Abortion Access Round Table
This is our first-week post the Supreme Court releasing their ruling that struck down Roe v Wade. We must continue to advocate for the firewall of legislation that makes abortion in Illinois accessible to those who need it and for the protection of those seeking to come to Illinois for services and refuge. Today, I joined Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky for a roundtable to discuss just that. Congresswoman Schakowsky and I discussed the legislative implications of this ruling. Attorney General Kwame Raoul discussed keeping abortion care accessible. Leaders from ACLU Illinois, Planned Parenthood, and Chicago Abortion Fund discussed resources and what services their organizations offer to those seeking care. Finally, Molly Tobin, an 18-year-old Illinoisan joined us to discuss her health condition that prevents her from being able to carry children in the future. For her and so many others, the right to abortion is truly life or death. We thank you Molly for sharing your story. 

Participants also offered a handful of resources throughout our discussion.
  • reproductiverights.gov offers information on your right to abortion, birth control, and other preventative healthcare services. 
  • abortionfinder.org is a safe way to search for abortion clinics near you along with the local laws regarding abortion access and restrictions. 
  • plannedparenthood.org allows you to make an appointment with a clinic near you. Planned Parenthood’s data is protected, so you can search safely. 

You can watch the roundtable discussion here. 
Wine and Conversation
Thanks to everyone who came out on a hot Thursday afternoon and joined us for our Wine and Conversation event. We discussed the recent Roe v Wade decision and some possible goals for our Special Session that will happen some time next month. If you were unable to attend, keep an eye on our newsletter for similar events in the future.
Welcome Interns!
You've probably seen them out at some of our summer events this June, but we would like to formally welcome our summer interns! Elizabeth Smith (pictured left) is going into her junior year studying Government, joining us from Georgetown University. Carlos Barragan (center) is a rising senior studying Urban Planning at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sara Stemmler (right), soon to be a junior at Loyola University Chicago, is studying Political Science.

We are very excited to have you all here at our office and look forward to a great rest of the summer!
Office Closed July 4th
Care For Real Donation Drive
Our office is hosting a Menstrual Hygiene Product Drive for our neighbors at Care for Real. Care for Real is a wonderful local organization that provides food, clothing, referral, and additional services to low-income residents in need. Care for Real relies on "Neighbors helping Neighbors" and needs your help! 

We will be collecting menstrual hygiene products such as pads and tampons of different sizes. You can drop off donations at our office located at 5533 N. Broadway Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. You can also purchase items from our Target wishlist directly at bit.ly/CareForReal-Drive

You can find a full list of their other needs here

Thank you for donating-we want to support Care for Real for all that they do and those who menstruate in our community so they can experience their periods with dignity.
Neighborhood Shoutouts
Ellipsis Coffeehouse
Credit: Edgewater Chamber of Commerce

Edgewater-based couple Mike and Janine Waszkowski took over Ellipsis Coffeehouse in April and are working to revitalize the spot into a gathering space for the community. The couple spent eight years in Los Angeles working in the food industry prior to moving back to Chicago, all the while cultivating their dream to open their own café. They are now working to put their own spin on a well-established spot, located at 1259 W Devon Ave.

On the counter, half-pound cookies are available for purchase from Janine's baked goods company, Bake Me Wild. Several cookie-inspired drinks are also now on the menu, such as the refreshing Strawberry Rose Matcha Latte and Brown Sugar Shaken Latte.

Guests will also enjoy a remodeled interior, a food menu, and a market area stocked with Edgewater-crafted products. The couple also plans to host a variety of events, including movie nights and art pop-ups. As Janine puts it, "we want this to be the coffee shop for everyone in the area."

Visit Ellipsis' Facebook page.
A Mini World Cup Celebrates Refugees in Chicago
Credit: Jonathan Aguilar/Borderless Magazine

The morning of June 18th, a dozen amateur soccer teams gathered to compete at Pattawattomie Park on Chicago's far North Side. The teams, composed of refugees and immigrants from more than 15 countries, took part in a World Cup-style competition as part of the 20th anniversary of World Refugee Day Chicago. One player expressed hope that the event may one day take place on a national scale. In addition to the soccer tournament, World Refugee Day events included a solidarity march, music and dance performances, along with poetry readings from over 20 artists.

To read more about the mini World Cup, click here.
In the District
Rogers Park Music & Arts Fest
Flatts' & Sharpe Music Company is once again hosting the Rogers Park Music & Arts Fest Friday, July 8th and Saturday, July 9th. The Fest will bring together thousands of people from surrounding communities to celebrate the ethnic diversity and bohemian arts of the Rogers Park neighborhood.

