We usually try to get the newsletter out on Friday or Saturday every week, but the holiday schedule and some more travel for me led us to decide to consolidate it into one newsletter for both weeks.
We’ll take some time off to celebrate and connect with friends and family this week. Our office will be open regular hours on Monday and Tuesday, with a half day on Wednesday remotely before closing until Monday the 27th.
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Official Ribbon Cutting for Our Office at 1507 W. Morse | |
Last week, it was fun to take part in the last Rogers Park Business Alliance Ribbon Cutting of the year, and especially fun to finally cut the ribbon on our “new” office on Morse! I love getting to meet new business owners and see what great things folks are doing in our community. We continue to meet with advocates as we work to put together our legislative agenda for next session and hope to have some final bill language to share soon. I ended the week in St. Paul, Minnesota, at the Midwest Region Reproductive Care and Abortion Access Progressive Governance Academy. This two day session featured advocates, legislators, health care providers, and patients sharing expertise and updates from recent ballot initiative successes in Michigan and Ohio.
I’m very excited to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family. Every year, we have a slightly different assortment of folks who each share their favorite Thanksgiving traditions. We have a pretty traditional Midwest menu usually, with my friend Jan and I working together on the mains and desserts. At the PGA event I mentioned above, one of the ice breaker exercises when we were introducing ourselves asked us to share an unpopular opinion. Mine was that mashed potatoes AND macaroni and cheese have a place on the Thanksgiving table.
My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the leftovers. Last year, I shared my favorite way to use leftovers: Perfect Bite Wontons with Cranberry-Cayenne dipping sauce. My other Thanksgiving secret is that I make many desserts but rarely eat them on Thanksgiving night. There’s nothing better than a flight of pie with fresh whipped cream for breakfast on Friday morning. This year, I’m definitely doing apple and pumpkin pie, potentially a sweet potato pie for a head to head with Jan who hates pumpkin, and definitely a chocolate pear tart. Who knows, I might get really wacky and add something else to the mix if inspiration hits.
I hope everyone has a peaceful and friend-filled Thanksgiving.
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Our office will be closed beginning on Wednesday 11/22 for the holiday, we will still be available to answer emails, but will not have anyone in the office to answer phone calls or be seen in person. | |
CTA Yellow Line Crash Update | |
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A horrific CTA Yellow Line crash occurred last week on Thursday near the Howard Red Line Station that left 38 people injured. The Chicago Fire Department transported 23 patients to hospitals, and 15 people refused treatment. Seven of the injured were CTA personnel.
My office sends its condolences to all those injured. We hope for a speedy recovery. On Friday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) met with my chief of staff, Alderwoman Hadden, Governor Pritzker, Congresswoman Schakowsky, Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Morita, Senator Simmons, and representatives from Senator Durbin's office to discuss the incident and address questions surrounding the wreck.
The National Transportation Safety Board opened its investigation into the crash. NTSB investigates transit accidents and mishaps. The agency offers recommendations to ensure the prevention of such incidents. NTSB Board chair Jennifer Homendy has recently cited the train the collided with the snow equipment near the Howard Street station while employees were conducting training for the winter season according to their preliminary investigation. An investigation into the brake system and condition of the tracks is ongoing. NTSB will be on scene collecting evidence with the goal of releasing a preliminary report containing facts about the crash in a few weeks with a full analysis to come months later.
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Chicago Therapy Collective Marks Trans Day of Resilience to Commemorate Activist Elise Malary | |
In honor of TDOR 2023 and the enduring legacy of our late co-founder and Board Member, Elise Malary, a permanent mural will be created to honor her work and legacy. Utilizing the iconic location of the non-profit she co-founded, the Mural will serve as a landmark to celebrate her life and Black Trans Lives for years to come. The creation of the Mural will occur over 12 months, starting this Trans Day of Resilience (TDOR) 2023 with the release of an RFP and culminating on TDOR 2024 with the unveiling of the mural. Per the RFP, CTC is seeking proposals from artists with experience in visual arts to design, fabricate, and install a large mural that uplifts Elise’s legacy. All applicants must submit a qualifying application by January 15th, 2024 at 11:59 PM Central.
The objective of this project is to create a memorable installation visually featuring Elise and enshrining her legacy furthering the Black Trans Lives Matter movement in Chicago. The mural should reflect the beauty and challenge of Elise’s struggle and the vital cross-community support she won bringing activists, businesses, and community leaders together to advance trans-inclusion and economic justice for trans community members across the city.
Since her death in March of 2022, a chalk memorial/mural honoring Elise has been maintained by community and collective members on the southeast wall of Clark & Farragut, adjacent to CTC offices, Women & Children First Bookstore, and at an intersection where Elise herself gave several speeches on behalf of the Trans Community.
