Sara Howe (left) and State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

(Springfield, IL) – The Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA) today announced that its two 2009 legislative honors has been awarded to State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) and State Senator Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston).

“Representative Feigenholtz has been a loyal and energetic advocate for addiction health care services who has worked tirelessly on our behalf in the Illinois House,” said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of IADDA.

IADDA’s Legislative Leadership Award is presented to one House and one Senate member annually to recognize their efforts to support and advocate for community-based addiction prevention, treatment and recovery services.

“Since 1995, the number of Illinois women in drug, alcohol

Sara Howe and State Senator Jeff Schoenberg

treatment has surged 41%,” said Howe. “Rep. Feigenholtz has fought to ensure that necessary prevention, treatment, and recovery funding is available to care for women burdened by addiction.”

First elected to the House in 1994, Feigenholtz serves as the Chair of the House Human Services Committee.

“Senator Schoenberg has been a enthusiastic and trusted advocate for addiction health care services and we owe him well deserved gratitude for his efforts in the Illinois State Senate,” said Moscato Howe.

“In 2009, a resurgent heroin crisis killed more than 100 people in the northern Illinois suburbs, a crisis that is zeroing in on local teens. said Howe.

“Senator Schoenberg has recognized the vital need to maintain necessary prevention, treatment, and recovery funding to avoid these tragic deaths.”

First elected to the House in 1990, Schoenberg was elected to the Senate in 2003.