Rep. Feigenholtz is now Sen. Feigenholtz
Tuesday, Jan 21, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sun-Times reporter…
Rep. Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) was first elected in 1994. She officially loses all that seniority when she moves to the Senate.
…Adding… Press release…
44th Ward Alderman and Committeeman Tom Tunney tonight announced that the Democratic Committee from the Sixth State Senatorial District selected Sara Feigenholtz to fill the vacancy of Senate President John Cullerton. Feigenholtz received significant support at the meeting with committee persons from the 2nd, 27th, 43rd, 44th, 46th and 47th wards voting unanimously to select her as State Senator.
“Sara Feigenholtz has a remarkable track record as an advocate for our community which is why she received overwhelming support from the Committee to become our next State Senator,” said Alderman Tunney. “Senator Cullerton leaves big shoes to fill, but Sara has a proven track record as a veteran of the Illinois General Assembly. She has always served her constituents with distinction, and her authenticity and responsiveness to her district is emblematic of what all public servants strive to be. We were hard pressed to think of anyone else who could do a better job than Sara and are eager to see what she accomplishes in the State Senate.”
Following the Committee’s decision, Feigenholtz was sworn in as State Senator by judicial candidate and notary, Jill Rose Quinn, at a reception at Ann Sather restaurant on Belmont Ave. Feigenholtz will appear on the ballot in the November 3, 2020 election as the Democratic candidate for the 6th State Senate district.
“I am honored to represent the people of this district and thankful for the encouragement from the community,” said the newly appointed State Senator Feigenholtz. “I accept the challenge of learning the unique needs of the district and will continue to fight for issues that keep our neighborhoods safe, vibrant and diverse.”
Tunney served as Chair of the Committee voting to appoint a replacement. The Committee members voted by weighted vote, according to the number of voters in each ward’s 2018 General Election.
“Last night, members of the 47th Ward Democrats unanimously and enthusiastically voted to support Sara Feigenholtz to follow John Cullerton in the State Senate,” said Paul Rosenfeld, 47th Ward Committeeman. “Much like John, Sara instinctively understands the core values that our community wants represented. She is ready and able to effectively and emphatically represent the people in this district.”
…Adding… Former Senate President John Cullerton, new Senate President Don Harmon and Sen. Sara Feigenholtz…
- Capitol Text - Tuesday, Jan 21, 20 @ 6:37 pm:
Congratulations.
Now the fun part - which of the 30 candidates for the state rep seat gets the appointment?
Or does a caretaker get it?
- Mr. Polka - Tuesday, Jan 21, 20 @ 6:37 pm:
It’s about she got a promotion! Congratulations Sara!
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 21, 20 @ 6:42 pm:
Congrats to Sen. Feigenholtz.
The way the SDem Caucus is fractured right now… #40Outa40
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Jan 21, 20 @ 6:49 pm:
Congrats
- Friendly Bob Adams - Tuesday, Jan 21, 20 @ 7:35 pm:
Too bad Illinois relies so much on this system of replacing elected officials without holding an election.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, Jan 21, 20 @ 7:52 pm:
The constant revenge culture is one reason not to mourn if Speaker Madigan is eventually taken down by the federal investigation.
- Fdr democrat - Tuesday, Jan 21, 20 @ 8:31 pm:
Who did both John Cullerton and Sara beat in their careers???
- Bertrum Cates - Tuesday, Jan 21, 20 @ 8:39 pm:
She will be great.
- Matt Z - Tuesday, Jan 21, 20 @ 8:48 pm:
Senators should be elected and not chosen by political organizations.
- sammiches - Tuesday, Jan 21, 20 @ 8:49 pm:
FDR:
Ellis Levin?
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 21, 20 @ 9:30 pm:
congratulations. much deserved.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Jan 21, 20 @ 9:43 pm:
Sara Feigenholtz is a trailblazer.
When she won election to the Illinois House back in 1995, she was one of about 30 women in the entire chamber. Today, there are more than that on just the Democratic side of the aisle. Feigenholtz helped make the Illinois House a place where women could succeed by campaigning for women candidates all across the suburbs, tirelessly raising money and institutional support for them, mentoring them in the legislature, and supporting their legislation with passion.
She also made sure that no cause that was just was without a champion. Sara fought for people living with HIV, adoptees, abused and neglected kids,abandoned nursing home patients, homeless youth, basically everyone that society ever turned its back on because she believes in her heart that a person’s a person, no matter how small. Even when that person is a feral cat.
The Illinois House is a better place because of her, and the Illinois Senate will be without a doubt better for knowing her.
- Levois J - Tuesday, Jan 21, 20 @ 9:57 pm:
“Too bad Illinois relies so much on this system of replacing elected officials without holding an election.”
Hey why don’t we have special elections for state legislators? This appointment was done blazing fast seemingly.
- Leslie K - Tuesday, Jan 21, 20 @ 11:32 pm:
Nicely done. She’ll be great
- Monadnock Pigeon - Wednesday, Jan 22, 20 @ 8:18 am:
== Hey why don’t we have special elections for state legislators? ==
Article IV, Section 2(d) of the Illinois Constitution. That’s why. And that’s what will need to be changed to have special elections.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Jan 22, 20 @ 8:35 am:
===The way the SDem Caucus is fractured right now… #40Outa40===
We’ll see how it impacts session and the elections, OW. It’s not really fractured if it’s still functional and the Senate Dems don’t decide to avoid targeting races for folks they don’t like.
- low level - Wednesday, Jan 22, 20 @ 8:42 am:
Special elections are expensive and usually only get 10-20% turnout. Check out California where they have them all the time.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 22, 20 @ 8:46 am:
=== We’ll see how it impacts session and the elections==
Fair point. “We’ll see”. Right now, can’t be too chummy.
Also, your takedown of - Lucky Pierre - was restaurant quality. It says it all, and then some.
Be well.
OW
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Jan 22, 20 @ 9:04 am:
===Right now, can’t be too chummy.===
As much as I like the narrative of a political grudge going back 11 years causing this whole ruckus in the first place — and I’ll profess I am not the the biggest or longest running follower of internal caucus politics, if that was a grudge, it was the quietest grudge ever.
But boy do I ever wish the party process in Illinois produced a refreshed and revitalized party platform every two years like our neighbors in Iowa do so I would at least have a square idea of what any of our caucuses are planning to do.
It’d also be helpful in terms of local party planning and organization and create an interesting dynamic where local party officials and activists across the state would have to participate in a process where they draft, pass, and generally agree to a platform.
In Iowa this occurs at the county, congressional district, and state level literally every two years.
I think this would allow some of the perceived regional differences in both parties to be ironed out, and lend a lot of comedic material to this blog as Northern Republicans deal with their secessionist brethren and the Dems try to find a happy ground between their dynamic views on gun rights and pot.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 22, 20 @ 9:09 am:
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Wednesday, Jan 22, 20 @ 10:08 am:
No friend has ever served me, nor enemy wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full.
- JP Altgeld - Wednesday, Jan 22, 20 @ 12:34 pm:
There should be special elections. The “it’s too expensive” argument is a sad one at best.
- low level - Wednesday, Jan 22, 20 @ 1:46 pm:
==sad one at best==
No, the practically nonexistent turnout for special elections is the sad part.