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Dear Neighbor:
I appreciate you taking time to read my
e-letter. During these challenging financial
times there are a lot of difficult decisions
ahead and I look to your opinions and
thoughts as we approach the final six weeks
of the legislative session.
Spring is certain to be an exciting time in
Chicago so check out the list of local events
in or community that might be of
interest to you in the coming weeks.
The Springfield Front...
There has been a great deal of movement in
Springfield on a number of important issues,
including the passage of a "mini" capital
bill that has been signed by the Governor.
The Illinois General Assembly will reconvene
next Tuesday, April 21, and I am eager to
hear your thoughts before heading back to
Session.
Enjoy the warm(er) weather!
Very
Truly Yours,
Sara
Feigenholtz
State Representative
12th
District
| Capital Bill & Legislative Update |
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Before the General Assembly adjourned for the
Spring Break, we passed a $3 billion "mini"
capital-funding bill aimed at creating jobs,
improving our transportation infrastructure,
investing in renewable energy and putting the
state's share of federal stimulus dollars to
work. This is the first capital bill for
Illinois in nearly a decade.
In addressing the worst economic crisis in
generations, this package is a major step
forward for aiding our economic recovery and
also helping to eliminate the backlog of
unpaid bills to health care providers.
As budget chair of the Health and Human
Services committee in the House, I am pleased
that we are finally taking the important
steps necessary to reduce our Medicaid
payment cycle from the current 90+ days to 30
days, which is necessary to ensure that
Illinois can receive enhanced federal
matching funds.
The capital bill also pours millions into our
statewide mass transit system, including the
CTA, Metra and Pace. It calls for
roughly $600 million in "shovel-ready" road
projects (paid for by federal stimulus money)
such as resurfacing and repaving. This will
create an estimated 80,000 jobs and projects
can begin by the end of the month, according
to Illinois transportation chief Gary Hannig.
Clearly, passage of this bill is just the
first in a series of steps to economic
recovery. When I return to Springfield next
week, my first priority will be to get started
on a broader capital construction program to
improve our infrastructure, increase
efficiency and create long-term job
opportunities for the residents of Illinois.
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| REMINDER! Capital Hearing Tonight, April 16 |
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Thursday, April 16
6:00pm
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center,
Olson Auditorium
836 W. Wellington Avenue
Tonight, I am hosting a capital
hearing at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical
Center with my House colleagues, State
Representatives John D'Amico, John Fritchey,
Greg Harris, Lou Lang, Joe Lyons, Deborah
Mell and Harry Osterman.
We will be joined by labor, business and
community leaders and neighbors to discuss
the future of capital construction programs
in Illinois and in our region and how we can
strengthen our regional economy and put
people back to work.
This forum is open to the public. I
encourage you to join us tonight and
come with questions and your ideas. For more
information, call (773) 348-3434.
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| Survey on Extending this Year's Chicago Pride Fest |
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Each June, the Northalsted Area Merchants
Association (NAMA) has sponsored Chicago
Pride Fest, one of the city's most colorful
traditions. Chicago Pride Fest attracts
people of all ages and backgrounds to the
neighborhood to celebrate Chicago's vibrant GLBT
community.
As NAMA prepares for the 2009 Chicago Pride
Fest, they are considering adding a second day
(Friday from 3pm to 10pm) to this year's
activities. This has happened in major urban
centers across America that celebrate similar
festivals.
Working in conjunction with Belmont Harbor
Neighbors (BHN), East Lake View Neighbors
(ELVN), and Triangle Neighbors (TNA), NAMA is
seeking input from residents. Please take a
moment to complete
this
survey so you can give the Lake View
Citizens' Council, NAMA and the Aldermen your
feedback to help guide plans for this year's
Chicago Pride Fest.
Your responses will remain anonymous, so feel
free to answer candidly.
Take
this survey
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| Chicago's TXT2TIP Program - Help Fight Crime Anonymously |
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The City of Chicago and the Chicago Police
Department have created an innovative way for
residents to ANONYMOUSLY and SAFELY report
criminal activities within our communities by
using text messages.
