By Jeff Borgardt
Special to Inside
This year local lawmakers may not notice when Election Day arrives.
That's because the local North Side members of the Illinois House of Representatives are not facing any challengers this year. Therefore, long-time incumbents John Fritchey, Larry McKeon and Sara Feigenholtz will return to Springfield for another term.
All three are the lone candidates in their districts and all three also have about a decade of lawmaking experience in the State Capitol.
State Rep. John Fritchey (D-11) of the 1500 block of W. Altgeld St. has his legislative office on the 2500 block of N. Southport Ave. Fritchey, 41, of Lincoln Park has represented the 11th District since 1996 when he was elected at the age of 32 after working as a state prosecutor. The son of a military veteran, Fritchey was born on a Louisiana military base.
Fritchey has introduced noted legislation in the areas of campaign reform, health care, and consumer protection. He writes a blog on his Web site in which he comments on diverse topics such as gubernatorial debates, payday loans, the legislative process and other matters of public debate.
Fritchey's name has been mentioned for higher elected office over the past year and he had discussed forming an exploratory committee for a run as state treasurer.
Sara Feigenholtz (D-12) is now in her sixth term representing the 12th Legislative District which includes Lake View, Buena Park, Lincoln Park, and the Near North Side. Her legislative office is located on the 1000 block of W. Belmont Ave.
She has specialized in the area of health care and has authored legislation to help women get mammograms and contraceptives. She devotes effort to reforming the state health care rules.
Last month, the state lotto introduced a new scratch off lottery game called Ticket for the Cure. Feigenholtz spearheaded the introduction of the game whose proceeds will benefit breast cancer research.
"Everyone knows that breast cancer is a serious disease that affects thousands of individuals and their families ever day," she said. "Experts stress the importance of early detection in the battle against breast cancer. I am pleased that the Illinois Lottery will be contributing 100 percent of the proceeds of the Ticket for the Cure game to funding early detection research grants in Illinois."
Feigenholtz lives on the 3200 block of N. Wilton Ave. She was formerly the executive director of the Central Lakeview Merchants Association and a Democratic fundraiser and activist.
Larry McKeon (D-13) has his legislative office on the 1900 block of W. Montrose Ave.
McKeon, 62, of Uptown is a military veteran with a doctorate degree from the University of Chicago. A former Los Angeles police officer, McKeon is the chair of the House Labor Committee and Mayor Daley's liaison to Chicago's gay and lesbian communities.
In his fifth term, McKeon was inducted into the Gay Hall of Fame after becoming the first openly homosexual politician elected to the State House. He was reportedly dismissed from his positions in the police and military due to his sexual orientation.
His district includes portions of Ravenswood, North Center, Lincoln Square, Uptown, Lake View, Andersonville, Bowmanville and the Argyle area. |
