Well, fall really made its presence felt this week, didn’t it? Welcome to sweater weather! I do love a good Chicago summer, but the change of seasons never fails to perk my mood. Maybe it’s from growing up in a place without traditional seasons, but while I might grumble on a chilly morning dog walk, I love how the switch affects everyone. Jack, my 4-year-old Mastiff pup, has been so full of energy (and mischief) this week and we realized he’s enjoying the switch too! 

I was thrilled to get a chance to spend some time with Principal Margaret Alhasoon, who started this school year as the new principal of Swift Elementary. After spending time as Assistant Principal at Jordan School in Rogers Park, she’s excited to tackle the challenge of leading a school in her first Principal role. We spent time talking about her desire to engage not just the parent community of Swift, but to make the school an integral part of the entire community so that all of Swift’s neighbors see the school as a part of their lives. To that end, we talked about ways we can work together to both improve the lives of the students and families served by Swift and also to bring resources to the entire community through activities and events. We’re excited to collaborate with her and her team and hope to have some fun events to share soon.

Tuesday night was a great opportunity to celebrate the passage of the incredible nation-leading Clean Energy Jobs Act and the meaningful change it will bring to our state via decarbonization, equity-focused job creation, and consumer rebates related to the ComEd scandal just to name a few components of this groundbreaking law. It was also a chance to celebrate the community-led victory over General Iron and the champions who led the fight, including Rogers Park’s own Alderwoman Maria Hadden.

Pictured above: Leslie Perkins (Chief of Staff 49th Ward), Alderwoman Hadden, Me, Natalia Vera, Jim Ginderske, & Torrence Gardner (My Chief of Staff)

Our work to get bills ready for the next session continues, with meetings on our human composting bill, discussions with focus groups on a potential update to the state’s bullying law, policy discussions on protections for sex workers, and early budget forecasting briefings. I love passing meaningful bills, but getting the chance to learn from experts in a broad array of subject areas is perhaps my favorite part of this job. While the legislative calendar for the next session hasn’t been released yet, the bill introduction deadline is usually in late January or early February, so we’re working hard to stay on schedule to have our bills ready at the earliest opportunity. As policies develop, we’ll keep sharing them in the newsletter. 

In an earlier version of the newsletter, we asked for your ideas - what makes you stop and think “there ought to be a law?” A couple of folks responded and we’ll be digging into the policy research around those ideas to share in an upcoming newsletter. If you’ve got something you’d like us to look at for possible legislation, send us your ideas!!

Next week brings us to the end of the High Holidays with Yom Kippur on Tuesday night and Wednesday. For all who will be observing, I wish you an easy fast. The rest of the week will continue our work meeting with advocates and stakeholders in preparation for the session ahead. On Friday, several of our team will join House colleagues including Rep. Daniel Didech to support Buffalo Grove Pride, which has become the latest target of the only harassment initiated by Libs of Tik Tok. We will not be bullied into silence and out of existence. I’m proud to stand with the families and friends in Buffalo Grove who are determined to reject hate.

We must continue to reject hate in all forms. We have recently received more busloads of migrants due to Governor Abbott of Texas's hatred for asylum-seeking migrants. Operation Lone Star has been an initiative that has sent buses to Chicago, Washington D.C., and New York City. This operation of expulsion has led to much panic as cities have had to brace how to plan for an unknown number of buses arriving with very little coordination due to the failure of Governor Abbott’s administration not providing adequate information. We have received over 10 bus loads since August 31st here in Chicago containing over 1,000 people who have largely come from Venezuela. Temporary shelter centers have been set up throughout parts of the city. Alderwoman Hadden of the 49th Ward recently announced this week that Leone Beach Park’s facility will be now utilized to shelter 50-60 migrants. Single men and women will be stationed at this makeshift shelter center. The High Ridge YMCA also has been turned into a shelter as of last week. Our district is strong and we contain the best volunteers who have such big hearts and it’s why I love representing this area. As a welcoming district, I know people are ready to show their support in big ways. However, in this particular case, we must channel that energy in a specific way due to the nature of this situation. This shelter at Leone Beach will not accept volunteers, walk-ups, or direct donations on-site. Again, I know the outpouring of support will be large but please follow instructions on how to best support as described below:

If you wish to volunteer with the City of Chicago, please complete the volunteer registration form found here.

For a list of donation items needed please click here or scroll below to Alderwoman Hadden’s flyer in our newsletter.

My office will also serve as a donation drop-off site. We are located at 5533 N Broadway, Chicago IL 60640. We are open Monday thru Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Please do not leave any donations outside my office or Alderwoman Hadden’s office if we happen to not be present.

49th Ward Vaccination Event 

Alderwoman Maria Hadden's office is also collecting items for the newly arriving migrants coming to the City. See the flyer above for items being collected and office hour information. Please make sure to drop off items directly to a staff member. Please don't leave items outside of Ald. Hadden's office.  We will also be collecting supplies at our District office at 5533 N Broadway Ave.  Monday - Friday from 9a-5p. 

