Constituent Services

As your liaison to all State Agencies my district office is able to help you with any state issue. Below is a list of commonly asked questions if your question isn’t answered, please contact my full time district office via email at RepCassidy@gmail.com, call (773) 784-2002, or visit my district office at 5533 N. Broadway with any service need.

How do I get Food Stamps or a Link Card?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly Food Stamps) helps low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health. The SNAP program is admistered by the Department of Human Services. DHS offers a range of services to help you become healthy and self-sufficient.

Website: http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?

DHS Help Line

1-800-843-6154

1-800-447-6404 TTY

What has changed regarding the Circuit Breaker program?

As of July 1st, 2012 the property tax grant and Illinois Cares RX prescription assistance program have both been cancelled due to budget cuts. Any application returned before July 1st will still qualify for the grant. The circuit breaker program now only applies to the reduced cost licence plate sticker and the Senior Ride Free card.

If you have not received your new Senior Circuit Ride Free Permit or Reduced Fare Permit please call 312-913-3110 or stop by the district office for help.

What do I do if my Identity has been stolen?

The Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan created the first-ever Illinois Identity Theft Hotline. The hotline provides Illinoisans who have been victimized by identity theft with one-on-one assistance as they work to report the crime to local law enforcement and financial institutions, repair their credit, and prevent future problems. If you have been the victim of identity theft or believe your personal or financial information may have been compromised, please call the toll-free Identity Theft Hotline at: 1-866-999-5630 or 1-877-844-5461 (TTY).

Website: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/hotline.html

If you have any questions or need help navigating your issues with Identity Theft please feel free to contact my District Office

I just lost my job; do I qualify for Unemployment Benefits?

Generally, to be eligible for UI benefits you must, have lost your job through no fault of your own; have earned wages in insured employment; be available for new work, and be actively seeking new work.

File your claim for unemployment insurance benefits during the first week after you have become unemployed. You can file for benefits online at www.ides.illinois.gov or at a local IDES office. If you are uncertain about your eligibility for benefits, ask your local IDES office for further information. You must also register for job placement service at an IDES office or online at Illinois Skills Match.

If you have any questions or need help navigating your issues with Unemployment Benefits please feel free to contact my District Office

How do I pay for college?

The cost of going to college is rising steadily and graduating students may have difficulty financing four years of college or two years of community college, trade or technical school. To reduce the financial burden, there are a number of programs designed to offer assistance to prospective students.

Students first need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for grants, loans and work-study programs. Most assistance is awarded based on demonstrated financial need or merit, college cost, and availability of funds. The funds may be used for appoved programs at technical schools, colleges and universities. By completing the FAFSA Illinois students who attended Illinois institutions can also designate they are applying for the state Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant.

For more information the Illinois Student Assistance Commission can be reached at 1-800-899-4722 or please feel free to contact my district office.

Website: http://www.collegeillinois.org/

Businesses in the 14^th District

The state of Illinois has a variety of services and programs that can help start business, grow business, or create jobs.  The only problem is that the bureaucracies that exist in Springfield can grow too large and leave most small businesses to fend for themselves.

My full-time constituent service office can help business owners and operators in the 14^th District navigate the web of bureaucracy that makes it difficult for business owners to get the help they need and have earned.

Non-Profits in the 14^th District

Non-Profits play a vital role in our community serving the 14^th District with a multitude of activities, events, and, programs. The State of Illinois provides a variety of grants to help supplement funding for non-profits. Due to the budget crisis Grants have become extremely difficult to find and are very competitive. If your organization needs help finding the right grant or a letter of recommendation please contact my full time district office at 773-784-2002 or via email at repcassidy@gmail.com