On Sunday, our district got hit by an intense storm referred to as a supercell, a rotating thunderstorm that dumps an enormous amount of rain over a relatively small area as shown in the picture below. There were more than 1,400 complaints of water in basement or water in street to Chicago's non-emergency 311 system that day with another 700 complaints following the day after according to 311 records, including my own basement. If you have not already, the local ward offices recommend still making a 311 report if you experienced flooding as data from these kinds of calls helps determine the needs and distribution of services. Most of the North Side received around 4 inches of rain in record time. In most areas, the city has an inlet control valve system that slows the flow of water into the storm sewers which intentionally causes the streets to flood to avoid basement and garden unit flooding and extreme pressure on our sewage system. However, the intensity of the storm overwhelmed even that system. While this was referred to as a 60-year storm, those measures don’t seem to apply anymore as climate change is leading to more intense storms. We must continue to push policies that tackle climate change as it is a reality that we cannot ignore.

Back in 2014, then-Senator Steans and I sponsored SB2966 with The Center for Neighborhood Technology to pass the Urban Flooding Awareness Act that brought together government agencies, subject matter experts across multiple disciplines, and stakeholders to identify policy recommendations including issues such as increased use of the permeable pavement. The link above goes to another study on flooding conducted by CNT that points out the disparate impact of urban flooding on lower-income and under-resourced communities. We will be reaching out to the Department of Natural Resources to determine if further policy changes are warranted in light of the increased rate of events such as this one.

For those thinking of purchasing flood insurance click here.

For questions regarding homeowners insurance and processing claims after a disaster click here for info from the Illinois Department of Insurance.

As if the week wasn’t off to a great start already, we also came into the office on Wednesday morning to quite the surprise. 

Around 5:00am Wednesday morning, someone threw a brick through the window of our district office that we share with Alderman Osterman, Senator Simmons, Commissioner Gainer, and Congresswoman Schakowsky. Security footage shows the time the individual threw the brick along with them and then quickly fled northbound towards Bryn Mawr.  

Although the window will be boarded up until replaced, our office is still open to assist our constituents. I am grateful that no one was at the office when this happened and that everyone is safe. We do not know the reason behind this attack or if any of us were specifically targeted, but I am thankful for CPD and ISP who have been great working through the investigative process. 

Saturday, I’ll be joining leaders from SEIU-HCII, the union representing health care workers at many of our state’s nursing homes, to urge owners of area nursing homes to use the money the state allocated to increase workers’ wages to do so. In past years when the state has granted the nursing home industry requests for increased funding, those funds never seemed to reach the workers in spite of promises by ownership. So, the last time we contemplated rate increases for nursing home providers, we specifically allocated funds for worker pay increases. Many of the operators here and around the area have simply not bothered to apply for these funds, denying their workforce a much-needed raise. The weekend continues with some end-of-summer block parties and Care For Real’s second annual community celebration at the Broadway Armory parking lot Sunday afternoon.

I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing weekend. For those of you who like me have more cleanup ahead of you this weekend, hang in there. I’m trying to embrace the forced clean-out of long-neglected storage and using the opportunity to envision how we’ll use the basement once the boys head off to school next year. I can’t say I’m always able to maintain that positive attitude, but it helps a bit anyway. Does anyone else have a bright side story they want to share? Let us know!

As we continue to receive asylum seekers into the city, the Chicago City Council Latino Caucus has put together a Warm Welcome Drive to collect necessary items those arriving will need. Remember to donate solely new items as well as smaller clothing sizes for adults and children.

For more information on how you can apply to be a volunteer or in what ways you can make donations, you can visit the City's website. 

Beginning this past Monday, Illinois residents began receiving their 2022 tax rebates as a part of the Governor's Illinois Family Relief Plan. These rebates will come as a check in the mail or will be directly deposited into your bank account. Distribution will take about eight weeks, so please be aware of delays. Rebates will come in the form of an Income Tax Rebate as well as a Property Tax Rebate.

Income tax rebates for single people will be $50 and $100 for those filing jointly. Residents with dependents will receive a rebate of up to $300, $100 per dependent, with a maximum of three dependents accounted for. Income limits for this rebate are $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for joint filers. To qualify, you must have been an Illinois resident in 2021 and meet the income criteria. If you filled out the 2021 IL-1040 tax form, you will receive your rebate automatically. If you haven't filed individual income tax returns and completed the form yet, you can still claim your rebate by filling out the form online. 

Qualified property owners will receive a rebate equal to the property tax credit claimed on their 2021 IL-1040 form, with a maximum payment of up to $300. To be eligible, you must have paid Illinois property taxes in 2021 on your primary residence. Adjust gross income limits are $250,000 for single filers and $500,000 for joint filers. Property owners can still receive that rebate as long as they fill out the IL-1040 form by October 17.

For more information, you can read this article or visit Illinois Department of Revenue's website.

Yesterday marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. During this month, we as a country celebrate and recognize the contributions and influence the Hispanic community has made to our history and culture as well as acknowledge their achievements. Below is a statement from our constituent advocate:

As the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, I’ve always loved celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and sharing what this month means with my family, friends, and former students back when I was a teacher. One of their favorite parts was

my interactive bulletin board (pictured right), where they would take time guessing the flags of various Spanish-speaking countries between classes and while waiting in line. It was always so fun to see them engaged with their friends and quizzing each other (unprompted by me!). My students always loved seeing themselves and their classmates’ cultures reflected in their environment and loved learning more about them. Let the beginning of this month be a reminder to us of the importance or representation in policy and in the world around us as well as the importance of learning and celebrating those similar and different than ourselves alike. 

-Taylor Ortiz, Constituent Advocate

The annual 49th Ward shredding event will take place on Saturday, September 24th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm in the parking lot on the Southwest corner of Clark and Morse (6934 N Clark St)!

