SPRINGFIELD - Former Department of Children and Family Services youth in care who reach the age of 18 could soon have access to search and reunion services with former foster parents or foster siblings under a measure championed by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago).

“Studies have demonstrated that keeping connection with their prior foster siblings who they grew up with is an important element of their sense of permanency,” said Feigenholtz. “Youth in care that bond with their foster siblings experience a deep sense of loss when they are adopted into another family. This legislation attempts to remedy that.”

Under Feigenholtz’s measure, a process would be established by which former foster children may get in contact with their former foster parents and former foster siblings by utilizing existing search and reunion services provided at DCFS. DCFS would be required to provide youth in care, within thirty days of their eighteenth birthday, with an explanation of available search and reunion services. 

SPRINGFIELD - A measure spearheaded by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) could reduce unnecessary paperwork and expedite receiving unclaimed property.

“Treasurer Frerichs’ efforts to return unclaimed property to rightful owners has been stellar,” said Feigenholtz. “This measure will make it even easier to cut red tape and minimizes paperwork so that smaller amounts can be redeemed more quickly.”

Under Feigenholtz’s measure, Illinoisans would be granted access to more of their unclaimed property without filing a claim. Currently, people can be granted up to $2,000 of their unclaimed money without filing a claim. Feigenholtz’s measure would raise that threshold to $5,000. 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) released the following statement regarding the governor’s budget address Wednesday afternoon:

“Today's budget address is historic in so many ways. It provides an additional $500 million to pay down future pension debt, saving $1.8 billion in interest costs through 2045 and continuing our efforts to put Illinois on a path toward greater fiscal responsibility.

“In addition, Gov. Pritzker is prioritizing public safety. Investing in our communities is vital to reducing crime and keeping our neighborhoods safe.  The budget provides increased funding for cadet classes for Illinois State Police and the technology and tools needed to do their job. In addition, the budget allocates $240 million in gun violence prevention.

SPRINGFIELD – To help patients seeking Medicaid community mental health services, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) has introduced a measure setting new guidelines to create a more user-friendly and noninvasive assessment.

“Mental health services are essential for many people in today’s society,” Feigenholtz said. “Creating an easier way for Medicaid patients to get these services will streamline the process and help patients get the services they need in a timely manner.”

Senate Bill 3438 would create the Mental Health Assessment Reform Act to set new guidelines and minimum criteria for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish for patients seeking Medicaid community mental health services.

CHICAGO – To strengthen Illinois’ tech economy, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) is sponsoring legislation that would allow consumers to buy directly from smartphone apps avoiding a 30% fee smartphone companies currently collect - directly benefiting Illinois companies. Alongside other legislators and stakeholders, Feigenholtz will announce the measure during a virtual press conference Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Senate Bill 3417, Freedom to Subscribe Directly Act, would provide smartphone app companies with the legal right to do business directly with their customers, overriding current smartphone app store policies. Current policies force customers to pay the smartphone company — Google or Apple — not the app company providing the service. Google and Apple charge as much as 30% of total revenues, extracting hundreds of millions from Illinois companies.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Youth Health and Safety Act passed the Senate Tuesday:

“The Youth Health and Safety act will modernize and improve the path for young women by protecting their personal reproductive health decisions. This measure is focused on people that are living very complex lives and often have been victims of incest, rape, sexual abuse and domestic violence.

SPRINGFIELD – Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities will have a less restrictive alternative to guardianship to support their daily living, thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) that was signed into law Friday.

“Adults with disabilities deserve the opportunity to make decisions in how they live their daily lives when possible,” Feigenholtz said. “This law helps many people with disabilities build confidence and become better self-advocates.”

SPRINGFIELD – In response to news reports that contractors for the Department of Children and Family Services sometimes resorted to shacking children during transport, a new law sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) aims to end this practice by prohibiting DCFS and its agents from using restraints.

“These news reports sent shockwaves through the child welfare community when it was discovered that transport companies contracted by DCFS employed such cruel practices,” Feigenholtz said. “DCFS youth-in-care have experienced enough trauma in their lives. After continued reports shed light on this repeated method of transport, something had to be done to stop it.”