CHICAGO — State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is celebrating news that Illinois welcomed a record 113 million visitors in 2024, exceeding the previous record and bringing an increase in visitor spending, tax revenue and hospitality jobs.

“Visitors and locals alike know that Illinois is the best place to be, and the ‘Middle of Everything’ campaign has tremendously helped us get the word out far and wide,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Illinois’ record-breaking tourism numbers are evidence of our commitment to promoting our great state to visitors while supporting our tourism industry.”

In 2024, visitor spending directly generated $4.7 billion in state and local tax revenue, according to Tourism Economics. This boost in revenue has stimulated various sectors of the state’s economy while directly supporting 282,165 jobs in the state’s tourism and hospitality industry, an increase of 3,965 jobs from 2023. The city of Chicago saw an impressive 7.7% rise in overnight visitors, further highlighting the state’s appeal as a premier destination for domestic tourists.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Sara Feigenholtz championed a newly signed law strengthening Illinois’ efforts to address the teacher shortage by removing unnecessary hurdles that drive people away from becoming an educator.

“For years, parents and teachers in my district have been feeling the crunch of the teacher shortage,” Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) said. “As we continue to equip our teachers with resources and support, we need to make sure they don’t face setbacks because of family or medical obligations.”

The law, originally Senate Bill 1584, comes in response to a local resident who took family and medical leave during her pregnancy when she was licensed under short-term approval. For many educators, including Feigenholtz’s constituent, short-term approval in a new subject area is a path to becoming a more versatile teacher who can teach more classes — but it typically only lasts three years.

SPRINGFIELD — Despite the decade that’s passed since marriage equality became the law of the land in all 50 U.S. states, the LGBTQ+ community still faces persistent discrimination in housing and barriers to homeownership. Recognizing the need for change, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz championed legislation that updates Illinois’ property laws with gender-neutral language.

“For years we have methodically chipped away at outdated, stereotyped and outright exclusionary language in our state’s laws,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Today we take another step to strengthen our property laws — sending the message that no matter who you love, your gender identity or expression, you are welcome to build your home, family and life here in Illinois.”

Currently, Illinois law only references property transfers between a husband and wife, leading to lengthy delays in real estate transactions for same-sex couples and transgender individuals. Feigenholtz’s new law addresses this barrier 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.

SPRINGFIELD — To help Illinois and Chicago collaborate more effectively on key pedestrian safety initiatives, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz championed a plan laying out guidelines for what they must study to make streets safer.

“These guidelines will streamline cooperation, cut red tape and help the Illinois Department of Transportation take concrete steps to study ways we can prevent further tragedies,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Enhanced collaboration will give us a clearer picture of how best to improve street safety in our city and across Illinois.”

In January 2023, IDOT and the Chicago Department of Transportation entered into a Memorandum of Understanding agreement in an effort to strengthen their collaboration and streamline the review process for safety improvements on local streets and state routes. The MOU was in part sparked by a request from Feigenholtz that the departments conduct a traffic study after a pedestrian was killed in the 6th Senate District.

CHICAGO — To expand mental health screenings for Illinois’ children and tackle the staggering rise of these challenges in our youth — including increased rates of sadness, hopelessness and difficulty with schoolwork — State Senator Sara Feigenholtz led Senate Bill 1560, a new law that improves access to early detection, diagnosis and treatment among students in grades 3-12.

“This phase of the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative is the boldest step to date,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Universal mental health screenings in schools help with early identification, and if a child requires services, the BEACON portal is there to assist in accessing comprehensive support and behavioral health services.”

Feigenholtz has worked alongside members of the Illinois Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative, led by Dr. Dana Weiner, since 2022. Feigenholtz sponsored and passed the Interagency Children’s Behavioral Health Services Act in 2023, paving the way for the new BEACON portal, a centralized online platform for Illinois children and families seeking mental health services. Through BEACON, youth and caregivers can find services they qualify for, manage health records securely, receive real-time updates, and request additional case support.

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.

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.

SPRINGFIELD — Third-party restaurant ‘booking’ services have cropped up in foodie destinations recently, including Chicago. Scooping up restaurant reservations and reselling them on an auction-style platform with the promise of exclusivity is a new trick. In response, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is leading a bill aiming to protect Illinoisans from these price-gouging tactics. 

“Restaurants operate on the slimmest of margins to keep prices competitive and attract customers,” Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) said. “When bad actors try to turn a profit using a restaurant’s name and likeness without consent, owners are left scrambling with no-shows, eroding trust in the culinary industry.”