Please keep the following things in mind:

• Only bring sensitive paper documents to shred.
• Limit is 2 Bankers Boxes per person.
• The shredding service is only for private residents (no businesses or organizations).
• Please remove all paper clips and binder clips from your documents. Staples are fine!
• You must stay until your documents are reviewed and approved for shredding.

Our office, in partnership with City Clerk Anna Valencia, is hosting a CityKey Event on Friday, September 23rd from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Residents can come and apply for a CityKey Card at our office. This event is first come, first serve and we will serve as many as we can in the 10:00 to 1:00 time frame.

The CityKey is a free, optional government-issued ID card available to all Chicagoans regardless of age, gender, immigration status, or housing status. It serves as a government- issued ID, a Chicago Public Library Card, a Chicago Transit Authority Ventra Card, and a Chicago Rx prescription drug discount card. CityKey holders are also eligible for the many discounts and benefits offered by participating CityKey business partners across the city.

You can reference the following document guides to reference which documentation you must bring the day of the event:

• Document Guide for Adults
• Document Guide for Children
• Document Guide for Teens and Young Adults
• Document Guide for Veteran Designation

For more information about the CityKey Card program, visit

chicityclerk.com/about-citykey. 

Congratulations to the Rogers Park Business Alliance for securing the Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Development (RISE) Initiative grant! Through RISE, the state has offered competitive grants to help local governments and economic development organizations (EDOs) create new regional or local plans to promote economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. After the grants are awarded and plans are created, DCEO will offer grantees the opportunity to apply for funding for specific projects included in their plans. This program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This will be truly an impactful and much-needed grant for the area.

2nd Annual Care For Real Community Celebration

Join one of our incredible local organizations, Care for Real, for their Second Annual Community Celebration during Hunger Action Month Sunday, September 18 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Broadway Armory parking lot, (5917 N. Broadway).

The free event will feature delicious snacks, entertainment from DJ Dan Luna and School of Rock Evanston, remarks from Care for Real leaders, and an exciting raffle featuring prizes from local businesses and an overnight stay at the Peninsula Chicago in a Deluxe Guestroom with breakfast for 2! 

Contact Care for Real for more information at jen@careforreal.org.

Edgewater Arts Festival 

Twenty artists will come together this weekend for the Edgewater Arts Festival. It's happening on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-7pm. Vendors will be set up at Broadway and Granville. There will also be live music from bands paying tributes to Pearl Jam and Paul McCartney. Come out and enjoy what could be one of the last weekends with summer-like temperatures! Click here for more information. 

Edgewater Historical Society 20th Anniversary Celebration

Berger Park Cultural Center Members' Show

Community Viewing of "The Blues Brothers"

Jarvis Square Artisan Market

The Jarvis Square Artisan Market takes place in the Jarvis Alfresco between Greenview and Jarvis on Sat, Sep 17 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The market brings local arts and craft vendors to showcase and sell their creations. The market also has live music and food for shoppers to enjoy.

North of Howard Community Clean-Up & BBQ

North Of Howard Together is hosting its 2nd Annual Community Clean-Up and BBQ on Saturday, September 17. Attendees will meet at Willye B. White Park, (1610 W. Howard) at 9:30 am to register for the event. Between 10 am and noon, participants will help clean up and beautify the area. After cleanup, everyone will convene back at the park for a BBQ picnic. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and games.

For more information and to register to attend, visit here. 

The FDA and CDC have both approved omicron-targeting coronavirus booster shots. This will work to better protect Americans from the expected rise of COVID-19 cases this fall and winter. The boosters have been reformulated to take aim at the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants dominant in the United States. This updated vaccine will be available to Chicagoans aged 12 years and older.

Continue to book your boosters now at various city clinics, CVS Health, Jewel-Osco, Walgreens, Mariano’s, Walmart and Costco sites. 

For help finding a vaccine provider, visit Vaccines.gov or the City's website at chi.gov/covidvax.

Friday, September 16th Update:

• Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 IL residents: 20.6
• Daily new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 IL residents:117
• Percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by IL COVID-19 patients: 19%
• Statewide Totals: 3,731,410 confirmed cases and 34,875 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

Get COVID Vaccines at Home

One of our amazing local organizations, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, has provided us with some helpful informational graphics about LIHEAP utility assistance and how to apply. Please see the posters below. 

You can also reach out to CMAA to help process LIHEAP applications or for questions along the way. Visit their website www.chinesemutualaid.org for more information or give them a call at 773-784-2900.

Tryouts for the Jesse White Tumbling Team are coming up for students aged 6 - 16! Participants will need to have some basic tumbling skills.

Date: Saturday, September 17th

Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm

Location: Jesse White Community Center (412 W. Chicago Ave.)

For additional details, please visit www.jessewhitetumblingteam.com.

Uptown United is hiring part-time Argyle Corridor Ambassadors. The main task of Corridor Ambassadors is to provide a friendly presence to welcome residents back to local businesses. They will walk the commercial corridor, greet passers-by, and provide directions and other basic help for those who need it. You can find the full job description, visit here.

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 the City. To strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the City. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago.

The Cultural Affairs Coordinator II, Visual Arts position will serve as an exhibition curator, report to the Program Director of Visual Arts, and plan, coordinate, and oversee the selection and installation of temporary art exhibitions and their related public programs at the Chicago Cultural Center and other DCASE or City facilities.

You can find a full job description here and where to apply here.

The City of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications is looking to hire a Police Communications Operator II. This position includes dispatching units when emergency services are needed, managing police resources, and more. 

To view a full job description, click here. For more information on how to apply, click here.

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

5533 N Broadway

Chicago IL 60640