ISDC

Details: Friday, May 09, 2025 03:31 PM

SPRINGFIELD — Continuing her efforts to protect the dignity and rights of LGBTQ+ Illinoisans, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz advanced legislation this week to update Illinois’ property laws with gender-neutral language.

“I’m proud of what Illinois has done to support the LGBTQ+ community, from updating our marriage laws with gender-neutral language to easing barriers to name changes,” Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) said. “House Bill 1083 continues this critical work of ensuring Illinois’ laws give people the freedom to live as their true, authentic selves.”

Current law only references property transfers between a husband and wife, which has led to lengthy delays in real estate transactions for same-sex couples and transgender individuals in Illinois. Feigenholtz’s proposal addresses this problem by revising state law to refer to married couples with gender-neutral language, giving clarity to title companies and ensuring same-sex couples do not face barriers to acquiring or transferring property.

Feigenholtz: We can rebuild our city’s vibrant, thriving downtown economy

Details: Friday, May 09, 2025 01:43 PM

SPRINGFIELD — Like large urban centers throughout the country, downtown Chicago faces critical challenges coming out of the pandemic as people make different decisions about how and where they live, work, dine and play — something State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is working to change.

“With hybrid workforces, evolving consumer habits and low office occupancy rates across the central business district, Chicago is in need of a united revitalization effort,” Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) said. “By carefully examining what other cities have done to bounce back from post-pandemic challenges, we can creatively and sustainably rebuild our vibrant, thriving downtown economy.”

Feigenholtz is working to create the Chicago Downtown Revitalization Task Force. The task force would study factors impacting long-term growth in Chicago’s central business district and recommend innovative policies to enhance economic activity, attract travelers and investments, and increase the overall vitality of the city’s central business district.

Villa resolution declares Quinceañera Day in Illinois

Details: Friday, May 09, 2025 01:22 PM

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa successfully led a resolution through the Senate to declare May 8, 2025 as Quinceañera Day in Illinois, celebrating the Latin American tradition while highlighting the 15th anniversary of Latino Unity Day.

“A quinceañera is a tradition centered in community, bringing together every person who has contributed to the upbringing of a young girl,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “It is a reflection of our culture, which understands that substantial change takes a village, whether it is in raising a family or uplifting our community.”

Senate Resolution 248 was adopted in honor of the 15^th anniversary of Latino Unity Day – the largest day of advocacy in Springfield for the Latino community in Illinois. Quinceañera, derived from the Spanish word “quince,” meaning fifteen, is a celebration for a girl’s 15^th birthday that incorporates indigenous and catholic traditions. The purpose of a quinceañera is to mark a young girl’s transition into adulthood.

Morrison commends Illinois’ commitment to privacy of autism-related data

Details: Friday, May 09, 2025 11:51 AM

morrison 050925 SPRINGFIELD — In response to the federal administration’s plan to collect private medical information, Governor JB Pritzker issued an executive order to restrict autism-related data collection and sharing.

State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest), who has served as co-chair of the bipartisan and bicameral Disability and Accessibly Caucus, commended the state’s response, releasing the following statement:

“The federal administration has depicted individuals with autism as those who do not lead fulfilling lives or contribute to their communities, and that can’t be further from the truth. Tracking individuals with autism — what Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy has declared ‘a tragedy’ and ‘an epidemic’ — will reduce them to a data point without clarity on how this information will be used.

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