Update

First and foremost, I wanted to thank all of our generous donors who made donations to our Menstrual Hygiene Drive for Care For Real. We are so thankful to have organizations such as Care For Real who work so hard to serve our constituents. Thank you for all that you do!

I hope all of you had a great week! I will keep things brief for this week's newsletter. President Biden recently signed an Executive Order Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Services. What does this mean? Biden is utilizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that states do not block access to abortion care and contraceptives. His administration will be convening volunteer lawyers to strategize and push for robust legal representation for patients, providers, and third parties. The goal of the Executive Order will be to also protect patient privacy by addressing the transfer and sale of sensitive data and combatting digital surveillance and fraudulent scheme. Lastly outsidee of outreach and educational info to Americans the Executive Order calls for the creation of an interagency task force to help streamline the efforts of his administration. Of course, the state of Texas has already filed suit to prevent one of the more meaningful provisions from taking effect: the order made clear that doctors have a duty to provide emergency care including abortions to address some of the most heinous examples of the harm of total bans.


I thank President Biden for doing this but more is always needed. Rest assured here in Illinois we are committed to making our laws even stronger when it comes to reproductive rights in the weeks and months to come. Stay tuned for more updates!



Please make sure to scroll down to our "Resources" section and read about the importance of the monkeypox vaccine as well as the new 988 crisis line that goes live on July 16th! 


To schedule a monkeypox vaccine go to TPAN located at 5537 N Broadway. Vaccines are on a first come first serve basis every Monday starting July 18th from 2 pm to 5:30 pm. Howard Brown Health Center is also offering vaccines, but supplies are very limited, so always check before going.


To learn more about 988, see the IDHS' fact sheets attached in the Resources section. For more information about CESSA, you can visiAccess Living’s website.

School Supply Drive

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

View CPS School Supply Lists
Shop and Ship Donations Directly to Rep. Cassidy's Office

Police Seek To ID Robber of Woman, 80, on Jarvis Red Line Stop


Chicago police are seeking help from the public to identify a suspect in a robbery that took place last week on the Red Line.


Police said the suspect is responsible for a strong-arm robbery last Saturday at approximately 1:10 p.m. at the Red Line Jarvis Avenue stop, located in the 1500 block of West Jarvis Avenue in the Rogers Park neighborhood.


The victim was an 80-year-old woman who was seated on the train. Police said the offender approached her and took her purse by force from her neck area. This caused the victim to be lifted from her seat and knocked to the ground.


Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to contact the Bureau of Detectives Area Central at 312-745-4706.

Neighborhood Shoutouts 

A Visit With CMAA

On Tuesday, my team and I had the pleasure of meeting with employees of the Chinese Mutual Aid Association for a tour of their facilities and a lovely catered lunch from one of Argyle's many family-owned businesses. During a presentation of their provided services, we learned that not only have 296 of their clients become US citizens this year through their Citizenship and Immigration Program, but they also hold a variety of after school programs and youth summer camps to supplement students' regular curriculum, some of which we got to see in action. Furthermore, they have an extensive team dedicated to educating adults such that they gain skills necessary to joining the workforce. Needless to say, they provide a lot of critical services for Asian Americans that are actively adjusting to life in the U.S.


On August 6th, CMAA is hosting Dim Sum & Then Some: The Uptown 5K & 10K. 


Chicago's "Dim Sum & Then Some" race is a one of a kind 5K/10K in the Northside's "Asia on Argyle" neighborhood! On Saturday, August 6th, runners, joggers, and walkers start and end in the exquisitely diverse Uptown community all while traveling up and down Chicago's beautiful lakeshore trail. Even the little ones can sign up for a medal-winning Kids Race! For the 5th year, the Dim Sum & Then Some race supports the resources of the decades-old Chinese Mutual Aid Association, a non-profit supporting the Asian American Pacific Islander community. Runners get a finishing medal, T-shirt, bubble tea, and.... of course-- Dim Sum!


Lace up today and head to www.DimSum5k.com to use the promo code "14th" for a 10% discount!

Visit the CMAA website
Register for the 5K/10K

Edgewater Monday Market

Join us for a Monday Market in Edgewater! Our office will be out tabling this Monday, July 18th from 4:00pm-7:00pm. Hope to see you there!

In the District

Plan a Community Event in One of Three Public Plazas

The Rogers Park Business Alliance (RPBA) has dedicated public space ready for you to use for community events and programming at Jarvis Square and Glenwood Ave Alfresco Plazas and the Clark Street People Spot! Want to hold an open mic? Interested in meeting with your book club or knitting circle in an open environment? Want to host a card tournament? Teach a class on your favorite hobby? RPBA is excited to be able to provide public spaces for community programming. We are looking forward to experiencing the creativity or our community and transformation of our pubic plazas.


