies.

Mark your calendars for the bash on August 5th at Eugene Field Elementary (7019 N Ashland Ave) between 2pm and 5pm. 

Chicago Methodist Senior Services provides important resources and opportunities for senior citizens in Chicago. Click on the image above for more information. 

Chicago Seniors Connected is a series of programs offered by the city of Chicago to keep seniors socially engaged and healthy in their communities. Click on the image above for more information.

Greencorps Chicago is hiring for a 4 month employment opportunity with on the job training. Applicants can expect to work around 30 hours a week with an hourly wage of 18.50. Applicants must be 18 years old, be a Chicago resident, pass a drug screening (marijuana exempt), and expect to show proof of vaccination.  

To apply visit www.greencorpschicago.org or call 312-746-9777. 

Chicago public schools is hiring lunch staff across the district! The position includes a regular Monday-Friday schedule with all holidays off. Applicants will also be treated to medical, dental, and pension benefits. 

To apply, visit cps.edu/carrers. For more information, email nsscareers@cps.edu. 

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

5533 N Broadway

Chicago IL 60640