SPRINGFIELD – The Senate Labor Committee approved a measure sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) that will allow teachers and other school employees to use paid sick leave after fostering, adopting or giving birth to a child.

"Today's Illinois families are formed and function quite differently than when these laws were originally written,” Feigenholtz said. "New parents, including LGBTQ+ couples and single parents, should have flexibility to decide how and when to use their earned time off to care for and bond with their new child.”

House Bill 816 redefines how teachers and other school employees outside of Chicago are able to use 30 working days of paid sick leave after the birth, adoption or fostering of a child at any time within the year after the child joins the family.

SPRINGFIELD – In response to several instances of shackles and other hard restraints being used during the transport of youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) is sponsoring a measure that restricts the use of restraints.

“When a kid in DCFS care is being moved, that process alone already has the potential to be traumatic,” Feigenholtz said. “Under no circumstances should we ever condone adding more trauma by restraining children. These are children, not prisoners, and they must be treated as such.”

Senate Bill 2323 ensures that the DCFS must treat youth in their care with dignity at all times. This means that no youth may be subjected to the use of restraints during transportation services provided or arranged by DCFS. The legislation also requires the department to develop individual trauma-sensitive transfer plans for children under its care.

SPRINGFIELD – With the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission set to expire on Jan. 1, 2022, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), one of two Jewish members of the Illinois Senate, is sponsoring a measure to extend the expiration by ten years.

“The Holocaust is among the most heinous events in human history,” Feigenholtz said. “Nearly a century later, not only are we seeing more and more adults and children articulate the depth of the Holocaust, we have seen increased hate crimes towards Jewish people in our country. It is extremely important that we continue educating our youth and work to find innovative ways to teach tolerance alongside the atrocities of the Holocaust.”

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to modernize marriage certificates, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) has passed legislation through the Illinois Senate allowing marriage licenses to use non-gendered language.

“Gendered language on marriage certificates is an outdated requirement,” said Feigenholtz. “Forcing someone to choose between binary terms like bride and groom may not be relevant for all couples. This new practice will reflect the full flexibility of marriage under the law.”

Senate Bill 139 allows married couples to request a new marriage certificate from the county clerk free of any gender identifying language. This includes changing terms like “bride” and “groom” to gender-neutral alternatives such as “spouse.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) issued the following statement following the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo:

“There are no words to describe witnessing a child die by violence. My heart breaks for the family of Adam Toledo and the Little Village community.

“The compounded trauma, with a years-long pandemic and unending violence, paralyzes any parent with fear, looking at their own child and thinking, ’this could have been my child.’ Adam Toledo is our child, and our system has failed him.

“Police officers need more training on how to avoid the use of deadly force while protecting innocent members of the public. The Toledo family and our communities deserve a transparent and thorough investigation of all involved.

“The family requests calm and respectful gatherings during this time of mourning. We must look at this tragic event and enact change now.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz’s (D-Chicago) plan to allow third parties to deliver spirits and wine from package stores to adult consumers was signed into law Friday.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, more consumers than ever are taking advantage of grocery delivery options because they want to enjoy their favorite products – including spirits – from the safety of home,” Feigenholtz said. “This new law streamlines the delivery process for consumers and sets clear accountability standards for vendors meeting this demand.”

Feigenholtz sponsored Senate Bill 54 so that a person living outside of Chicago can order groceries – including alcohol – for home delivery from a store in Chicago without having to worry whether or not both local governments permit the delivery.

This new law allows retailers to utilize the services of a third-party facilitator by means of the internet or a mobile app to facilitate the sale of alcohol. Third-party facilitators are required to be licensed and must comply with recordkeeping requirements.

“Small businesses are the heart and soul of our community. This law will make it easier for suburban residents to patronize our local shops and businesses safely,” Feigenholtz said.

The governor signed the measure into law Friday, and it takes effect immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) is undertaking an effort to provide affordable housing solutions around Chicago and across the state.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified an already-existing statewide housing crisis,” Feigenholtz said. “Providing landlords with incentives to offer tenants more affordable rent is a step toward addressing one of the most pressing problems we are facing in Illinois.”

Senate Bill 330 provides the opportunity for rehabilitated or newly constructed rental property to receive a reduction in its assessed value in order to help lower property taxes. To qualify, a property owner must make a commitment that at least 15% of units will be offered at or below maximum rents and occupied by families at or below maximum income limits for a period of 10 years. The amount of reduction in assessed value will depend on the percentage of units offering low rents.

The Feigenholtz measure has a wide variety of supporters, including the City of Chicago, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, Housing Action Illinois, Preservation Compact, the Corporation for Supportive Housing and the Resurrection Project. Last week, several Chicago Alderpersons sent a jointly-authored letter to Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) urging quick passage of the legislation, which would allow them to advance their affordable housing agenda in the city council.

“The Chicago City Council is waiting for the General Assembly to act on this measure, which will enable them to offer incentives and create and preserve affordable housing,” Feigenholtz said. “This measure will give real estate developers and landlords another tool in their repertoire to provide lower rents to the people in our city and across our state who need it the most.”

Feigenholtz first began working on this issue in 2018 while still a member of the House of Representatives. It passed through the Senate Revenue Committee with unanimous support on Wednesday and will be sent to the full Senate for further consideration.

CHICAGO – At a press conference Thursday, Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled an update to Phase 4 mitigations and capacity limits, known as the Bridge to Phase 5. State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), who has been a strong advocate for developing a safe, gradual reopening plan for the state, praised the announcement as a step in the right direction for the hospitality industry.

“Today’s announcement from Gov. Pritzker shows a true commitment to bringing jobs and revenue back to Illinois and to putting our state back on the road to recovery,” Feigenholtz said. “Hotels and other indoor venues have been closed for nearly a year, resulting in devastating losses to jobs, business and revenue. Now there is some light at the end of the tunnel for an industry that is the state’s second largest source of jobs.”

Feigenholtz chairs the Senate Tourism & Hospitality Committee. The committee has held several hearings featuring testimony from industry leaders, and Feigenholtz credits those hearings for having an impact on the governor’s newly announced plan.

“Planning and discussing a path forward is the only hope we have to bring jobs back and keep the tourism and hospitality industry alive,” Feigenholtz said. “I am confident that further details about capacity in hotels and conventions will be emerging soon. The hospitality industry desperately needs to get back on its feet.”

Last week, Feigenholtz penned an op-ed encouraging the governor to reopen venues. In the Bridge to Phase 5 plan, indoor venues can operate at 60% capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is fewer. In addition, individuals with proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from within the previous 3 days will not count against capacity.