|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
Stem Cell ResearchRepresentative Feigenholtz has worked tirelessly to promote stem cell research in the state of Illinois. Feigenholtz is a firm believer that the advancements made through stem cell research have the potential to provide cures to many disabling diseases, including diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. For these reasons, and many more, Representative Feigenholtz sponsored House Bill 3589, the Stem Cell Research Act. She passed this bill out of the Illinois House, but unfortunately, it failed in the Senate by two votes. After this, Representative Feigenholtz joined Comptroller Dan Hynes when he announced a new initiative for stem cell research. This proposal includes the creation of a state-funded institute that will award $1 billion in stem cell research grants over the next decade by taxing elective cosmetic surgery such as facelifts, liposuction and Botox injections. Representative Feigenholtz remains deeply committed to this cause and will continue to fight for the passage of stem cell research in the state of Illinois. Women’s IssuesSara has worked diligently to improve women’s health during her service as State Representative. She was the chief sponsor of a bill that requires coverage for breast and cervical cancer screenings and treatment for low-income women. She was also the lead sponsor of the Gender Violence Act, which would allow victims of gender-based domestic violence to sue their attackers in civil court. Sara believes strongly in a woman’s right to choose, and fights vigorously in Springfield to protect that right. Recently, she sponsored and passed HB211, “The Contraceptive Equity Act”, which requires insurance companies to cover women’s contraception. She was also the chief sponsor of House Bill 6577, “The Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act”, which would allow pharmacists to distribute emergency contraception (EC) to women without a prescription. EC is one of the “best kept secrets” in preventing unintended pregnancies. It is currently available in many other countries over the counter and had been determined to be safe and effective by many national and international reproductive health experts. These same experts assert that we can cut the number of abortions in half if EC is available at a pharmacy. Property Tax ReformRep. Feigenholtz fought hard to reduce the skyrocketing property tax burdens that are forcing people out of the vibrant communities they call home. Property owners should not be forced to sell their homes in order to pay these taxes – which increased tremendously in the 12th District over the last decade. To help resolve this problem, she co-sponsored and worked side by side with community organizations such as TRAC (Tax Reform Action Coalition) to pass Senate Bill 2112, which expands the homeowner exemption so that the assessed taxable value of a home will not increase by more than 7% in one year. This legislation, which was signed by the Governor in the summer of 2004, is a crucial first step in helping to keep residents in their homes and communities. Health CareRep. Feigenholtz has emerged as a leader in Springfield on health care and human service issues, and has been recognized by the Illinois Primary Health Care Association and the Illinois Hospitals and Healthsystems Association for her work on behalf of Illinois’ citizens. Sara sponsored and passed the “FamilyCare” bill, which expands Illinois’ successful KidCare health insurance plan to include the working-class parents of KidCare-eligible children. This plan insures as many as 200,000 of the 1.7 million uninsured people in Illinois. Sara is a champion of efforts like this, which expand and strengthen health care in Illinois at a minimal cost to taxpayers. Sara also has worked to improve public health throughout our state. Recently, she was the lead sponsor of a bill that provides free syringes to adults without a prescription – a measure that may cut HIV transmission rates in half. Sara also supports mental health parity efforts, which would guarantee proper coverage to victims of mental illnesses. “Health care is a right, not a privilege,” as Sara says, and perhaps more than anyone else in Springfield, she’s fighting for better health care for everyone in Illinois. Human RightsRep. Feigenholtz has always been one of the most vocal supporters of human rights legislation in the Illinois General Assembly. She is a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 3186, legislation that would end discrimination based on sexual orientation in Illinois. She played a crucial role in securing the votes needed to pass this bill out of the House of Representatives. Because of her hard work, SB 3186 passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly on January 11, 2005, the last day the 93rd General Assembly was in session and now awaits the Governor’s signature EducationAs a staunch advocate for higher standards for education in Illinois, Sara has worked to boost education funding at all levels throughout the State. She has co-sponsored bills that would provide more money to local school councils, and would boost the minimum level of per-pupil spending at all schools in Illinois. Another major component of quality education is, of course, the quality and support of our teachers. Due to a federal ruling, Chicago Teacher’s health care costs could no longer be subsidized by the Chicago Teacher’s pension fund. This ruling quadrupled health insurance costs for thousand of retired schoolteachers, many of whom live on a fixed income. To fix this problem, Rep. Feigenholtz co-sponsored House Bill 1269, which increased the reimbursement to annuitants for health insurance costs by $15,000,000. This bill will reduce health insurance costs to teachers who have given so much to this city. OlmsteadIn 1999, the United States Supreme Court ruled in its landmark Olmstead decision that states had to provide alternatives to institutionalization to the elderly and disabled. As Chairman of the House Human Services Committee, Sara took the lead to ensure that Illinois offers a variety of choices to those in need of long-term medical care. Though the process is far from over, Sara’s work with the Illinois Department of Human Services and a network of dedicated advocates has helped open more doors to the elderly, the physically disabled, and the mentally disabled. Gun ControlSara has long been a supporter of measures that would toughen our gun control laws and make our streets safer. In the past, Rep. Feigenholtz has sponsored bills that would limit individuals from purchasing more than one gun a month and that would regulate sales of firearms at gun shows. She also co-sponsored successful legislation that bans “cop killer” bullets in Illinois. Seniors
Sara led the fight to expand the state’s Community Care Program, a cost-effective program that provides in-home healthcare services to low-income seniors. She also passed legislation that addresses the disparity in Illinois’ long-term care and choices. Older Illinoisans want choice in their care and most would prefer to stay home rather than enter a nursing home. This legislation requires the Department on Aging to contract with community-based agencies to provide community reintegration assistance within the first 60 days that a senior has been admitted to a nursing facility. This bill will help ensure that seniors are living in the least restrictive setting and keep them in their homes if at all possible. Sara fights to end age-based discrimination, an issue particularly vital to older working senior citizens. She is currently sponsoring legislation (House Bill 5047) to eliminate the Social Security offset in Illinois, which prevents working seniors from collecting full unemployment benefits if they are on Social Security; Illinois is currently one of only two states that still employs a Social Security unemployment offset. With her sponsorship, support and the passage of the legislation creating civil unions in Illinois, senior citizens are expected to be the most numerous benefactors of civil unions. Many seniors who receive survivor’s Social Security or pension benefits choose to not remarry because they would lose these benefits; entering in to a civil union with a partner allows them the same hospital visitation and medical decision rights as a married couple, but without the financial loss. Sara also fought for higher wages for home healthcare workersbecause these dedicated and wonderful individuals should be supported in their tireless work for our seniors. Sara was instrumental in authoring and passing significant nursing home reform, which came as a response to reports of nursing home abuse throughout the state. The new law strengthens the admissions and screening process (including comprehensive criminal background checks), increases staffing ratios, transfers patients with a serious mental illness out of nursing homes and into community programs, and toughens penalties for violations. |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Life can be challenging for older adults; living on fixed incomes, rising costs of living, and all sorts of day-to-day complications present daily hurdles for senior citizens. Sara listens to them carefully and hears them loud and clear. Most importantly, Sara is committed to improving the lives of older adults of the 12th district.
