In a South Edgewater office with sloping 30-foot ceilings, a faded, oversized American flag hangs in the rafters, finding its place amid exposed brick and unashamed insulation. After years of direct sunlight, the flag has changed slightly, no longer the exuberant red, white, and blue. Beneath the flag sits a woman with shoulder-length black hair wearing dark-rimmed glasses and socks proclaiming, “OMG.”

The woman is Kelly Cassidy, a Parker mother and democrat with six years’ representing Illinois’ 14th district on Chicago’s North Side in the Illinois General Assembly. “As long as I can remember, she’s always been doing something that helps other people,” sophomore Josh Silets, Cassidy’s oldest son, said. “The only laws she backs are ones that she personally believes in.”

Cassidy’s younger sons, twins Daniel and Ethan Silets, are sixth graders at Parker. All three have attended the school since Junior Kindergarten.

Cassidy has long been politically active, landing her first Chicago job with the National Organization for Women. “It’s just always been part of who I am,” Cassidy said. “Working as an advocate for folks with less of a voice. Working for equality for women and kids and LGBT folks.”

The legislative actions pursued by Cassidy are inspired by passion rather than politics. Cassidy, one of just three LGBT legislators in the Illinois state house, feels additionally responsible as a result. “Representing the LGBT community, you have to represent beyond your district,” Cassidy said. “We’re not just representing the 14th district or the 13th district, but we’re also there for all the LGBTQ folks in the state who might not have a voice.”

Cassidy played a key role in passing marriage equality for the state, outpacing the historic Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court ruling by over a year. Heather Steans, Illinois State Senator and fellow Parker parent, said, “Kelly is fierce.”

Senator Steans worked closely with Cassidy and Representative Greg Harris while the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act came down the legislative pipeline. “Kelly would go and take road trips all over the state to go and meet with her colleagues in the house to try to get them supporting the bill,” Steans said.  “She was awesome.”  

More recently Cassidy has devoted energy to backing legislation that promises to impact nearly all Illinoisans: legalizing marijuana for recreational use. The state of Illinois has already legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes, but Cassidy feels the current measures aren’t enough.

“Prohibition didn’t work for alcohol, and it doesn’t work for this,” Cassidy said. “Public opinion has made it very clear how people feel.” Cassidy cited a poll from the Paul Simon Institute, released on March 27, which shows that 66% of Illinoisans are in favor of legalizing marijuana for recreational use, and 74% of Chicagoans favor the change.

Having been a Parker mother for nearly twelve years, Cassidy draws parallels between the school’s mission and her own. “I find the Parker philosophy is much like my personal philosophy,” Cassidy said. “Community engagement is so much a part of Parker that the connection is almost seamless. It’s exactly the way I want to raise my kids.”

Despite a clear future in politics, Cassidy does her best to enjoy the present, working a job which she finds highly rewarding. “I live very much in the now, and I love what I do,” Cassidy said. “I’m not that guy that’s always talking to the parrot on your shoulder, looking to get ahead. It’s just not how I operate.”

Accolades follow Cassidy wherever she goes, from the State House to her own house, from Springfield to Chicago. “She speaks her mind while being kind, funny, and beloved in her chamber,” Steans said. “She’s warm and gregarious but a fierce advocate for the things she cares about. I’m very proud to work with her.”