Dear Neighbor,

As I am sure you have heard, the General Assembly will remain in continuous session for the summer trying to find a solution to the FY2016 Budget.  

Please know I am very appreciative of the calls, emails, and letters I receive every day from concerned constituents in my district about the budget. I listen closely to your opinion and weigh these issues carefully. The people of the 12th District have made it clear during my conversations with them that they refuse to accept more cuts to senior home care programs, more cuts to wards of the state who are 18-21, or more cuts to child care.

Middle-class families across Illinois are counting on the Legislature to pass a spending plan that protects vital services. That is why I can not support cuts to schools, cuts that will jeopardize public safety, and cuts to services for children with developmental disabilities.

The General Assembly passed a budget that includes a moderate 2.25% reduction in spending. We rejected Governor Rauner's proposed cuts, which would have eliminated many programs that help the most vulnerable Illinoisans. You can click here to compare the governor's proposed FY2016 Budget to the General Assembly's budget.

A workable solution to the state's budget problems should involve a mix of moderate cuts in spending and a moderate increase in revenues. Even the conservative-leaning Civic Federation rejected the governor's proposed FY16 Budget as "unachievable" and has recommended that we broaden our revenue base by "increasing income tax rates in FY16" and "expanding the sales tax base" to better reflect our service-based economy. Click here to see the Civic Federation's proposal. 

I will continue to keep you updated with important news as budget debates continue. To get additional real-time updates, you can follow our office on Facebook and Twitter. Also, you can tune in to live audio and video of floor debates and committee hearings at ILGA.gov. 

As always, please contact me or a member of my staff if we can assist you with state issues or programs. You can reach me at my district office at 773-296-4141, email me at sara@staterepsara.com, or visit my website at www.staterepsara.com.

Very truly yours,

Sara Feigenholtz

State Representative

12th District

While the budget debate has been a main focus in Springfield, Representative Feigenholtz passed legislation that was a result of 12th District constituents' inquiries and requests. Below is a brief description of some of those pieces of legislation. 

SB 125 - Humane Care for Animals Act