SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) is celebrating passage of a landmark affordable housing package meant to address one of Illinois’ biggest challenges. The measure, which Feigenholtz help move through the Senate, was sponsored by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

“Illinois has a severe shortage of affordable housing, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the number of people facing housing insecurity,” Feigenholtz said. “As of 2019, Illinois was short nearly 108,000 rental homes individuals earning 60% of their local area median income could afford. In Chicago, this is about $56,000 for a family of four. By offering tax incentives, we will be able to keep families together, in their homes and in their communities.”

House Bill 2621 has several provisions aimed at securing affordable housing statewide. One aspect of the legislation stems from legislation Feigenholtz sponsored earlier in the year that would provide an incentive to landlords by reducing the assessed value of properties where 15% to 35% of units offer rent at or below market value for 10 years.

SPRINGFIELD – Today, the Illinois Senate passed legislation requiring county clerks to issue new marriage certificates to reflect legal name changes. Sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), the measure was the second this session aimed at modernizing marriage license practice in Illinois.

“We’ve focused on removing gendered language on marriage certificates, but many individuals who adopt new gender identities often change their legal names in the process,” Feigenholtz said. “Simply removing the gendered language is not enough. Non-binary and transgender individuals should be able to have a marriage license that lists their correct name.”

House Bill 2590 requires county clerks in Illinois to issue new marriage certificates at the request of one of the parties involved that reflect legal name changes, provided the marriage occurred in Illinois and legal documentation of the name change is provided. The new certificate cannot contain additional markings, such as an indication of the individual’s former name.

SPRINGFIELD – The Senate Labor Committee approved a measure sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) that will allow teachers and other school employees to use paid sick leave after fostering, adopting or giving birth to a child.

"Today's Illinois families are formed and function quite differently than when these laws were originally written,” Feigenholtz said. "New parents, including LGBTQ+ couples and single parents, should have flexibility to decide how and when to use their earned time off to care for and bond with their new child.”

House Bill 816 redefines how teachers and other school employees outside of Chicago are able to use 30 working days of paid sick leave after the birth, adoption or fostering of a child at any time within the year after the child joins the family.

SPRINGFIELD – In response to several instances of shackles and other hard restraints being used during the transport of youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) is sponsoring a measure that restricts the use of restraints.

“When a kid in DCFS care is being moved, that process alone already has the potential to be traumatic,” Feigenholtz said. “Under no circumstances should we ever condone adding more trauma by restraining children. These are children, not prisoners, and they must be treated as such.”

Senate Bill 2323 ensures that the DCFS must treat youth in their care with dignity at all times. This means that no youth may be subjected to the use of restraints during transportation services provided or arranged by DCFS. The legislation also requires the department to develop individual trauma-sensitive transfer plans for children under its care.

SPRINGFIELD – With the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission set to expire on Jan. 1, 2022, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), one of two Jewish members of the Illinois Senate, is sponsoring a measure to extend the expiration by ten years.

“The Holocaust is among the most heinous events in human history,” Feigenholtz said. “Nearly a century later, not only are we seeing more and more adults and children articulate the depth of the Holocaust, we have seen increased hate crimes towards Jewish people in our country. It is extremely important that we continue educating our youth and work to find innovative ways to teach tolerance alongside the atrocities of the Holocaust.”

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to modernize marriage certificates, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) has passed legislation through the Illinois Senate allowing marriage licenses to use non-gendered language.

“Gendered language on marriage certificates is an outdated requirement,” said Feigenholtz. “Forcing someone to choose between binary terms like bride and groom may not be relevant for all couples. This new practice will reflect the full flexibility of marriage under the law.”

Senate Bill 139 allows married couples to request a new marriage certificate from the county clerk free of any gender identifying language. This includes changing terms like “bride” and “groom” to gender-neutral alternatives such as “spouse.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) issued the following statement following the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo:

“There are no words to describe witnessing a child die by violence. My heart breaks for the family of Adam Toledo and the Little Village community.

“The compounded trauma, with a years-long pandemic and unending violence, paralyzes any parent with fear, looking at their own child and thinking, ’this could have been my child.’ Adam Toledo is our child, and our system has failed him.

“Police officers need more training on how to avoid the use of deadly force while protecting innocent members of the public. The Toledo family and our communities deserve a transparent and thorough investigation of all involved.

“The family requests calm and respectful gatherings during this time of mourning. We must look at this tragic event and enact change now.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz’s (D-Chicago) plan to allow third parties to deliver spirits and wine from package stores to adult consumers was signed into law Friday.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, more consumers than ever are taking advantage of grocery delivery options because they want to enjoy their favorite products – including spirits – from the safety of home,” Feigenholtz said. “This new law streamlines the delivery process for consumers and sets clear accountability standards for vendors meeting this demand.”

Feigenholtz sponsored Senate Bill 54 so that a person living outside of Chicago can order groceries – including alcohol – for home delivery from a store in Chicago without having to worry whether or not both local governments permit the delivery.

This new law allows retailers to utilize the services of a third-party facilitator by means of the internet or a mobile app to facilitate the sale of alcohol. Third-party facilitators are required to be licensed and must comply with recordkeeping requirements.

“Small businesses are the heart and soul of our community. This law will make it easier for suburban residents to patronize our local shops and businesses safely,” Feigenholtz said.

The governor signed the measure into law Friday, and it takes effect immediately.