I believe strongly in centering the voices of stakeholders in crafting policy and often use the phrase “nothing for us without us” to reflect my belief that the best policies are crafted by those most directly impacted. My areas of legislative focus include criminal justice, reproductive justice and health care protections, and ensuring our laws secure equality for those too often neglected and ignored by our government.
~Representative Kelly Cassidy
"Nothing about us without us."
Legislation
104th General Assembly
2025
HB3352
Crime Victims Rights
This bill provides that crime victims have the right to be treated with fairness and respect during the investigatory process, including the right to be free from deception and free from the knowing communication of false facts about evidence during interviews and conversations with law enforcement.
HB3710
SB108
Crim Pro-Assessment Fees
This bill makes permanent the very successful program in the Cook County Court system that allows judges the discretion to waive assessments or fees against criminal defendants. This bill recognizes that fees and fines against indigent defendants can represent an impossible to overcome barrier to completing a sentence and successful reentry.
SB1602
Sexual Assault Treatment
This bill provides a comprehensive package of improvements on guidance to health care providers to ensure policies center the needs of survivors in all decisions, including guidance for so-called transfer hospitals that comply with the law by partnering with a treatment hospital with the resources to handle the complex cases. This stems from a case where a survivor was told to travel 70 miles one way to receive care when there were indeed closer options.
SB2500
Mobile Mental Health Providers
This bill follows up on discussions on implementation of the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act (CESSA), making adjustments to allow for practical implementation of mental health first response protocols in areas with diverse needs and resources across the state.