(773) 296-4141
3223 N. Sheffield

NEWS FROM THE 12th DISTRICT
Events in the Neighborhood
 
Dining Out For Life  

Dine at participating restaurants on Thursday April 26th to automatically donate to the Test Positive Awareness Network. TPAN saves lives and empowers those affected by HIV/AIDS and related illnesses.
Click here for more information.  

Free Music Box Theatre Movies at Gallagher Way
Gallagher Way
(Formerly Park at Wrigley)
3637 N. Clark St.
Wed. May 16
7:30 p.m.
Movie: A League of Their Own

Bring your blanket and lean back to enjoy Gallagher Way's free summer movie series presented by Chicago's premier venue for independent and classic films, Music Box Theatre.

View the entire film series schedule here.  Gates open at 6 p.m. Screenings start at 7:30 p.m. Seating is first come, first served. 

Belmont - Sheffield Music Fest  


On Sheffield from Belmont to Roscoe St.
Sat. May 26 & Sun. May 27
Noon - 10:00 p.m.

Kick off summer at this neighborhood festival featuring food, libations, artisans and two stages of entertainment.  
Click here for more information. 
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North Dearborn Garden Walk

The annual North Dearborn Association Garden Walk is one of the most anticipated events in our community. If you are looking to volunteer please visit their website.


 

 

Dear Neighbor,

Our democracy functions on a system of checks and balances. One of the most important roles of the legislature is to serve as a check on the Executive branch.

The need for this became abundantly clear when the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) ended their 35-year practice of voluntarily releasing child abuse statistics. The department then ignored advocates' requests for a complete set of child abuse data, withholding vital information that advocates used for decades to identify child abuse trends and protect children and families.

When the Human Services Appropriations committee asked the department for answers about the sudden disappearance of the data on the website, the inconsistent and cavalier answers from the department were shocking.
Last week I filed HR 986 compelling DCFS to immediately resume its 35-year precedent of issuing monthly child abuse reports and executive statistical summaries. I joined advocates in a press conference demanding that DCFS stop hiding data that further endangers our youth in care. Pushed to the brink, the department finally released the data after a coalition of lawmakers and advocates publicly demanded the information.

Once it was released, the data presented alarming information of a 50% increase in the number of children being re-abused  and a spike in opioid related calls to the hotline.

With the Rauner administration's decision to slash addiction treatment services for people suffering from opioid addiction, it is no wonder they tried to hide data.
The next step is restoring critical funding and demanding these reports continue to be made available.

I joined advocates from the National Association of Social Workers and the Foster Care Alumni of America in calling for transparency on child abuse statistics.  
 
Good News- Affordable Senior Housing Coming to Our Community Soon!
Construction of a new affordable senior housing development in our community is expected to start this summer thanks to new legislation I sponsored.

The timeline on getting this legislation signed into law was remarkable, as it took less than 3 months from introduction to becoming law. This was a great example of policy over politics and working together for the benefit of seniors in our state.

The legislative change was necessary because an obscure rule prohibited building separate supportive and independent living facilities under one roof.  This new law allows both uses in one facility as long as they have separate entrances, common spaces and staffs. 

This will allow a 10-story building on the former Ravenswood Hospital campus at 4501 N. Winchester Avenue with 119 supportive living apartments on the first four floors, and 74 one-bedroom independent living units on the upper floors. The Chicago Housing Authority committed $24 million for the independent living portion of the project, with the balance of the project funded through private money and low-income housing tax credits.  
   
Social Workers Recognition


As we head into May, we turn our attention more towards budget negotiations. Appropriation committees have started looking at next year's numbers and Democrats and Republicans are working together to reach compromises. I encourage the governor to negotiate with all members of the general assembly on a budget that respects taxpayers while protecting the critical services that lift up the middle-class and protects our state's most vulnerable residents.   
  
Warmest regards,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sara Feigenholtz
State Representative
12th District 
 
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

Gill Park Playlot


Thanks to years of hard work and collaboration, Gill Park is getting a new playlot. Demolition on the existing playlot is expected to begin within the next month, followed by construction of the new playlot which should be complete by September.

Special thanks to Alderman Cappleman and Cubs Charities for supplementing city funds to complete this project. This project could not have been completed without the fundraising efforts of neighborhood groups and residents. This new playlot will be a welcomed addition to the East Lakeview neighborhood.  
 
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