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Dear Neighbor:

Happy New Year!

In addition to resolutions and snow, the new year brings with it over 200 new state laws. I have outlined some of the laws that may affect or be of interest to members of our community. If you have questions on other laws or pieces of legislation, please contact my office.

Although we enjoyed a nice warm spell in Chicago, the temperatures and snow have finally dropped and now is a good time to review winter weather preparedness measures. Information on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), city warming centers, well-being checks, parking restrictions and other inclement weather information can be accessed on my website.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can ever be of assistance to you and your neighbors.

I wish you the best for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012!

Very truly yours,

Sara Feigenholtz
State Representative
12th District

  • New State Laws
  • Coffee and Conversation
  • Satellite Office Hours
  • Holiday Recycling
  • Jobs75
  • Community Events

  • New State Laws

    Backseat Seat Belts: House Bill 219 requires all passengers in a vehicle (instead of just front seat passengers) to wear a seat belt. Backseat taxicab passengers are exempt.

    Lost Pet Microchipping: Senate Bill 1637 requires animal shelters to scan lost pets for identification microchips that can help return pets to their owners. Shelters must scan within 24 hours of receiving a pet and again before the pet is adopted.

    Electronics Recycling: To help keep hazardous material out of landfills, Senate Bill 2106 requires many types of electronic equipment to be recycled including televisions, computers, and video game consoles. Illegally throwing these items away could result in a $25 fine. You can recycle your used electronic equipment at Recycle Tech Solutions (3639 North Broadway or 2000 West Division) or at the City of Chicago's Recycling Center (1150 North Branch). If you have trouble getting to these locations, please contact my office for assistance.

    Lock Changes on Rental Units: House Bill 1233 requires Cook County landlords to change a unit's locks in between tenants.

    Nursing Home Infection Control: I introduced House Bill 1096 to improve nursing home safety regulations by requiring each facility to develop policies to control the spread of infection and communicable diseases. Facilities must designate at least one staff member to be responsible for the implementation of these policies.

    Bicycle and Motorcycle Red Lights: House Bill 2860 allows bicyclists and motorcyclists to pass through a red light in a clear intersection after waiting two minutes for the light to turn green.

    Caustic Substances: House Bill 2193 makes it more difficult to obtain the harmful chemicals used in violent "acid attacks." Individuals purchasing certain caustic or corrosive chemicals will be asked to show identification and enter their name into a registry.

    Gun Ownership Restrictions: House Bill 3365 prohibits any person convicted of domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery or violation of an order of protection from legally obtaining firearms.

    Synthetic Cannabis: House Bill 2595 closes loopholes that allow synthetic cannabis drug manufacturers to circumvent existing bans.

    School Bullying: House Bill 3281 allows schools to discipline (including suspend or expel) students who bully or harass another student on the internet.

    Math and Reading Education: House Bill 139 requires students performing below grade level in math or reading for two or more consecutive years to enroll a summer school class with an emphasis in these subjects.

    Insurance Recoupment: Currently, there is no time limit on insurance companies deciding that a patient was ineligible for the benefits for services provided and can recoup the payment at any time. This can often happen months or even years after the services were rendered leaving providers, doctors and patients with the cost years after the fact. House Bill 1193 prevents insurance companies from recouping more than 18 months after the original payment was made.

    Cancer Drug Parity: House Bill 1825 requires insurance companies to provide the same coverage for oral cancer medications as they would for traditional cancer medications, ensuring that all individuals can access the best treatment for their needs.

    Murderer Database: House Bill 263 creates the Statewide First Degree Murderer Database for individuals convicted of first-degree murder. Individuals must be registered with the database for 10 years after being released from prison. The database will be accessible through the Illinois State Police.

    Financial Exploitation of the Elderly: House Bill 1689 stiffens penalties for financially exploiting a person over the age of 60. For example, under current law the exploitation of an individual over the age of 60 is a Class 1 felony (punishable by 4 to 15 years of jail time and up to a $25,000 fine) if the property is worth $100,000 or more. Under the new law, exploitation of a person over the age of 60 is a Class 1 felony if the property is worth $50,000 or more.


    Coffee and Conversation

    coffee and conversation


    Satellite Office Hours

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    Holiday Recycling

    The city is again offering free Christmas tree recycling for your used live tree. Until January 20 you can drop your tree off at the parking lot at Cannon Drive and Fullerton Parkway in Lincoln Park or any of the city's other drop-off locations. Starting on January 13 a limited amount of mulch will be available for resident pick-up.


    Jobs75

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    Community Events

    Buena Park Neighbors, Litter Patrol
    Saturday, January 14
    10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    Meet at the parking lot of KFC, Buena and Broadway

    Come join your neighbors as we pick up litter. We will meet at the KFC parking lot and then spread out throughout the neighborhood. We have broken Buena Park into four quadrants and we will be sending out teams. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded neighbors and help the community. Gloves and garbage bags will be provided.


