SPRINGFIELD – Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities will have a less restrictive alternative to guardianship to support their daily living, thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) that was signed into law Friday.

“Adults with disabilities deserve the opportunity to make decisions in how they live their daily lives when possible,” Feigenholtz said. “This law helps many people with disabilities build confidence and become better self-advocates.”

SPRINGFIELD – In response to news reports that contractors for the Department of Children and Family Services sometimes resorted to shacking children during transport, a new law sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) aims to end this practice by prohibiting DCFS and its agents from using restraints.

“These news reports sent shockwaves through the child welfare community when it was discovered that transport companies contracted by DCFS employed such cruel practices,” Feigenholtz said. “DCFS youth-in-care have experienced enough trauma in their lives. After continued reports shed light on this repeated method of transport, something had to be done to stop it.”

To revitalize the hard-hit tourism industry as it continues to suffer from COVID-19 losses, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) announced the Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant program received $10 million to bring back new and returning tourism attractions and festivals to our state.

“Tourism is vital for my district and many others across the state,” said Feigenholtz, chair of the Senate's Tourism and Hospitality Committee.  "This new program provides a needed opportunity for communities to showcase the amazing festivals and attractions we have right here in Illinois.  Our restaurants, hotels and small businesses are ready to safely welcome visitors back.”

SPRINGFIELD – Public school teachers and employees who are about to become new parents will have greater flexibility on how they can use their sick time for parental leave as part of a new law sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago).

“In 2021 families are formed in their own unique ways. Teachers and employees who have earned sick time should have flexibility in how and when they use this earned time” Feigenholtz said. “Many new families today, especially LGBTQ+ and single-parent families, function differently than when these laws were written. Every family is unique and deserves the right to decide how to use their sick time in the way that best suits them.”