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Dear Neighbor:
May has been a busy month in Springfield but
the legislature's work is far from over. When
we reconvene next week to finalize the 2011
budget I will be advocating for crucial
budgetary reform measures as outlined in this
e-letter.
Throughout this process, it is important to
remember that Illinois is not the only state
facing a dire financial situation, nor is
there one single solution to all of our
problems. With the cooperation of all
legislators and a willingness to make the
tough decisions, it is still possible to develop
a reasonable budget that maximizes each revenue
dollar brought in.
I have included several
significant pieces of legislation that may be
of interest to you. I will continue to keep
you updated on the budget and other
legislative matters as session comes to an
end. If you have any questions until
then, please feel free to call or email
me.
Very Truly Yours,
Sara Feigenholtz
State Representative, 12th District
Property Tax Relief |
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Senate
Bill 3638, which passed both Houses,
provides property tax relief by extending the
Cook County 7% property tax cap for 3
additional years. Exemption amounts cannot
exceed $20,000 in the first year; $16,000 in
the second year; and $12,000 in the third
year. The bill also streamlines the Senior
Citizens Homestead Exemption application
process by eliminating variances between
counties. The Returning Veterans' Homestead
Exemption is expanded to include the year
after a veteran returns to the state
(currently only the year of return). The
service-related disability for disabled
veterans has been reduced to 70% (currently
75%); at this level, veterans will be able to
receive a
$5,000 property tax exemption.
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McPier Convention Tourism |
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In order to attract more conventions and
tourism dollars to Illinois, serious reforms
are needed; these reforms are embodied in Senate
Bill 28, which passed both Houses.
This legislation will alleviate some of the
hassle and excessive costs for conventions at
a time when dozens are
threatening to leave Chicago in favor of
cities with more hospitable convention
environments. This bill is paramount in
resurrecting Chicago's convention industry.
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Nursing Home Reform |
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Sweeping nursing home reform legislation
brought desperately needed changes to
increase staff-to-patient ratios and change
the screening and admissions process. When
our elders need long-term care we want to
make sure they are in the safest environments
with the gold
standard of care. Senate
Bill 326 incorporates many of the
recommendations made by the Nursing Home
Reform Task Force and received near-unanimous
support from the General Assembly.
Additional highlights:
- Enhances the background check and
screening process to identify individuals
that may place themselves or others at risk
in a nursing home setting.
- Allows for the development of a
transition program to transition individuals
who are capable of independent living out of
nursing homes and into community care.
- Requires nursing homes to obtain a
psychiatric rehabilitation certificate of
compliance if admitting individuals with a
serious mental illness or a behavioral
management unit certificate of compliance if
admitting residents determined to pose a risk
to others.
- Increases fines and penalties for nursing
home violations.
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State Budget |
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Senate
Bill 3660 and Senate
Bill 1211 are the bulk of the
Governor's proposed emergency budget package
and include the following provisions:
- Requires legislators and agency directors
to take 12 unpaid furlough days.
- Provides that the state sells half of its
rights of the tobacco settlement, providing
$1.2 billion in cash flows.
- Makes a 5% across-the-board cut in
operational expenses.
- Gives the Governor discretionary
rulemaking authority with regards to
spending.
- Would create a 'pension holiday'
exempting the state from pension payments for
the first six months of the fiscal year.
As it stands, this proposed budget lacks the
reform and detailed line item stipulations
needed to move the state beyond this fiscal
crisis. When the House meets to finalize the
budget, I am advocating for the following
reforms:
- Cuts to nonessential services,
including an emergency review of contractual
services.
- Enacting cost sharing measures with
current and retired state employees.
- Reforms and cuts in Medicaid without
jeopardizing federal American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act funds.
- A slight tax to retirement income for
high-income individuals only. For more
information on Illinois' antiquated tax
system and more about retirement income
taxing please click here.
- Full implementation of Senate
Bill 3622
and the Budget Transparency Act, which will
ensure that taxpayers can easily and quickly
access appropriations bills through the
General Assembly website prior to any
legislative action.
Last year, I disagreed
with the excessive borrowing of pension funds
to pay for state services and the lack of an
accompanying revenue source, transferring
unprecedented amounts of budgetary power to
the Governor and lump sum budgets. This
year, we are facing a grimmer situation that
leaves us with two options: borrowing funds
or deferring payments - including allowing
the state to take a pension
holiday. Considering the state of the
pension systems, taking a pension holiday now
is one of the most inefficient tactics to
emerge from this crisis and will only lead to
further problems down the road.
With the cooperation of legislators a
well-crafted budget is still possible and I
look forward to debating these issues and
collaborating with my colleagues to find the
best solution for Illinois citizens.
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Community Events |
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Living
Green in Lincoln Park
Sunday, May 16, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.,
Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon
Dr.
This Sunday, I will be attending the Living
Green in Lincoln Park community-wide forum.
This free event will highlight some of the
newest resources for going green, local
vendors and a tour of a green home in Lincoln
Park. A panel of green experts will be on
hand to provide tips on sustainability, give
advice for saving money through environmental
consciousness, and help you to design and
detoxify your home. I'm very excited to be a
part of this event and learn how to make my
own life greener!
Buena
Park Neighbors Clean & Green
Saturday, May 22, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.,
meet at Dollop Coffee, 4181 N. Clarendon
Join the Buena Park Neighbors in helping to
clean up and beautify the neighborhood.
Volunteers of all ages are needed and are
encouraged to bring work gloves - all other
supplies will be provided. To register or get
more information, email
bpnblockcaptains@hotmail.com.
26th
Annual Belmont-Sheffield Music
Festival
Saturday, May 29, 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. and
Sunday, May 30, 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.,
Sheffield Ave. from Belmont to School
This year's Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival
features local and national entertainment
acts as well as a collection of arts, crafts
and displays from local merchants and
artists. All proceeds from the festival will
benefit the Central Lakeview Merchants
Association.
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