    Mid-North Association, Monthly Meeting
    Monday, January 16
    6:00 p.m.
    St. Paul's Church, 2235 North Orchard

    The Mid-North Association is bounded by Lincoln Park, Fullerton, Lincoln and the Ogden Right-of-Way. Meetings are held monthly on the third Monday of the month.


    Buena Park Neighbors, General Meeting
    Monday, January 16
    7:00 p.m.
    Thorek Memorial Hospital, 850 West Irving Park, 5th floor

    Alderman James Cappleman and Cook County Commission Bridget Gainer will be speaking. In addition, there will updates on proposed events and development plans for the vacant lots at Sheridan and Irving Park roads. Buena Park Neighbors' boundaries are Montrose to Irving Park, Kenmore to Lake Michigan.


    Hawthorne Neighbors, Monthly Meeting
    Tuesday, January 17
    7:00 p.m.
    Resurrection Lutheran Church, 1050 West School

    Hawthorne Neighbors covers residents and businesses between Belmont to Addison and Clark to Racine. Hawthorne Neighbors goals are to provide a forum for neighbors to discuss quality of life issues, to provide our neighbors with information that impact their lives as residents, and to offer our voice to the Alderman's office on licensing, zoning and other issues in our area.


    Weiss Memorial Hospital, "Understanding Medicare Part A" Seminar
    Tuesday, January 24
    1:00 p.m.
    Weiss Memorial Hospital, 4646 North Marine, Conference Room 4A (4th Floor)

    Join Weiss Memorial Hospital for an educational lecture on Medicare Part A. You will learn about the benefits, eligibility requirements, and more. Register for this event by calling (800) 503-1234.


    Community Meeting Regarding 3030 North Broadway
    Thursday, January 26
    6:30 p.m.
    Mt. Carmel Church, 708 West Belmont, Casey Hall

    Hear from the developers of the property at 3030 North Broadway as they present their proposal for a new Mariano's supermarket and residences. Contact Alderman Tunney's office at (773) 525-6034 with questions or for more information.


    Buena Park Neighbors, January Jam Fundraiser
    Saturday, January 28
    6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
    Nick's Uptown, 4015-17 North Sheridan

    Buena Park Neighbors invites you to join them for this winter fundraiser. For a $25 donation you will enjoy free beer, pizza, pool, shuffleboard, and musical entertainment by the band Jin and Tonic. Proceeds fund Buena Park Neighbors' events and programs.


    Lake View East Chamber of Commerce, Annual Meeting
    Monday, January 30
    6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
    Rocks, 3463 North Broadway

    Save the date for the Lake View East Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting featuring guest speaker Alderman James Cappleman. The 2012 Board of Directors will also be introduced. Visit the LVECC website for further information as it becomes available.


    Weiss Memorial Hospital, DARE to C.A.R.E.
    Tuesday, January 31
    5:30 p.m.
    Weiss Memorial Hospital, 4646 North Marine, Conference Room 6A (6th floor, A elevators)

    Would you like more information on carotid artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms, renal artery stenosis, or extremity artery stenosis? Join Weiss Memorial Hospital for a special information session to learn about these vascular conditions. If needed, you can make a vascular screening appointment at the end of the lecture. The program should only be taken once a year. To register for this event, call (800) 503-1234.



    Examiner.com
    December 20, 2011
    Rep. Sara Feigenholtz seeks Illinois budget predictability for state vendors

    Press Release
    December 20, 2011
    Feigenholtz Reminds Residents to Take Advantage of Home Heating Assistance

    Chicago Pride
    December 21, 2011
    Cardinal Francis George equates gay liberation movement to KKK

    Chicago Pride
    December 24, 2011
    Equality Illinois calls for apology from Chicago Cardinal Francis George

    New York Times
    December 24, 2011
    Ripple Effects of Center Closings Will Continue for Many Years

    Chicago News Cooperative
    December 30, 2011
    Failed Adoptions Lead to More Homeless Youths

    Lakeview Newspaper
    January 2012
    Rep. Feigenholtz Encourages Residents to Exchange ldeas at Upcoming "Coffee and Conversation"

    Lakeview Newspaper
    January 2012
    Feigenholtz Reminds Residents to Take Advantage of Home Heating Assistance

    Video
    January 5, 2012
    Rep. Sara Feigenholtz Seeks to Boost Small Business in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Near North

    Chicago Phoenix
    January 5, 2012
    Feigenholtz meets with 12th District residents

    Press Release
    January 9, 2012
    Feigenholtz Encourages College-Bound Students to Apply Early for Financial Aid

    Press Release
    January 9, 2012
    Windy City Media - Illinois legislators meeting on marriage equality



    phone: (773) 296-4141