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Dear Neighbor:

The agenda for the final weeks of spring session scheduled to adjourn on May 31 is packed with major and outstanding issues soon to be resolved. A number of bills are awaiting full consideration in both chambers and we expect movement on high-profile issues including marriage equality, pension reform, fracking regulation or a moratorium, concealed carry, and last but certainly not least, balancing the state budget. I will continue to keep you updated with important news as the legislative session comes to a close.

There have been developments on all of those issues. Just yesterday, the Senate passed the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, sending it to the governor for final approval. This is a big step toward ensuring choice for patients who have exhausted alternate methods of pain control, and only one of a number of topics seeing movement.

These important issues happen daily. Like us on our Facebook and Twitter pages where you can get real-time updates, and please feel free to contact me or a member of my staff if we can ever be of assistance to you. You can reach my constituent services office at (773) 296-4141 or [email protected].

Very truly yours,

Sara Feigenholtz
State Representative
12th District

  • In the News
  • Legislative Updates
  • Phone Bill Clinic
  • Women's Health & Resource Fair
  • CountyCare & Affordable Health Care
  • Community Events

  • Legislative Updates



    Pension Reform: Pension reform has taken center stage as the House considers the Senate's version of pension reform (SB 2404) and the Senate weighs the House version in SB 1. Illinois is in dire financial shape and we need to secure and stabilize our pension systems as a crucial step toward getting our fiscal house in order. Delaying reform will only lead to further cuts in education, senior services, and other critical state programs. In the next two weeks, the Senate and House will work to settle on a final bill to send to the governor's desk.

    Saving Senior Home Care Services: 85,000 seniors in Illinois are able to age in place at home and avoid premature nursing home admission care due to the home care services provided through the state's Community Care Program. Thankfully the governor signed HB 2275, a bill that I sponsored and passed into law this month. The reform measures outlined in this bill will streamline services and reduce overall costs while ensuring that seniors in Illinois can safely remain independent.

    Medical Electronic Data Sharing: With the healthcare industry developing so quickly, it is more important than ever for providers to have effective and efficient data sharing methods available. I'm sponsoring HB 1017, which helps establish data sharing protocols that will benefit patients and support their health care needs. This legislation passed out of the House last month and now faces review in the Senate. I will keep you updated as the Senate considers HB 1017.

    Medicaid Reform: A crucial piece of legislation that helps implement the Affordable Care Act in Illinois, SB 26 provides Medicaid funding for low-income childless adults. Extending Medicaid coverage to low-income adults in our community is common sense public policy that gives us a unique opportunity to expand access to care while bringing $4.6 billion in matching federal funding to Illinois. The Human Services Appropriations committee will hear the bill on Tuesday, and as the chief House sponsor I am optimistic that we will move toward extending health care coverage to 342,000 uninsured Illinoisans.


    Phone Bill Clinic

    phone clinic


    Women's Health & Resource Fair

    phone clinic


    CountyCare & Affordable Health Care

    If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible to receive no-cost health insurance through a new Illinois Medicaid program called CountyCare. Once you are a CountyCare member, you do not pay for covered services, including routine doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, laboratory and x-ray services, mammograms, transportation and many more services. In addition, you can receive mental health and substance abuse services, which traditional Illinois Medicaid does not cover. To qualify, you must:

    • Reside in Cook County
    • Be 19-64 years old
    • Make less than $15,282 for an individual and $20,628 for a couple
    • Not be eligible for Medicaid, Medicare or CHIP
    • Be a legal immigrant for five years or a U.S. Citizen
    • Have a social security number or have applied for one

    Patients who qualify choose a primary care site from a network of dozens of Cook County Health & Hospitals System (CCHHS) area providers located all over the County, including community health centers and Cook County clinics. For more information or to apply, call 312-864-8200 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To learn more about CountyCare, visit www.CountyCare.com.

    For more information on finding affordable health care in our community, download my 12th District Guide to Health Care.


    Community Events

    WOOGMS 50th Anniversary Memorial Day Parade
    Monday, May 20, 11 am
    Pine Grove and Wellington
    This parade, where everybody marches, and nobody watches, is a staple of the Lakeview community. Please join them for their 50th anniversary parade this coming Memorial Day.

    From the event flyer: "WOOGMS stands for the Wellington Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society - a neighborhood group that has parades you can march in! We're not political, just patriotic! Parades are free, less than a mile long, and for marchers of all ages. WOOGMS marchers walk, ride strollers, bikes and wheelchairs. There's no membership required. Come join us!"

    Hawthorne Neighbors, Bi-Monthly Meeting
    Tuesday, May 21, 7 pm
    Resurrection Lutheran Church's Education Building, 1050 West School
    Membership runs from November 1 to October 31 of each year and covers residents and businesses between Belmont to Addison and Clark to Racine. Individual residential memberships for Hawthorne Neighbors are $5/year. Membership for residential couples and businesses are $10/year.

    Gold Coast Neighbors, Spring Splendor
    Wednesday, May 20, 6 pm - 9 pm
    The Racquet Club, 1365 N. Dearborn
    Join the Gold Coast Neighbors for their annual Spring Splendor fundraiser with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, entertainment, and a live auction. A pre-event tour of the historic Charnley-Persky House at 1365 will be from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Tickets for this event are $100 for members and $125 for non-members and may be purchased before May 8 by visiting their website or calling (312) 332-6122.

    Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest
    Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26, 12 pm - 10 pm
    N. Sheffield between Belmont and School
    Celebrate Memorial Day weekend at the 28th annual event that holds court along a bustling strip in Lakeview with regional tribute bands, food and drink vendors, shopping opportunities and more. Gate donation benefits the Central Lakeview Merchants Association. For more information and a band lineup, visit the Chicago Special Events website

    Weiss Memorial Hospital, Dare To C.A.R.E
    Tuesday, May 28, 5:30 pm
    Weiss Memorial Hospital, 4646 N. Marine, Conference Room 6A
    Weiss Memorial is holding informational sessions on vascular conditions. Make an appointment for a free vascular screening at the end of the lecture. To register, please call (800) 503-1234.


    In the News







    phone: (773) 296-4141