Kelly M. Cassidy is a Democratic State Representative for Illinois' 14th House District in Chicago's North Side, including areas like Rogers Park. She has served since her appointment in April 2011, winning election to her own terms thereafter and currently in her fourth term as of recent records. As the only openly gay female member of the Illinois General Assembly, she lives in Rogers Park with her spouse Candace Gingrich and three sons. Cassidy is a prominent LGBTQ+ rights activist, organizer, and progressive leader focused on criminal justice reform, women's rights, and equity.

Notable Achievements and Positions

• Primary sponsor of the Reproductive Health Act, affirming bodily autonomy and modernizing Illinois' abortion laws.
• Led the effort to ban conversion therapy in Illinois, serving as a model for other states.
• Sponsored the House bill legalizing adult-use cannabis, emphasizing restorative justice and equity for communities impacted by the war on drugs.
• Championed bans on for-profit detention centers.
• Passed marriage-equality legislation and advanced anti-bullying and trans-inclusive hate-crimes laws.
• Priorities include small-business development, combating gun violence, restoring social services funding, and programs for domestic violence, hate crimes, human trafficking, mortgage fraud, and DNA evidence use.

Education and Political Experience

Cassidy moved to Chicago from Florida in 1991. Her early career included serving as legislative director for the Chicago chapter of the National Organization for Women *, empowering women to engage legislators. From 1993 to 1997, she managed *Illinois State Senator John Cullerton's district office, focusing on constituent services that influenced policy. From 1997 to 2011, she worked in the Cook County State's Attorney’s Office as legislative liaison, then Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Director of Programs and Development, managing $20 million in grants, creating victim support programs, and leading budget processes amid cuts. Appointed in 2011 to replace a resigned incumbent, she also serves as 49th Ward Committeeperson. Her nonprofit, state, and local government experience informs her responsive representation style.