Sara Feigenholtz is currently serving her sixth term as
the State Representative from the 12th Legislative District, which includes
Lakeview, Lincoln Park and the Near North Side.
Rep. Feigenholtz's committee assignments reflect her dedication
to the long-term health of Illinois' citizens, neighborhoods and the
economy. She is Chair of the House Human Services - Appropriations Committee
and is a member of Environmental Health Committee. In addition, Sara
serves on the Fee-For-Services Initiatives Committee, Tourism &
Conventions and the Insurance Committee.
Throughout her legislative career, Feigenholtz has been
a vocal leader in the health care debate. She authored legislation that
gives women in their 40's access to annual mammograms, and this year
she is the driving force behind legislation that requires prescription
drug plans to cover contraceptives. Rep. Feigenholtz is the champion
of Family Care, an expansion of Illinois' successful Children's Health
Insurance Program to include the parents of qualifying children. She
is also recognized for her hard work in procuring state funds for the
AIDS drug reimbursement program and continues to lead the fight in Springfield
for effective HIV-prevention measures.
In addition to her work on health care issues, Feigenholtz
is working to improve the higher education system in Illinois and pushing
for measures to restore confidence in the Illinois justice system. In
order to help prevent coerced false confessions and unfounded accusations
of police brutality, Feigenholtz sponsored legislation that would require
police officers to videotape interrogations. She also supported a moratorium
on the death penalty and sponsored a gender violence bill, which would
allow victims of domestic violence to sue their attackers in civil court.
Rep. Feigenholtz continues to focus on preserving the
quality of life for residents of the 12th District. She is working with
local police departments and public officials to preserve human rights
and curb the rise of hate crimes in Chicago neighborhoods. In the heat
of property tax relief discussions, she has proposed legislation that
would provide renters with relief in the form of tax credits. She also
worked closely with other lakefront legislators to secure state funds
to preserve Lake Michigan's shoreline. Through her efforts, Feigenholtz
was able to secure $47 million from Illinois FIRST to help slow erosion
along the north side shore.
Rep. Feigenholtz was formerly the Executive Director of
the Central Lakeview Merchants Association, and founded her own consulting
firm which raised over $1 million for pro-choice political candidates
and charitable organizations.
Feigenholtz continues her active involvement with several
community and charitable organizations: the governing council of the
American Jewish Congress; the leadership council of Women in Government;
and the boards of the Lincoln Park Conservancy, Ed Feldman Development
Center, Chicago Baseball Museum, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
and the Northeastern Illinois University.
Representative Feigenholtz earned her bachelor's degree from Northeastern
Illinois University and has a fellowship degree from the University
of Illinois School of Public Health. She was recently recognized by
Prevent Blindness America for her leadership and commitment to "visionary"
programs and received the 2004 Women of Vision Award. In addition, a
number of other organizations have praised her legislative accomplishments,
including the Illinois Health Care Association, the Illinois Hospital
Association, the Illinois Primary Health Care Association, the Chicago
Teachers Union, Aids Foundation of Chicago and the Illinois Coalition
Against Domestic Violence.