Keep in mind that times are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, and that the public spaces are only available for events between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. (10 p.m. on weekends). 

Sign up!

Chicago SummerDance

Chicago SummerDance is hosting a Peace, Love, and Unity dance party with free dance instruction by professional dancers in addition to other creative activities. 


Where: Willye B. White Park -- 1610 W. Howard

When: July 20th from 4:30-7:40pm

Theatre Above the Law Summertime Carnival 

Join Theatre Above the Law for its all-ages carnival on Sunday, July 31 from 12:00-4:00 pm in Jarvis Square. The carnival will feature booths and games that are fun for the whole family!


Admission to the event is FREE! Tickets for the raffle, booths, and games are $10 for 10 on carnival day. If purchased in advance through Eventbrite, you can take advantage of a special deal: $20 for 25 tickets! That's 5 tickets FREE!!


Purchase advance tickets by clicking here. Questions about the event can be directed to tony@theatreatl.org.

The Comedy Social at Rogers Park Social 

Enjoy some laughs and libations every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at Rogers Park Social, 6920 N. Glenwood. The bar will host The Comedy Social, featuring comics and performers sure to keep you entertained. 


The Comedy Social runs from 9-11 pm, with sign-ups beginning at 8 pm. Those interested in performing or hosting should contact Anthony at 312-788-4309.

2023 Chicago Budget Engagement Forums

The Mayor's Office and Office of Budget Management (OBM) are hosting three Budget Engagement Forums this month. Each public engagement forum will begin with presentations from Budget Director Susie Park and other City leaders, followed with small roundtable sessions, and public comment. OBM will also provide an update on last year’s Responsive Initiatives that

provided specific programs and services responsive to community engagement feedback. Participants in the forum will have an opportunity to provide input and ask questions. 


Feedback from the forums will be incorporated into the 2023 Responsive Initiatives, developed from the public report published by the University of Illinois at Chicago’s (UIC) Great Cities Institute, detailing the data collected from public input. Once finalized, these inputs will be presented with the 2023 Budget Recommendations.


Doors open an hour before the forums begin to allow participants time to attend the City Resource Fair where representatives from the City’s departments and sister agencies will be available to answer questions and provide information on City services and programs.

 

BUDGET ENGAGEMENT FORUM I:

Thursday, July 21 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm 

Kennedy-King College, 6301 South Halsted Street 

REGISTER HERE 

 

BUDGET ENGAGEMENT FORUM II:

Saturday, July 23 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 

Malcolm X College, 1900 West Jackson Boulevard

REGISTER HERE 

 

BUDGET ENGAGEMENT FORUM III:

Saturday, July 30 | 10:00am - 12:00 pm 

Harry S. Truman College, 1145 West Wilson Avenue

REGISTER HERE 


The Budget Engagement Forums will be live-streamed on the City of Chicago’s social media channels. For residents unable to attend an in-person forum, an online version of the roundtable exercise will be made available beginning July 21, found on the 2023 Budget site at Chicago.gov/2023budget.

COVID-19 Updates

What's Our Status?

July 15th Update:

The BA.5 variant is the current dominant COVID-19 strain across the country. This variant is highly transmissible and may be able to break through immunity protections like vaccines and prior infections. The medical recommendation is still to get fully vaccinated and boosted when appropriate to prevent the severe incidence of COVID-19 and subsequent virus mutations. Everyone is also advised to mask in crowded indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. Hospitalization admission rates are still fairly low in Chicago as doctors are mostly not seeing severe symptoms with this new variant.


Statewide Totals: 3,496,014 confirmed cases and 34,257 deaths


  • Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 IL residents: 260
  • Daily new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 IL residents: 3.7
  • Percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by IL COVID-19 patients: 6%


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

Resources

Monkeypox Vaccine

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.

9-8-8 Number Launches This Weekend

In August of 2021, House Bill 2784 was signed into law passing the historic Community Emergency Services and Support Act or CESSA. This bill I crafted in partnership with Access Living and coalition partners would allow mental health professionals — not police — to treat citizens experiencing mental health crises. Calls to 911, 311, and other emergency response centers that are seeking mental and behavioral health support are transferred to the State's new 988 number, unless there is ongoing criminal activity or a threat of violence. CESSA will be instrumental in bringing meaningful changes to how authorities respond to mental health emergencies, while also ensuring that people who require immediate mental health services are treated by trained professionals. 


The Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health will begin implementing its 9-8-8 number beginning Saturday, July 16th. As the chief sponsor of the CESSA bill, I am thrilled to get to see the beginning of its implementation.


To learn more about 988, see the IDHS' fact sheets attached below. For more information about CESSA, you can visit Access Living’s website.

Illinois ABLE Program

The Illinois State Treasurer's Office has launched the Illinois Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program. IL ABLE accounts are savings and investment accounts that can give eligible people with disabilities and their families greater financial independence. IL ABLE makes it possible for those with disabilities and their families to save and invest their money for expenses related to living with a disability without jeopardizing public benefits such as SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid. For more information, visit illinoisable.com.

Receive Medicaid Regardless of Immigration Status 

As of July 1, 2022, the State of Illinois expanded Medicaid coverage to residents ages 42 and up regardless of immigration status. To be eligible, a resident has to meet the following guidelines:


  1. Be a resident of the State of Illinois;
  2. Be a Green Card holder of fewer than five years or an undocumented resident (including individuals in a Temporary Protected Status);
  3. Be 42 years of age or older;
  4. Meet income requirements (determined by age):
  5. For residents aged 65 and older, an individual's gross income cannot exceed $13,590/year ($1,133/month). A household with two people cannot have a gross household income that exceeds $18,310/year ($1,526/month). Additionally, assets for one person cannot be more than $2,000; or more than $3,000 for two people.
  6. For residents ages 42 to 64, an individual's gross income cannot exceed $18,754/year ($1,563/month). A household with two people cannot have a gross household income that exceeds $25,268/year ($2,106/month). 


South-East Asia Center (5120 N. Broadway, 2nd Floor) is helping individuals apply for coverage. If you need assistance, please contact South-East by phone at 773-989-6927 or email at seacsocial@yahoo.com.

University of Chicago Launches Community Utility 

The University of Chicago's Center for Radical Innovation for Social Change launched its Community Utility project to help Chicagoans seek help with paying their utility bills. Users can visit the website and post their need for assistance, and others can by making a financial contribution toward those bills. Individuals may contribute, either wholly or partially, to help cover those costs.


The Center for Radical Innovation for Social Change developed the website after speaking with CEDA and community service organizations that serve as CEDA partner intake sites. These conversations helped them better understand the LIHEAP program and where gaps exist. The goal of Community Utility is to help fill those gaps by providing people with financial relief to cover their most urgent utility bill needs. These needs include bills that fall above the $200 LIHEAP cap or those who may not be eligible for LIHEAP.


To learn more, visit Community Utility's website

C 24/7 Hosts 2nd Annual The Great Giveaway 

C24/7 is hosting its second annual Great Giveaway event. The event will take place on Saturday, July 30, from 2-6 pm at Willye B. White Park, 1610 W. Howard. There will be bikes, toys, carnival games, and activities for all to enjoy. 


Want to donate to the event? Consider making an online cash contribution to C24/7 to go towards gifts and prizes. 

Youth & Teen

CPS Summer Programs

Andersonville Summer Reading Program

Senior Resources

Senior Connections Program

Job Openings

Your 49th Ward Office is Hiring

Alderwoman Hadden is hiring key Constituent Services positions for the 49th Ward governmental services office. Applicants must be organized, have project management skills, ability to seek out solutions and resources to unique problems, and possess conflict resolution and customer service skills. Bilingual candidates are preferred. 



Interested applicants should email a resume, cover letter, and references to office@49thward.org

We Will Chicago Now Hiring 

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD), MUSE Community + Design is hiring a promotion team to represent We Will Chicago at community events this summer and fall.


They are looking for outgoing, enthusiastic, and organized people to help with public engagement and education. 


Available positions:

We Will Chicago Promotion Captain ($35/hour – up to 24 hours per week)


Promotion Captains will provide logistical support to We Will Chicago Promoters at events and will be responsible for transporting equipment and materials to events. 


We Will Chicago Promoter ($20/hour – up to 12 hours per week)


Promoters will staff tents and tables at community events, talking with attendees about We Will Chicago and collecting feedback. Promoters will use digital tablets at events for the public to take digital surveys. Promoters should be comfortable helping neighbors use a digital device if needed.


Please email WeWill@CityofChicago.org with any questions. To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/wwcjobs

CPS Employment Opportunities

Sincerely,


Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District




Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy


5533 N Broadway


Chicago IL 60640


repcassidy.com

773 - 784 - 2002 (phone)

773 - 784 - 2060 (fax)

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