(773) 296-4141
3223 N. Sheffield

NEWS FROM THE 12th DISTRICT
Around the Neigbhorhood
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival
Stage 773
1225 W. Belmont
Through January 15th

2017 Advocacy and Engagement Series: The Syrian Refugee Crisis
Concordia Place
3855 N. Seeley
Wednesday, January 30th
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Lakeview East Neighborhood Nights
(click here for locations)
Tuesday, February 7th
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

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Winter Clothing Drive

Drop off winter hats, scarves, gloves, coats, or sweaters at our office, which is located at 3223 N. Sheffield. The donations will benefit local non-profits in our community.

For additional information, please call our office at 773-296-4141, email Daniel@staterepsara.com, or visit www.staterepsara.com.

NEW Leadership Illinois


Applications are now being accepted for NEW Leadership Illinois 2017!

June 5-9 in Chicago
 
NEW Leadership Illinois
 is an all-expenses paid, bi-partisan program that strives to educate and empower the next generation of female leaders. 

The 2017 program will be held June 5-9 in Chicago.  

Applications will be accepted until March 6, 2017. 
  




Dear Neighbor,
 
Yesterday, the 100th General Assembly was sworn into office. The start of a new year is filled with fresh ideas and new energy.  It's a time when feelings of hope and optimism are at their peak and a time when renewed spirits pledge to "do better" than the year before. 
 
Now is a time to get to know the new House members that I'll be working with for the next two years and a chance to restart productive conversations with familiar colleagues as we prepare to tackle issues in 2017.


  Rep. Feigenholtz (front right) listens as the Inauguration ceremony begins

At the top of the list is the path to compromise on a full budget. At the time of writing this newsletter, we continue to have bipartisan and bicameral meetings.

While talks continue on bigger picture challenges, like the budget, I wanted to let you know a few of the specific issues my office will focus its attention on this session.  

CONDOMINIUM LIVING
We are excited to announce that Adrienne Levatino was named  Condominium Ombudsperson for the state of Illinois. To learn more about the role of the Ombudsperson, please  click here.

Condominiums continue to grow in popularity as a real estate option here in Chicago and the 12th district.  We'll continue to work to ensure condominium living remains affordable and safe through legislative ideas that protect consumer rights and enhance tenant/owner resources. 
 
HOSPITALITY
Finding ways to generate more revenue in Illinois is critical. The 12th district is a culinary and hospitality destination- the economic engine is fueled by 
our restaurants, theaters, Wrigley Field, Lincoln Park Zoo, and the beautiful span of inviting lakefront and Lincoln Park (just to name a few).  Improving the tourism and business climate in Illinois is significant as it will be one of the most important job and economic drivers in our state. 

We'll be working with associations and businesses that represent these industries to build upon past successes and continue to make Illinois an even more fertile environment for small businesses in the culinary and hospitality industries in 2017.
 
MENTAL HEALTH
My colleague Rep. Lou Lang and I are fed up with how our state treats people living with mental illness. We are working toward forming a bi-partisan Mental Health Task Force  in order to fix the broken mental health system in Illinois.

Far too often, we have  seen tragic stories involving abuse of people with mental illness, including the unspeakable torture of a young teen right here in Chicago this month.
   
Jails around the state incarcerate adults who are suffering from mental illness  in lieu of appropriate treatment options; a pricey and inhumane "solution".  Families with children living with mental illness have few options. Many families are so desperate their only choice is to relinquish their children to DCFS in order to get care.

Last year  approximately 8 children a month were relinquished to the custody of the state.  The executive branch policy "drift" over the last two decades must be reversed.  It is time to reignite discussions around the state to address a system that is beyond broken.  Drastic measures call for drastic change.

ADOPTEE RIGHTS
2016 was a tremendously successful year in the adoptee rights arena, not only here in Illinois but around the country.  We will continue to advocate for the rights of adoptees, birth parents and their adoptive families by working with my colleagues in Illinois and other states in search of common-sense ideas that allow adopted adults access to their original birth certificates. Illinois was the 9th state to pass the OBC access law in 2010. Now, there are 21 "access states." Many of these states modeled their law after Illinois'.

I take the faith and trust you put in me to represent you very seriously.

Very Truly Yours,
 








Sara Feigenholtz
State Representative
12th District

P.S. - Please follow us on Facebook for updates throughout the legislative session or call my office (773) 296-4141 if we can be of help to you.
Around the Community
EXCITING NEWS: Condominium Ombudsperson Appointed condo


 
The mission of the CCIC Ombudsperson is to provide information to unit owners, condominium and common interest community associations and their respective boards in order that they all may better understand their rights and obligations under the Condominium Property Act and the Common Interest Community Association Act.
3200 N. Lake Shore Drive Donates Over 35 Bags of Warm Winter Clothes
Elyse and Henry Dumach hold up a small portion of donated items
from 3200 N. Lake Shore Drive

In December , we asked neighbors in the community to gather winter clothes to donat e throughout the district.
 
An amazing constituent named Elyse Dumach and her husband, Henry, organized a coat drive in their condo building and received a record-breaking turnout.
 
With the help of Sarah Sterling at Sudler Management and the Harbor House maintenance team at 3200 N. Lake Shore Dr., a donation box was made available to residents. It took three trip to deliver over 35 bags of coats, hats, scarves, gloves and other warm winter clothes.
 
Our office is overwhelmed with the heartwarming response to our 2016 Winter Clothes Drive. Thank you to everyone who contributed. We will be collecting warm winter clothes throughout the winter months.
 
The donations have been distributed to non-profits in the 12 th District including: Lakeview Pantry, Madonna House, Lakeview Presbyterian Church , and the Church of our Savior. 

Rep. Feigenholtz drops off bags of clothes at Lakeview Pantry

Stay in  touch with us !

If we can be of any assistance to you , please contact our constituent service office:

State Representative Sara Feigenholtz
3223 N. Sheffield Ave, Suite A
Chicago, Il 60657
(773) 296-4141 | www.staterepsara.com