CHICAGO – Today marks one year since State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) began serving in the Illinois Senate. Feigenholtz, who was previously the state representative for the 12th District, took time to reflect on her new role in her first year as senator for the 6th District.

“Because of this global pandemic, my first year in the Senate was unforgettable, and I am grateful for the opportunity to represent this resilient district,” Feigenholtz said. “In a year that was dominated by COVID-19, I am very proud of the work my district office staff was able to accomplish in meeting the needs of our community. Hundreds of unemployment cases were brought to resolution because of their diligence and commitment to our constituents.”

CHICAGO – With the COVID-19 vaccine rollout underway, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) joined State Representative Ann Williams (D-Chicago), Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen and Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller for a town hall to answer questions.

“Our constituents have been calling worried they will be overlooked as the vaccine becomes more available,” Feigenholtz said. “This town hall was designed to share specific details from on-the-ground local officials, and those who attended got answers to the many questions our offices have been receiving as to when they will receive their vaccination.” “It’s important we share as much information as possible with our constituents about the vaccine rollout,” Williams added. “Our local public health departments are working day and night to ensure everyone is vaccinated as soon as possible.”

SPRINGFIELD – Today, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) was sworn in for the 102nd General Assembly after joining the Senate in January 2020.

“This past year in the Senate has been like no other – after serving just three weeks, we were hit by COVID-19 and life transformed overnight,” Feigenholtz said. “The pandemic has been devastating to our communities, and our office has been working day and night to address the concerns and struggles of our constituents. The needs of Illinoisans resulting from the pandemic are bottomless, and I enter the 102nd General Assembly renewed and prepared to address our states full recovery.”

A veteran House lawmaker, Feigenholtz joined the Senate upon the retirement of her mentor, Senate President John J. Cullerton. Feigenholtz has a statewide reputation as an effective legislator and is known for navigating complex policy matters and sponsors a diverse portfolio of legislation.

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the hard hitting impact of the pandemic, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) crafted, sponsored and passed a relief package to provide a lifeline to a struggling industry.

“In May, we passed a bill allowing cocktail delivery for the bar and restaurant industry, which helped them recoup some of the lost income caused by COVID-19,” Feigenholtz said. “Today we extended this ability to other retail establishments. Alcohol sales make up a large portion of revenue for our eating, drinking and retail establishments."

House Bill 3393, known as the COVID-19 Hospitality Recovery Act, extends the quickly-approaching sunset on cocktail delivery, permits retailers to use credit cards for payment to distributors, and crafts a limited exemption on indirect donations for not-for-profit entities of fixtures and equipment. The package also clarifies laws around permitted delivery.

“These are common sense policies crafted with a great deal of input from industry stakeholders,” Feigenholtz said. “When this legislation becomes law,  it will provide restaurants, bars and retailers with additional tools for cash management, as well as flexibility to indirectly accept items such as tents, warmers and other equipment needed to attract customers to outdoor dining.”

The package passed the Senate with unanimous support, and will be sent to the House for a concurrence vote.

CHICAGO – To expand access to dental care, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) joined the dental team at Illinois Masonic hospital at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new mobile dentistry van. Feigenholtz successfully fought for funding in the state budget to make the new van a reality.

“Oral hygiene and dental health is an important part of a person’s health care, but often is overlooked,” Feigenholtz said. “Dental visits are often expensive and not always covered by insurance. This new mobile unit will provide comprehensive and affordable dental care to adults and children that have traditionally experienced barriers to care.”

CHICAGO – August marks 100 years since the 19^th Amendment was added to the United States Constitution, granting suffrage to women. State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), who currently serves as President of the Women’s Network of the National Conference of State Legislatures, moderated an NCSL event today celebrating a century of women’s enfranchisement.

“The recognition of the 19^th Amendment is arguably one of the most important events in our country’s history, and the hundredth anniversary marks a landmark moment for women,” Feigenholtz said. “It reflects how far we have come and the work that is still ahead.”

CHICAGO – Earlier this week, the Trump administration announced a plan to deploy agents from the Department of Homeland Security to Chicago to respond to local unrest.  State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“The president continues to wreak havoc and chaos across our country by determining that Homeland Security agents should be sent to Chicago,” Feigenholtz said. “There is no way to identify them, no specific purpose for their deployment, and they have no business coming to our city. The Trump administration’s actions provide nothing more than an endless list of failures since the day this administration began.”

The news comes just days after federal agents were deployed to Portland, Oregon. Quickly, footage of these agents using excessive force on protesters surfaced, leading many to fear similar acts of violence may occur in Chicago.

“If the president is truly concerned about the well-being of Chicago residents, then he should do something to address the public health crisis we’re currently facing instead of risking further serious injuries by sending in federal agents,” Feigenholtz said.

The Trump administration has not released any information about when the deployment of federal agents is scheduled to occur.

Feigenholtz: AJ Freund case a reminder that there is still work to be done

CHICAGO – A judge in McHenry Country sentenced JoAnn Cunningham to 35 years in prison Friday for the murder of AJ Freund, her 5-year-old son. State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), who established a bipartisan, bicameral working group to address shortfalls in the Department of Children and Family Services in the wake of AJ’s death, stressed the importance of addressing and fixing these issues.

“There is no possible sentence that could provide justice to AJ Freund,” Feigenholtz said. “He was only five years old, and was killed by someone who was supposed to be taking care of him. The unfortunate reality is that until we can address and fix the issues plaguing DCFS, AJ’s story won’t be the last.”

Cunningham killed Freund in April of 2019 in what Judge Robert Wilbrandt described as “inhumane, repulsive and, frankly, shocking” actions. Freund was beaten to death by Cunningham while in their home on April 19, 2019, and was buried in a shallow, unmarked grave by his father, Drew Freund. He was found six days later.

The case shined a light onto the deficiencies in the DCFS system, which Freund and Cunningham were a part of, and prompted Feigenholtz to push for the formation of the working group.

“After I heard the tragic news of AJ’s death, my stance was that we as a legislature need to continue our diligent work so that we can ensure DCFS and its partner agencies have the resources and tools they require to protect all of the children that fall under their care,” Feigenholtz said. “We made some progress, but there is still a long road ahead of us and a lot of work to be done.”

Cunningham faced up to a maximum of 60 years in prison. Under Friday’s sentencing, she is ineligible for parole. Drew Freund is also charged with first-degree murder but has not yet faced trial.