If you hear or witness suspicious activity,
do your part!
1. Create a new text message or SMS
text on your cellular phone.
2. Enter the number 274637 ("CRIMES")
in the "To" line.
3. In the message box, type the word
"CPD," a space, and then your crime tip
information.
4. When finished, hit "Send."
You will automatically receive a
system-generated message back on your cell
phone acknowledging your tip. Your identity
will not be sent to the Chicago Police
Department. Cash rewards up to $1,000. For
more information on the TXT2TIP Program,
click here.
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| Take Your Household Hazardous Waste to a Safer Place |
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Saturday, April 18
9:00am - 3:00pm
U.S. Cellular Field (Comiskey)
333 W. 35th Street
(Parking Lot A)
Chicago, IL
Saturday, May 9
9:00am - 3:00pm
DeVry University
3401 N. Rockwell Avenue
(North Student Parking Lot)
Chicago, IL
Dispose of your household hazardous waste and
exchange them for environmental resources at
these free City of Chicago events. Leftover
household products that contain corrosive,
toxic or reactive ingredients require special
care when disposing because they can pose a
threat to our health and environment. Rather
than throwing them away or pouring them down
the drain, bring them to one of the City's
free collection days.
Drop off old or unused prescriptions
and non-prescription medications,
electronics, household chemicals or oil-based
paints, old gas cans and/or gas-powered lawn
mowers.
Pick up environmental resources for
FREE or at a discounted rate, including FREE
light bulbs. For more
information, click here or visit the City of Chicago's Department
of Environment.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS! |
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2nd Annual Health and Beauty Senior
Springfest
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
8:30am - 1:00pm
Weiss Memorial Hospital, Auditorium Foyer
(Ground Floor - A Elevators)
4646 N. Marine Drive
Chicago, IL
Don't miss this FREE, fun-filled morning
program for active seniors focused on beauty,
health and quality of life. Enjoy a light
breakfast, hear from expert physicians and
hospital speakers, and participate in
"Laughter Yoga." To register for this FREE
PROGRAM, call (800) 503-1234 by Friday, April
24.
Presented by Weiss Memorial Hospital and Home
Instead Senior Care. Beauty services courtesy
of Truman College. Complimentary breakfast
provide by Care Collaborative.
Joint Revision Surgery: When do I need
it?
Thursday, April 30
11:00am - 12:00pm (lunch served at
noon)
Weiss Memorial Hospital, Lower Level
Auditorium
4646 N. Marine Drive
Chicago, IL
Attend this FREE public education seminar
hosted by Weiss Memorial Hospital in
conjunction with the Arthritis Foundation.
Hear from doctors from Weiss Memorial and the
University of Chicago's Bone & Joint
Center.
Pre-registration is required. To register
visit www.arthritis.org,
keyword "Chicago,"
and click on "Public Education Seminars."
10 Things a Board Must Know - PROGRAM
for homeowner associations
Wednesday, May 6
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Offices of Smith Amundsen
150 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL
The Association of Condominium, Townhouse and
Homeowners Associations (ACTHA) will host an
educational program on "10 Things a Board
Must Know." This program is designed for all
condo, townhome and homeowner associations
and in particular for those who serve on the
board of directors.
Stepfon Smith, an attorney with Smith
Amundsen and Sam Ekstein, a property manager
with Ekstein Asset Management are the
presenters. Time will be provided at the end
of the presentation for general questions and
answers.
ACTHA is a statewide
not-for-profit organization whose mission is
to provide information and education to board
members and owners. The program is free to
ACTHA members or $20 per person. Since space
is limited, attendees should call to reserve
space. For more information or to reserve a
space, call (312) 987-1906 or email ACTHA at
actha@actha.org
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The Paulina Brown Line station reopened to
customers on Friday, April 3, 2009. The
station was temporarily closed for
construction for one year as part of the
capacity expansion project on the Brown
Line.
Please note that the Wellington
station remains closed for renovations and
upgrades. For alternative transportation
options and the latest
updates, please visit www.ctabrownline.com
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