Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons

Simmons: Student teaching stipend program is vital to our community

Details: Category: Press Releases; Tuesday, May 13, 2025 05:47 PM

Senator Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – To give Illinois student educators more resources and support, State Senator Mike Simmons is supporting legislation to create a student teaching stipend program.

“When we support our educators, we are in turn supporting a successful future for our communities,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “By giving student teachers more support they can continue to attend school, afford to put a roof over their head and support themselves.”

House Bill 1375 would establish a stipend program within the Illinois Board of Higher Education to provide students in teacher preparation programs with up to $10,000 per semester for up to two consecutive semesters.

Simmons Advances Bill to Remove Medical Supply Access Barrier for Patients

Details: Category: Press Releases; Monday, May 05, 2025 12:02 PM

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SPRINGFIELD – After hearing from constituents who have faced barriers to accessing medical equipment from pharmacies even when they have a prescription, State Senator Mike Simmons is moving legislation to help qualifying individuals access necessary supplies from a pharmacist.

“This bill clarifies that patients who have prescriptions for injectable medications are entitled to also purchase clean needles from a pharmacist,” said Simmons. “Allowing pharmacists to make informed decisions ultimately safeguards public health.”

Currently, pharmacists are allowed to sell up to 100 sterile hypodermic needles or syringes to a person who is at least 18 years old.

Simmons Bill Encourages Water Conservation and Reuse

Details: Category: Press Releases; Monday, May 05, 2025 12:02 PM

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons is leading legislation that would allow the use of municipal wastewater for industrial processing, reclaiming it from a variety of sources.

“Utilizing treated wastewater reflects our commitment to sustainable resource management,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This initiative not only conserves water but also supports environmental resilience.”

By reclaiming water from a variety of sources, treating it and reusing it, industrial wastewater could be used for power generation or cooling of data centers. Because this water may have limited contact with humans, it tends to be less costly and less energy intensive to treat and reuse, ultimately saving money and resources for communities.

Simmons Advances Bill to Increase Cyclist and Pedestrian Safety

Details: Category: Press Releases; Friday, May 02, 2025 01:31 PM

Bikes in a city - State Senator Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – To provide the safest conditions possible for cyclists, State Senator Mike Simmons is moving legislation to update warning sign requirements on bike trails where there are known hazards.

“When someone chooses to ride their bike or walk as an alternative to motor transportation, or simply wants to get some exercise, they should know they are safe and protected,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Better signage around pathway hazards or emergencies is a simple way to keep everyone safe.”

Under Simmons’ legislation, House Bill 2675, local government and municipality-owned bicycle trails must contain signage or other warning markers alerting cyclists to known emergencies or hazards. If a highway crossing is already controlled by a stop light or stop sign, additional crossing signage for cyclists would not be required.

Welcome

Thank you for visiting my legislative website. It is my honor and pleasure to represent Illinois’ 7th Senate District.

Here you can find information about the 7th District, access local and state resources, and keep up to date with what’s happening at the Capitol. I hope you’ll find this website useful.

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Sincerely,

Sen. Mike Simmons