SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) spearheaded a measure through the Senate Wednesday that would add MRSA to the list of qualifying diseases that Chicago firefighters can receive a disability benefit for if they were to get the infection on duty.

“Firefighters are exposed to toxic substances on a daily basis when responding to emergencies,” Feigenholtz said. “This measure aligns Chicago firefighters with the rest of the state’s firefighters.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) is pushing for additional funding to help struggling bars, breweries, restaurants, food trucks, venues and others.

“Local business owners continue to reach out to their legislators from around the state for help,” Feigenholtz said. “Their PPP has been spent. Many were not eligible for state grants or did not receive SBA funding. In order to save our small businesses, we must do more.”

The Build Back Better plan that stalled in Congress would have provided an additional $5 billion in relief for small businesses. In light of the federal program, Feigenholtz filed Senate Bill 4178, which would appropriate $125 million from federal funds to provide a lifeline to keep our small companies afloat.

CHICAGO –Three local museums will receive more than $2 million in grants with support from State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago).

“Museums provide a sense of community and education for people wanting to explore and celebrate a collective history,” said Feigenholtz. “This grant program is making a significant investment in our local museums that will ultimately attract more tourism and funding and bring the importance of heritage and culture back to the district.”

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) joined the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association to urge the General Assembly to pass the Hotel Jobs Recovery Program, which would allocate funds toward rehiring workers after a two year record low occupancy rate caused by the pandemic.

“Nationally and right here in Illinois, the tourism industry took the hardest hit throughout the pandemic,” said Feigenholtz. “Unlike other industries, hotels and lodging were not given federal relief and need an infusion of 250 million in order to keep larger hotels that are destinations for convention visitors afloat. Without this funding, hotels and lodging businesses could be forced to close and many jobs will be lost.”

SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) advanced a measure that will set forth a plan to restore vehicle emissions testing in the city of Chicago.

In 2016, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shut down four vehicle emissions sites in the city of Chicago. Since then, there has been demand to restore testing locations.

“The city of Chicago has a population of 2.8 million,” said Feigenholtz. “It’s time to bring back testing sites.” 

Under Feigenholtz’s measure, the Illinois EPA will report to the General Assembly by Oct. 1, 2022 on a plan to restore emissions testing locations, to include information on possible locations within Chicago, information on programs implemented in other states, and a projected date for full operation.

This initiative has support among colleagues and the Illinois Environmental Council.

“Having a plan will bring residents of Chicago one step closer to accessible testing locations,” said Feigenholtz.

Senate Bill 1234 passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the House with bipartisan support.

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.