Sign up to borrow our office museum pass for access to museums all throughout Chicago! Constituents are eligible to check out the pass for two full days at a time. The pass is good for weekends and weekdays for general admission exhibitions at the following museums:

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• Adler Planetarium
• Art Institute of Chicago
• Brookfield Zoo/Chicago Zoological Society
• Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
• Chicago Botanic Garden
• Chicago Children's Museum
• Chicago History Museum
• DuSable Museum of African American History
• The Field Museum
• Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Museum of Science and Industry
• National Museum of Mexican Art
• National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
• John G. Shedd Aquarium

For more information and to sign up to check out the pass, visit repcassidy.com/museum-pass. Please allow up to 48 hours for us to get the pass to you. If you need assistance or have any questions, you can call our email our office at 773-784-2002 or repcassidy@gmail.com. 

Roger's Park and Loyola University icon Sister Jean threw out the first pitch at the Cubs game this week! On their Twitter account, the Cubs called themselves the "Sister Jean Fan Club." Us too! Watch her great throw here.

Edgewater Historical Society 20th Anniversary Celebration

The Edgewater Historical Society has been a staple in the community for two decades. On Sunday, you're invited to a 20th anniversary celebration. Hear stories about the history of Edgewater from people who have become experts on the neighborhood.

There will be music by Radium Swing Band, food, drinks, door prizes and a silent auction. The festivities will begin at 3pm and wrap up at 7pm. The celebrations will take place inside and outside of the museum.

Glenwood Oktoberfest

Glenwood Oktoberfest will be celebrating with music, beer specials, beer bratwurst and pretzels with beer cheese sauce.

Date: Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2, 2022

Time: 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM CDT

Location: Glenwood Avenue Alfresco (on Glenwood between Morse and Lunt)

For more information visit here.

Chicago Pet Health Fair

Andersonville Arts Weekend

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with The Bramble Arts Loft and Connect Gallery, is pleased to welcome back its 18th annual Andersonville Arts Weekend, with the neighborhood transformed into a “walkable art gallery” from Friday, September 30–Sunday, October 2, 2022. The three-day event includes over 40 businesses and more than 100 artists representing multiple genres including visual art, theatre, dance, music, makers, film, culinary, student art, and much more. Returning Arts Weekend mainstays include the Self-Guided Art Walk on all three days and the popular Night of Parties, an evening of artist receptions kicking off on Friday, September 30 at 5 pm. New this year is the Andersonville Wine Art Walk, a curated wine and art experience on Sunday, October 2 from 3-6 pm.

Friday, September 30th Update:

• Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 IL residents:12.3
• Daily new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 IL residents: 78
• Percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by IL COVID-19 patients: 19%
• Statewide Totals: 3,762,220 confirmed cases and 35,011 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

Cook County's Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program will open applications between October 6th and October 21st.

About the Program:

• 3,250 eligible Cook County families will be chosen at random to receive $500 a month for 24 months 
• The application will be open from October 6, 2022, till October 21st, 2022

Eligibility requirements:

• Be a Cook County Resident
• At least 18 years old
• Not participating in any other guaranteed income program (Chicago or Evanston)
• Household income that falls at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Immigration status does not matter nor will it be asked

You can learn more about the program and sign up for updates at https://www.engagecookcounty.com/promise.

Every Wednesday from 5:00-6:00pm, until November 9th, Bezazian Library is hosting College Application Support for teens ages 15 through 19. Bezazian Library is offering support on deciding what colleges to apply to, personal essay feedback, and a space for other teens to destress and share thoughts about the process. You can stop by as frequently as you'd like!

Bezazian Teen Library Associate Rachel, has taught Professional Development and Creative Writing classes for high school students and has a game plan for tackling your personal essay. She also loves proofreading!

This series is geared toward current juniors and seniors planning to attend college. Sophomores interested in getting a head start on college selection and 19-year-olds who are still in high school or taking a gap year are also welcome.

For more information on dates and how to sign up, visit the Chicago Public Library's website here.

After School Matters (ASM) is now accepting applications for their fall programs running October 3rd through December 17th. Teens ages 14 to 18 can choose from hundreds of programs in the arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM. Along with furthering their passions, teens get a chance to develop new skills for life beyond high school and earn a participation stipend in the process.

Teens can apply at www.afterschoolmatters.org/teens/apply. For more information about ASM and how you can support Chicago teens, visit

www.afterschoolmatters.org.

Polished Pebbles will host its Every Girl is a CEO Global Career Conference for 8th graders through college-aged young women on Saturday, October 15th! The theme is "One Million Girl CEOs." The global career conference will kick off with an in-person Pink Hard Hat Symposium, exclusively for young women in the Chicagoland area to learn about careers in construction, manufacturing, and the trades on Saturday, October 1st from 10:00am to 2:00pm. 

CTA Hiring Event

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy

State Representative, 14th District



Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

5533 N Broadway

Chicago IL 60640