Kelly’s Week in a Nutshell
Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a great week. I had the pleasure of visiting another school in my district. Sullivan High School is a cherished institution in the Rogers Park neighborhood. It's nicknamed "Refugee High" due to it historically serving a large number of refugee students. Many of these families have fled to our country for various reasons and have made Rogers Park their home. It was a pleasure to speak to the 11th graders at Sullivan about the legislative process and how they can be future leaders in government. If there are any schools interested in me speaking to their classes please email my office at repcassidy@gmail.com.
I also held a couple of meetings with Alderwoman Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward and Senator Mike Simmons to help address long-standing tenant issues at one of our residential properties in the Rogers Park neighborhood. After months of trying to get relief on multiple levels, tenants have stated many issues still remain. We continue to have ongoing conversations with the property manager of this property. However, we felt it necessary to bring the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which has oversight of the property along with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) to the table so we can take some tangible next steps in getting these issues addressed. My colleagues and I will continue to do all we can for these tenants.

On Friday afternoon, we were excited to participate in a meeting of LGBTQ+ legislators and legislative staff from across the country convened by the LGBTQ Victory Institute, an organization dedicated to advancing equality through support for openly LGBTQ+ officials at all levels of government. The meeting was organized in response to the proliferation of anti-trans bills across the country, specifically, the bills that criminalize providing gender-affirming care. Legislators from coast to coast, representing red, purple, and blue states, discussed ways to build coalitions and play offense rather than defense to afford protections to families who travel from hostile states seeking care just as we have sought to provide support for abortion patients crossing state lines. I am excited to dig in and advance measures to protect trans youth here in Illinois. More soon!
On The Spot
In the past, we’ve invited guests to share their views in the newsletter. We’re bringing it back and periodically will feature a guest column called "On The Spot." This first guest column is by Halle Quezada who was named the 2022 Lifesaver of the Year by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance due to her efforts in making life safety equipment a requirement along Lake Michigan's piers and drop-offs. Please read her story below:

On July 6th, 2018 I witnessed the incredibly painful and preventable drowning death of a child on Lake Michigan. Several things would have made a difference that night and I was struck by how obvious, simple, and cost-effective they were. Before tragedy struck, I had never considered what was missing, but everything I assumed we would need in an emergency was not available when we needed it most—primarily, rescue floatation devices. 

Not only was my husband—a trained rescue diver—present that evening, but he had pulled out enough bodies of would-be-rescuers from the water that he refused to widow me in front of my children and instead frantically looked for anything that could float. In the meantime, several untrained bystanders and police began flocking the waters, all of whom needed rescuing themselves, so by the time the fire department arrived, all of their attention was on rescuing the people they could see gripping the break wall, bloody and bruised, and not on finding the 13-year-old who had submerged.

Soon I would learn the horror that unfolded during those daylight summer hours was not an isolated incident, but a pattern and a preventable one. Time and time again, young people were drowning in front of their powerless friends and family. Surely we could fix it. You can imagine how painful it was to spend three years being told by the City that their primary opposition to rescue floatation devices was the responsibility of replacing stolen life rings rather than the irreplaceable stolen lives. Many of my neighbors even got to the point where we provided the equipment ourselves which was of course later taken down. Representative Kelly Cassidy and along with other advocates decided to look at state policy as a way to make sure equipment is readily available along our beaches.
Representative Kelly Cassidy was interested in swift action because the price we pay each year waiting is simply too great a burden to carry. She was also practical, reasonable, and patient as she and Torrence Gardner took the time to explain the process to me, to amend the bill to meet the needs of the entire state rather than just Chicago, and ultimately garner unanimous support in the House and a sponsor in the Senate. We know the measure will not save every life, but it will protect people and it is an acknowledgment that the lives we have lost in the meantime were worth the investment. 

I am very grateful and humbled for the support and progress from her office and eager to take this opportunity to recommend our beaches be numbered, visible from the shoreline, to give an accurate location to first responders. However, this was truly a community effort. There's really nothing I've done as far as advocacy that I've done alone. Thank you to the Rogers Park community. Thank you to Alderwoman Maria Hadden for fighting tirelessly. Maria Diaz, Jim Ginderske, Jessica Leon, and Dave Benjamin deserve a debt of gratitude as well. I also applaud the courage of the Cisneros family who after experiencing the drowning of Miguel decided to help advocate to ensure this did not happen to others.
Northside Resource Day
Northside Resource Day
Secretary of State Sign-Ups
Northside Resource Day is happening TOMORROW!!