Check out the music lineup.
Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival
Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival (BWiFF), is a not-for-profit organization that assembles character-driven independent film programming constructed by bold and innovative storytellers for the purposes of education, entertainment, and thought-provoking discussion.

The annual festival welcomes submissions from filmmakers that utilize story elements in a new and exciting way, presenting character-driven independent cinema that is fueled by the filmmaker's passion for the art without large studio support.

The festival will run July 15 - 21. In-person screenings will be held at Chicago Filmmaker's firehouse cinema located at 1326 W Hollywood Ave in the Edgewater neighborhood.

For more information, visit the festival website.
To purchase tickets for a screening, click here.
Aartwerk Studio Beginner Painting Classes
Aartwerk Studio in Edgewater is offering six sessions of a Painting I: Acrylics and Oils course July 3 - August 7. The course will provide an in-depth introduction to color theory and invite students to begin to think about composition not just in terms of form and value, but also with regard to color. Students will learn hands-on different ways in which to start and develop a painting.

To learn more and to register for the course, click here.
Open Mic Night at The Comedy Social
The first and second Tuesday of July is Open Mic Night at Rogers Park Social. Any level of experience is welcomed!

When: July 5 and 12 from 9-11pm -- mic signups start at 8pm
Where: Rogers Park Social, 6920 N. Glenwood Ave.
COVID-19 Updates
What's Our Status?
Cook County continues to experience a High Community Level risk for COVID-19. It is currently recommended that everyone wear masks in crowded indoor settings. In an additional update, the CDC has approved both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to be safe for children as young as 6 months old. Please stay up to date with your vaccines and get tested if you are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed.

July 1st Update:

  • Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 IL residents in the past 7 days: 31.6
  • New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 IL residents in the past 7 days: 108
  • The percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by IL COVID-19 patients: 20%

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.
COVID-19 Count as of Friday, July 1st:

Statewide Totals: 3,435,189 confirmed cases and 34,150 deaths

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
Resources
Thresholds Services
Thresholds provides a comprehensive array of clinical services for people with serious mental illnesses and substance use conditions. We have specialized services for young people experiencing psychosis, young adults, deaf adults, veterans, and those experiencing homelessness. We also offer a wide array of supported housing services. All clients have access to support networks that include social workers, case managers, psychiatrists, therapists, and nurse practitioners, creating a holistic approach to recovery. 

Thresholds serves all clients regardless of ability to pay. For more information about eligibility for services, contact our Intake and Access Department at 773-572-5500 or email intake@thresholds.org.

For more information about Thresholds programs, visit www.thresholds.org/programs-services. Our programs are occasionally at full capacity; please call for the most current information available.
Utility Bill Relief Program
South-East Asia Center Resources
CDF Community Pop-Up
Apply For Your Free Transit Card Today!
The Chicago Moves Program is providing relief to Chicago residents struggling with transportation expenses. Chicago Moves aims to help combat the spiking costs of gas and rising inflation by providing 100,000 Chicago transit riders with a $50 prepaid transit card.

Prepaid transit cards can be used to add transit value to your Ventra account or purchase an unlimited ride pass through the Ventra app, Ventra website or Ventra Vending Machine.

If you are a Chicago resident and are at least 18 years old, you may be eligible to receive a $50 transit card.

The City of Chicago will distribute prepaid transit cards to each winner via the mail.

Youth and Teen
CPS Summer Programs
CPS created a website - cps.edu/summerprograms — with the district's summer programming information and links to programs that are offered through CPS and through other city agencies.
Senior Resources
Job Openings
Life's Sweet Inc. Hiring Cook & Cake Decorator
Life's Sweet Inc. is looking for a part-time cook and cake decorator. The base pay is $18/hr. All candidates must be Food Handler certified or Licensed Foodservice managers.

Email resumes to: lifessweetinc.jobs@gmail.com

For more information click here
Legacy Barber College is Enrolling
Come learn the art of barbering at Legacy Barber College! Students will learn barbering skills, job readiness training, receive access to apprenticeships, and forge connections within the community.

For more information click here or email info@legacybarbercollege.net
We Will Chicago is Hiring
We Will Chicago, under the Chicago Department of Planning & Development, is an initiative to encourage neighborhood vibrancy and address inequities in our city.

We Will Chicago is looking for outgoing and organized people to fulfill public engagement and education program efforts.

We Will Chicago is hiring Promotors ($20/hr - up to 12 hrs/wk) and Promotion Captain ($35/hr - up to 24 hrs/wk) positions.

Click here to learn more and apply
Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District

Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

5533 N Broadway

Chicago IL 60640
773-784-2002(phone)
773-784-2060(fax)