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Events in the Neighborhood
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Belmont-Sheffield Music Fesitval
On Sheffield from Belmont to Roscoe St.
Sat. May 25 & Sun. May 26
11 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Kick off summer at this neighborhood festival featuring food, libations, artisans and two stages of entertainment.
Condo Workshop
Olsen Auditorium at Advocate Masonic Hospital
836 W. Wellington Ave.
Thu. Jun. 6
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Our condo law guru Sima Kirsch will host a
workshop covering a range of topics, including navigating the terrain of board membership, the value of condo education, and the nuances of condo law.
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Get Involved
6th Annual Race Against Gun Violence
Thu. Jun. 6
Grant Park
6:30pm
The Race Against Gun Violence is a rallying point to raise awareness of, and funds, for organizations working to save lives and build Chicago's future. It is an opportunity to change the narrative about our city, call concerned citizens to action, and show the world that Chicago can come together to solve the problem of gun violence.
There are multiple ways to participate in the race: as a runner, sponsor, fundraiser/contributor, volunteer, Community Partner or Affiliate. 100% of charitable contributions are distributed to nonprofit organizations dedicated to reducing gun violence.
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Dear Neighbor,
May is well underway which means long session days, committee meetings, and budget negotiations prior to our May 31st deadline.
This week, the governor's budget office reported that an additional $1.5B in revenue was collected over projections, allowing modifications to the governor's proposed 2020 budget. Other revenue items remain on the table before the May 31st adjournment -- his budget relied on two major items still pending approval by the legislature -- cannabis legalization, and wagering on sporting events.
Ultimately, long term fiscal responsibility requires a fundamental change to Illinois' tax system. Discussion has been ongoing for decades about the regressive flat tax in the Illinois constitution. Governor Pritzker ran on the progressive income tax issue, and he is nearing the finish line.
Currently, low income Illinoisans pay some of the highest taxes in America. People with income under $21,800 pay 14.4 percent in income taxes, while the top one percent of Illinois taxpayers, those making over $500,000 per year, pay 7.4 percent of their income in taxes.
Reforming our property tax assessment system is the key to property tax reform. A pending proposal in the house by Assessor Fritz Kaegi would give his office the ability to more accurately assess commercial properties by collecting operating income and expense data.
Further protections on a woman's right to choose, an elected school board, LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum, and the Children's Mental Health Crisis Act are all awaiting final chamber consideration. Watch our Facebook for daily updates because things happen in the blink of an eye.
Adoption & Child Welfare Committee
Ta'Naja Barnes
At the beginning of the 101st general assembly, I assumed the role of chair of the Adoption and Child Welfare committee to
improve a system that has been devoid of
both leadership and its core mission: child protection.
The tragic news of losing these children underscores the importance of improving DCFS.
The Adoption and Child Welfare Committee has conducted many hearings on the multiple deaths that have occurred.
The state's number one priority is to ensure that the children in the care of the state are safe. Child protection is the core mission of the Department of Children and Family Services. However,
since 2005 DCFS has had 13 directors, leaving the agency devoid of vision, mission and leadership.
The formation of the Adoption and Child Welfare Committee will now give this agency direction and its undivided attention.
The committee has held many hearings and will continue on an ongoing basis to examine agency reform including adding more frontline workers to reduce current caseloads, better risk assessment tools to measure risk accurately, simulation training for real life interaction with families, and upgraded technology are just a few items the committee is looking at to find solutions and protect our kids.
Our New Mayor - Lori Lightfoot
The city will usher in a new era on May 20th, as Lori Lightfoot will become mayor. I look forward to working with her on making a great city, Chicago, even greater.
I am excited for the future of Chicago.
Sara Feigenholtz
State Representative
12th District
Please follow us on
Facebook and
Twitter for updates throughout the legislative session or call my office (773) 296-4141 if we can be of help to you.
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