Sign-ups for the Secretary of State services are now closed. You can find required documents you will need to bring for your appointment along with fee information here: bit.ly/SOS-Drive. Please bring your fee payments in the form of a money order or check.

We will be taking walk-ins on a first-come, first-serve basis between the hours of 1:00pm and 2:00pm. These spots are extremely limited.

You can also see below for other organizations that will be in attendance.

  • A Just Harvest
  • Access Living
  • AHS Family Health Center
  • Alden Lake Shore
  • Care For Real
  • CARPLS
  • CASA Cook County
  • CEDA
  • Centro Romero
  • Chinese Mutual Aid
  • City Clerk Anna Valencia (City Key Card)
  • ComEd
  • Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi's Office
  • Cook County Board of Review Michael Cabonargi
  • Get Covered Illinois
  • Illinois Attorney General's Office
  • Illinois Department of Aging
  • Illinois Department of Family Services
  • Illinois Department of Human Services
  • Illinois Secretary of State
  • Illinois Treasurer's Office
  • Indo American Center
  • Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
  • Northside Community Resources
  • RTA
  • South-East Asia Center
  • Swedish Hospital
  • Thresholds
  • Trilogy
Neighborhood Shoutouts
Thank You Sullivan Principal Chad Thomas
Principal Thomas served a wonderful nine years at Sullivan High School. He created one of the most welcoming school environments in Chicago. He helped make students feel proud of themselves regardless of where they came from. He showed an appetite for change and listened to his students. When trying to be a more inclusive leader after reading the book Refugee High which documented the lives of several students back in 2017, Principal Thomas gave power to his students to design and implement the mosaic that was to be created on the school's property.

He also led the school in its creation of an English Learner (EL) Academy, essentially a school within the school, that allows any student who is learning English to apply to be a student at Sullivan. 

Principal Thomas now serves as the Director of Principal Engagement for Chicago Public Schools where he will continue to be the great connector that he was for so many during his tenure at Sullivan.

I trust the school will be in good hands with Interm Principal Christina Gonzalez. I had the pleasure of meeting with Interim Principal Gonzalez earlier this week. I liked her energy and thirst for understanding of Sullivan's community. I learned she was from Chicago's Hermosa neighborhood and has a wealth of experience (17 years) as an educator and administrator. The first thing she asked me was what I had most appreciated about Principal Thomas’ work to transform Sullivan and I shared how much I had enjoyed talking to him about our shared passion for restorative justice practices and learning about the ways he had integrated those principals into the fabric of Sullivan. With a huge smile, she shared that that was what had led her to want to come to Sullivan!
In the District
Artists of the Wall Registration Opens May 1
The Loyola Park Advisory Council (LPAC) will be starting up again the amazing annual Artist of The Wall event. The event will take place two days over Father's Day weekend (June 18 through June 19). A total of 150 spaces will be painted over the two days. This event is a great opportunity for those who wish to have a good time or show off your amazing art to the community along our beautiful beach walking path.

On May 1st registration will open for spaces. The spaces will be opened 50 slots at a time over three days (May 1, May 3, and May 5). Please only sign up for one space. The LPAC will vet the registration list and allow only one space per family/pod.

More information and registration are available on the LPAC's website by clicking here.
Jarvis Square Artisan Market Returns April 30
The Jarvis Square Artisan Market will return to Jarvis Square (Greenview and Jarvis) for another season! The market brings local arts and craft vendors to the Jarvis Square Alfresco area where they can showcase and sell their creations. The market also has live music and food for patrons to enjoy. 

Vendors who are interested in participating should email charmersartisans@gmail.com
OurNeighborsTable Market Every Saturday
The Glenwood bar has partnered with local artists to host a series of art markets called OurNeighborsTable running every Saturday through May 28th. The program will feature a variety of artists, bakers, and music makers.
COVID-19 Updates
What's Our Status?
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 24,646 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 46 deaths since April 22, 2022. IDPH officials noted that the case rate has been slowly rising in the state and five Illinois counties are now rated by the CDC as having a Medium Community Level of COVID-19. These counties are DuPage, Lake, Champaign, Logan, and McLean. 

IDPH recently announced that it will no longer report seven-day average case positivity rates. Positivity rates normally offer a glance at how quickly the virus is spreading. This was seen as critical early in the pandemic. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention now places more importance on case rates and hospitalizations due to having vaccines and other treatments available.

