JUNE 2015

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

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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 398 - The Culinary and Hospitality Modernization Act (Restoration of Happy Hour)

This legislation boosts one of the state's fastest growing economic engines, the Culinary and Hospitality industry by updating out-of-date laws regulating happy hours and trade policies. This measure will increase sales tax revenue and serve as a way to attract and retain businesses in Illinois. Illinois restaurants support more than 529,000 jobs or 9% of Illinois' workforce, and are projected to generate more than $23 billion in sales in 2015. In 2014, restaurants and bars in Illinois generated nearly $1.8 billion in state and local sales taxes. This bill also requires mandatory Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training (BASSET) for all alcohol servers in Illinois.

SB 125 - Humane Care for Animals Act

Great news for the animal lovers who have called our office about people who leave their pets outside in extreme weather. SB 125 puts penalties on pet owners who expose their cats and dogs to life-threatening extreme heat or cold for prolonged periods of time.

SB 1761 - Anti-BDS/Illinois Investment Policy Board

This legislation creates the Illinois Investment Policy Board, which would maintain a list of restricted companies for the state-funded pension systems and Illinois State Board of Investments (ISBI). The pension systems and ISBI could not invest in any company on the list of restricted companies, which would include companies that boycott Israel or have relations with Iran or Sudan.

HR 485 - Mental Health Awareness Month

This resolution officially designated the month of May as "Mental Health Awareness Month." The purpose of this designation is to encourage those who may be 'hiding in the shadows' of mental illness to seek treatment and help for their condition.

HR 312 - Ernie Banks Resolution

HR 312 serves to commemorate the life of one of Chicago's finest citizens, Mr. Cub. Ernie Banks brought as much joy to Chicago, and the 12th District specifically, as anyone in our city's history. It is a privilege for the House to commemorate Ernie Banks' incredible life.

A comprehensive list of Rep. Feigenholtz's legislation can be found here.

WOMEN'S HEALTH & RESOURCE FAIR

SENIOR HEALTH & RESOURCE FAIR

Representative Feigenholtz updated constituents during our first Virtual Town Hall

Rep. Feigenholtz (right) with 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney (center) and Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center President Susan Nordstrom Lopez (left) at the Center for Advanced Care ribbon cutting

Sara (center) joined Toshiyuki Iwado, the consul-general of Japan (left) and Chairman of the Lincoln Park Zoo Board John Ettelson (right) in welcoming new Macaque monkeys to the Zoo

Representative Feigenholtz (second to right) with friends and family after accepting the Center for Law and Social Work's Family Matters Spirit Award

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Urban Islander Farmers Market

Every Thursday, 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

until Thursday, October 1, 2015

3460 N. Broadway Street

Come support local farmers and buy fresh produce at one of Lakeview's outdoor markets.

Bird Walks around Lincoln Park's North Pond

Every Wednesday, 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Notebaert Nature Museum

2430 N. Cannon Drive

More than 300 kinds of birds visit Chicago's Lincoln Park, one of the region's best places to see birds. Join experienced bird watchers from the Chicago Ornithological Society on weekly bird walks around North Pond to observe and learn about our feathered neighbors.

Wells Street Art Festival

Saturday & Sunday, June 13-14

10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

On Wells Street between North Avenue & Division Street

Celebrating its 41st year in 2015, Wells Street Art Festival is one of the most prestigious fine art fairs in the nation, continuously ranked in Sunshine Artists Top 100 Fine Art Fairs. This juried event features the work of 250 national exhibitors and is attended by more than 70,000 art enthusiasts.

Old Town Art Fair

Saturday & Sunday, June 13-14

10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Lincoln Avenue & Wisconsin Avenue

The Old Town Art Fair, one of the top art fairs in the country, celebrates its 66th year on June 13 and 14, 2015 as the charming, tree-lined streets of the city's historic Old Town Triangle District set the stage for 250 nationally acclaimed artists and an estimated 50,000 art lovers.

Bike to Work Week Celebration Events

Monday, June 15, 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, June 18, 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

2300 N. Lincoln Avenue

The LPCC is bringing together Chicago's great bike community, local businesses, residents and more to celebrate Bike to Work Week in Lincoln Park and they would love you to join! They will have a cheering section for bike commuters along the busy Lincoln Avenue bike lane, and local businesses will be passing out goodies and more fun for all ages.

How to be a Social Media Consultant

Monday, June 15, 6:00 p.m.

The Shift, 4101 N. Broadway Avenue

Many people are not in a position to hire long-term social media assistance, so the Shift is bringing you the next best thing: a personalized one-on-one consultation with a Social Media Expert who can help you design or refine your strategies, teach you how to access and understand your analytics, advise you on the best actions to take to maximize your social media success and more.

Please RSVP: theshiftchicago.frontdeskhq.com.

Diabetes Awareness Month Event

Tuesday, June 16, 1:30 p.m.

Oak Street Health, 1541 W. Devon Avenue

Join Oak Street Health for an educational seminar on diabetes and healthy eating.

Call 312-733-3374 to RSVP today.

Movies in the Park

Friday, June 19, Dusk

3379 N. Clifton Avenue

Join neighbors and watch Paddington as the sun sets!