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It is time for our annual Winter Coat Drive in the 14th District!!! We are collecting new & lightly used winter coats, gloves, mittens, hats & scarves. We ask that all used items be laundered and in good wearable condition. If coats are not laundered we will not accept them. We will also not accept light or fall items. If you have any questions about what is acceptable to donate please call our office at 773-784-2002. | |
Rogers Park Small Business Saturday Welcome Station | |
On Small Business Saturday -Nov 25- The Rogers Park Business Alliance (RPBA) launches its Live Love Shop Rogers Park rebate program!
Join RPBA at Devon Market (1440 W Devon) from 10 AM-2PM for their kickoff event and enjoy warm treats, coffee, and carolers while picking up a shopping bag filled with giveaways, coupons and a list of special offers by local businesses.
To participate in The Live Love Shop Rogers Park rebate program, collect $150 or more in receipts from at least 4 different independently-owned businesses within Rogers Park from Saturday, November 25 through Sunday, December 31, 2023 and receive a $50 rebate. Collect $200 or more and receive a $75 rebate.
Join them and save while supporting local businesses this holiday season!
For more information about the kickoff event, visit the following LINK.
For more information about the Live Love Shop Rogers Park Rebate Program, visit the following LINK.
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Andersonville 2023 Holiday Events | |
The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is pleased to announce a festive line-up of holiday events celebrating the community’s rich Swedish heritage and encouraging residents and visitors to “shop local” in support of the neighborhood’s 100+ retail and dining establishments.
For 2023, ACC is excited to welcome back holiday traditions including the St. Lucia Festival of Lights, Julmarknad, Photos with Santa and the Holiday Trolley along with new events such as Shop & Dine Fridays and Hanukkah Candle Lighting & Drag Queen Storytime.
To learn more about holiday events in Andersonville, visit the following LINK.
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Illinois Veterans History Project | |
The Illinois Secretary of State’s office is asking Illinois military veterans and their families to share their stories, photos, and mementos for future generations as part of the Illinois Veterans History Project. The Illinois Veterans History Project is a statewide initiative that collects, preserves, and makes accessible first-hand recollections of veterans and civilians who served the five military branches. The Illinois Secretary of State's office encourages veterans and their family members to submit materials so they can digitize them and make them available online.
To submit an entry, visit www.ilsos.gov/veteranshistoryproject and fill out an Illinois Patriot Information Form to the Illinois State Library. Completed forms can be submitted electronically to ilvhp@ilsos.gov or by mail to the Illinois State Library, 300 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701−1796.
For more information about the Illinois Veterans History Project,
call (800) 665-5576 – ext. 4, email ilvhp@ilsos.gov, or visit the website at www.ilsos.gov/veteranshistoryproject.
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Healing Illinois Grant Application Now Open | |
The Healing Illinois Grant Application is now open! This grant, in partnership with The Field Foundation of Illinois, will distribute $4.5 million in grants to organizations across the state that facilitate racial healing activities, lead equity work and engage in meaningful dialogue. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through December 1, 2023 or until an expansion of funding.
To learn more about the program and to apply, visit the following LINK.
To register for upcoming info sessions, visit the following LINK.
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The Secretary of State has launched two “Senior Only” walk-in centers in the Chicago area. The two locations include the Evanston Civic Center, 2100 N. Ridge Rd. Evanston, IL 60201 and Seat Geek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem Ave. Bridgeview, IL 60455. Seniors at these locations will not need appointments, as these walk-in centers are specifically designed to meet their needs. Please reach out to our office at 773-784-2002 if you have any additional questions. | |
Emergency Heating Repair Program | |
The Emergency Heating Repair Program is now open to new applicants. This program provides grants for income-eligible Chicago homeowners to repair or replace their furnace or boiler heating system. Limited funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Enrollment will be accepted until April 1, 2024, or until all funds have been exhausted. If you have an email address, you can apply by clicking here. If you prefer a paper application, please call 311 to be sent a paper application package by mail.
The Emergency Heating Repair Program is available to Chicagoans who own and occupy a one-to-four unit residential building. Households earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI) are eligible to participate in the program.
For more information, visit chicago.gov/ehrp. For any questions, call (312) 744-3653 or email DOH@cityofchicago.org.
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LIHEAP Assistance: South-East Asia Center | |
The South-East Asia center is providing assistance in signing up for LIHEAP which helps low income households manage their energy bills. To apply, you and those within your household must all provide social security numbers, proof of income, and utility bills.
For assistance, visit the center at 5120 N. Broadway, call 773-989-6927, or visit seacenergy.com
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Amtrak Academic Scholarship | |
Greater West Town Training Programs | |
Greater West Town is announcing their November enrollment for Shipping & Receiving Training (Starts Nov 27th) and Wood Products Manufacturing Training (Jan 29th). Applications are accepted for both programs which come at no cost to income-eligible participants. Adult (18 and up) Illinois residents are eligible. A transportation stipend and job placement assistance are included.
To register and to view more information, visit the following LINK.
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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)
repcassidy@gmail.com
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