April 29th Update:

  • Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 IL residents in the past 7 days: 27.6
  • New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 IL residents in the past 7 days: 59
  • The percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by IL COVID-19 patients: 23%

The above graph highlights the 7-day rolling average for hospital admissions. Hospitalization rates are rising again. The state does feel prepared in the event of a surge 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, April 29th:

Statewide Totals: 3,138,682 confirmed cases, 33,614 deaths and 21,871,073 vaccines administered

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
Vaccination Money
IDPH Free COVID-19 Test 
The Illinois Department of Public Health is proud to be partnering with the Rockefeller Foundation to offer free COVID-19 tests to households in identified priority zip codes across the state. Eligibility is based on zip codes with the highest risk of Covid-19, using the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) combined with state data on Covid-19 burden.

The website is live. Constituents living in eligible zip codes can go to www.AccessCovidTests.org to order a free test kit.
  • Each household will receive 1 kit with five tests within one to two weeks after ordering.
  • No payment information is required — both the tests and shipping are free to eligible residents.
  • The program is currently limited to one order per residential address.
Resources
City's Cash Assistance Program Now Open
The Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot is a $31.5 million dollar commitment from Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the City of Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services as part of an effort to tackle poverty and put residents at the center of the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 5,000 Chicagoans will be selected through an open application and a citywide lottery to receive $500 per month for twelve months, with no strings attached. That means that there are no limitations on how the money can be spent by recipients. The Mayor believes that people living with poverty simply do not have enough money to make ends meet. Cash assistance changes that circumstance and empowers residents to decide how to best meet their financial needs and goals.

Applications are now open, and close on Friday, May 13. Eligibility requirements and more information is available at chicago.gov/cashpilot.
Illinois Homeowner Assistance Program
The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) program offers assistance to Illinois homeowners who have struggled to pay their mortgage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ILHAF is funded through the U.S. Department of Treasury and starting today, they will begin accepting applications for grants of up to $30,000 to eliminate or reduce past-due mortgage and property tax payments.

For more information, visit the Illinois Housing Development Authority's website here.
LIHEAP Utility Assistance
City Utility Assistance
Utility Billing Relief (UBR) provides low-income City of Chicago residents with a reduced rate on their water, sewer, and water-sewer tax as well as debt relief for those who demonstrate they can manage the reduced rate bills for one year. Benefits for UBR participants include:

  • A reduced rate on water, sewer, and water-sewer tax
  • No late payment penalties or debt collection activity including water shut-off
  • Debt forgiveness after successfully completing one year with no past due balance

Operating in partnership with the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA), who operates the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the UBR program will utilize their expertise and extensive network of partner organizations to conduct outreach and enroll homeowners. For more information and how to apply, visit here.
Citizenship Education and Interview Preparation Classes
Online English Classes Through Heartland Alliance
Youth and Teen
Online Math Classes Offered
Lifeline Theatre Drama Summer Camp
Lifeline Theatre is excited to welcome campers back into their theatre in person this summer! Campers will spend their days digging into stories, moving their bodies, learning production skills, and connecting with each other. Lifeline Theatre's drama camps are process-oriented, and each session is an age-appropriate mix of rigor and a tremendous amount of fun. Lifeline Theatre promises to meet your child where they are, whether this is their first performance experience or just one of many.

This summer, the books they have chosen for their campers to adapt into plays all focus on community, inclusion, and celebrating difference. Each camp features a camper-created stage adaptation performed for families and friends on the last day of camp. For more information, visit their website.
Chicago Early Learning Preschool Applications Now Open
Senior Resources
In-Home COVID Booster Appointments
The Protect Chicago at Home program is offering homebound residents and seniors who received their in-home vaccines earliest to schedule their booster shot appointment. To make an appointment for a visit, call 312-746-4835 or register at Protect Chicago at Home. For more information on the Chicago Booster Shot Program, visit here.
Job Openings
Per Scholas Career Training
Gale Community Academy is Hiring a Crossing Guard
Gale Community Academy is in need of a crossing guard at the intersection of Howard and Ashland between the hours of 7:30 am to 8:30 am and 2:45 pm to 3:45 pm during school days. The starting pay rate for a crossing guard is $15.46 an hour and they are eligible for CPS employee benefits. Hired crossing guard can also be eligible for Gale Elementary Community Academy to hire as a miscellaneous employee to support the school between the hours of 10:30 am - 1:30 pm. 

Those interested in applying should cps.edu/careers and search for "Crossing Guard" in the "Keywords" section of the job board. For further questions, you can contact Crossingguard@cps.edu.
CPD Is Hiring
AMOpportunities is Hiring
AMOpportunities (AMO) is a Chicago-based start-up company that connects international medical students and graduates, as well as domestic DO and PA students, with U.S. physicians and institutions for clinical experiences. Job listing at AMO can be found here.
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)