SPRINGFIELD — Illinois teachers and families would have better tools to identify behavioral and mental health needs for youth to connect them with community-based supports under a measure led by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz.

“My focus has always been on prioritizing behavioral health care and social services that reinforce our commitments to Illinois children and families, and this legislation continues that important work,” Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) said. “This initiative will help teachers connect students with school-based supports but also create stronger pathways to behavioral health care and services at home and in the community.”

Feigenholtz has worked alongside members of the Illinois Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative, led by Dr. Dana Weiner, since 2022. Feigenholtz sponsored and passed the Interagency Children’s Behavioral Health Services Act in 2023, paving the way for the new BEACON portal, a centralized online platform for Illinois children and families seeking mental health services. Through BEACON, youth and caregivers can find services they qualify for, manage health records securely, receive real-time updates and request additional case support.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is leading a measure that would allow short-term teachers to take family and medical leave.

“Illinois has been tackling the ongoing teacher shortage for years – and this is another step in the right direction,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “We should be encouraging people to become educators, not holding them back.”

Senate Bill 1584 would permit the Illinois State Board of Education to make rules allowing for extensions to short-term approval licenses if the licensee has taken leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act during the time they were licensed under short-term approval.

CHICAGO — State Senator Sara Feigenholtz was recognized Thursday with the Advocate Award at LAGBAC’s Lawyers for Diversity celebration for her decades-long work in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“The privilege I have of working alongside the LGBTQIA+ legal community cannot be understated,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Standing alongside the passionate, sharp minds of the legal community and the street fighters and activists who got us here has been nothing short of breathtaking.”

Feigenholtz has been a career-long advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She has consistently worked to prevent gender- and sexual identity-based discrimination, secured millions in HIV/AIDS prevention funding, strengthened Illinois’ hate crime laws, protected reproductive freedom and access to gender-affirming care, modernized inclusive language on birth and marriage certificates, expanded adoption protections for same-sex couples and more.

SPRINGFIELD — To help youth formerly in DCFS care achieve their higher education goals, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz spearheaded a new law providing scholarship recipients with greater flexibility in how they use the funding.

“By incentivizing diverse career paths, we’re making it easier for students to receive assistance as long as they are in good standing and working toward a degree, certificate or graduation,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “This flexibility supports greater access to higher education opportunities for former youth in care across our state.”

Provides new tools for business corridor improvements

SPRINGFIELD — A new law sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz provides a flexible financing tool for the bustling retail and hospitality district along the Magnificent Mile and across Chicago.

“The Magnificent Mile, the gateway to high-end retail from Oak Street to Wacker Drive, is poised to overcome the challenges of the pandemic and evolving consumer habits,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “This new law provides a tool to fuel its recovery.” 

Senate Bill 3679 permits property owners to petition the city to create a Business Improvement District – or BID – to collectively fund improvement projects through a self-imposed surcharge on commercial property owners. Since the law only applies to commercial properties, residential property owners are safeguarded from paying additional fees.

SPRINGFIELD — To give downtown Chicago business owners a concrete path to address the needs of their communities and generate revenue that can be used to revitalize business corridors across the city, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz advanced legislation that would allow for the creation of Business Improvement Districts.

“After three years of work, we are giving Magnificent Mile business owners the freedom to chart their own path on a downtown revitalization plan,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Through Business Improvement Districts, our vibrant city centers will have the flexibility and authority to direct their own spending, development and revival.”

Senate Bill 3679 would set the foundation for Chicago businesses to form a Business Improvement District – or BID – and collectively fund improvement projects. Business owners would have direct oversight on how the funds are utilized for projects within the district. BIDs only apply to commercial properties, meaning homeowners and residential properties would not pay any additional fees.

SPRINGFIELD — State oversight authorities could soon have clarity in order to hold financial institutions accountable for deceptive practices under legislation sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz.

“Throughout my career, I have prioritized strengthening corporate and consumer transparency,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Taking on the financial sector is the next step to continue fostering a fair and equitable business environment in Chicago and throughout the state.”

Feigenholtz’s measure seeks to modernize the law regulating entities like credit unions, currency exchanges, pawnbrokers, collection agencies and payday lenders in Illinois. The legislation would provide the Division of Financial Institutions at the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation with more substantial enforcement authority so the agency can investigate complaints against the entities it licenses.

For Michigan Avenue and downtown revitalization

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Sara Feigenholtz passed Senate Bill 3679 — a bill three years in the making — out of the Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday with bipartisan support, meaning Illinois could soon join 45 states with permissive language to establish Business Improvement Districts.

“The pandemic dealt a blow to downtown business districts across the country. Illinois businesses are recovering, but they need the right tools to succeed,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “BIDs allow businesses to set their own agenda and reinvest 100% of funds they have contributed into safety and other improvements. BIDs are a huge win for retail, hospitality and tourism sectors.”