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.”

SPRINGFIELD – People seeking reproductive and gender-affirming health care in Illinois can now count on additional privacy protections, thanks to legislation spearheaded by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz that was signed by Governor JB Pritzker on Friday.

“In Illinois, we will not let this technology be abused and weaponized as a tool to hunt people down based on a lawful decision that took place during an appointment with their doctor,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “We have a long history of welcoming those seeking refuge in our state – and this law will help protect that important aspect of our history.”

SPRINGFIELD – To set forth concrete guidelines, supports and collaborations that will transform the way Illinois delivers high quality behavioral and mental health care to children and youth, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz championed the Interagency Children’s Behavioral Health Services Act, which was signed into law Friday.

“Families of children with behavioral health challenges seeking help have faced barriers for far too long,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “The evidence-driven solutions in this plan will create a more streamlined, accessible and responsive system of care for youth in Illinois.”

The plan implements recommendations from the Governor’s Behavioral Health Transformation Blueprint that was released in February. The initiative, which set out to research the current state of mental and behavioral health issues facing children in Illinois and develop recommendations to better help families, was spearheaded by Dr. Dana Weiner and Senator Feigenholtz in collaboration with experts and state agencies that currently serve youth and families.

CHICAGO – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus celebrated news Monday that Illinois hotel revenue during the 2023 fiscal year exceeded the highest pre-pandemic record, bringing an increase in visitor spending, tax revenue and hospitality jobs.

“These numbers show once again that people all across the country and all around the world think Illinois is great and can’t wait to come here,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “Illinois is a world-class destination that from the Shawnee National Forest to the shoreline of Lake Michigan – and all points in between – has something terrific to offer everyone. This success is a collaborative effort and shows we can balance budgets, grow the economy and break records all at the same time.”

Illinois welcomed 111 million visitors who spent $44 billion in 2022 – representing 14 million additional travelers spending $12 billion more than they did in calendar year 2021. Because of tourist spending and visits in 2022, the overall economic impact – which includes indirect and induced impacts – amounted to a staggering $78 billion, a 30% increase from 2021.