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State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) issued the following statement on news of the verdict in Derek Chauvin’s trial:
“With today’s verdict, Derek Chauvin has been held accountable for the murder of George Floyd. At a basic minimum, this is what we need, and I am relieved to see the verdict. But we must ask ourselves now what justice will look like for George Floyd.
“Justice is broad and systemic, and this verdict tells us that the system must change from the ground up. George Floyd was executed on camera in a matter of minutes. His daughter will never see him again. Derek Chauvin has had many months and more of due process, all while communities across the country anxiously awaited this decision, not at all confident that Chauvin would face consequences even in light of the fact that his crime was caught on film.
“That this was in doubt, that we feel relieved that there will be consequences, speaks to how much the system needs changing. Chauvin is one officer whose misconduct will be punished. This must cease to be the exception, or more Black lives will be routinely taken from us.”
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"We can't protect these communities if we refuse to see them."
SPRINGFIELD – To better determine how the COVID-19 pandemic has harmed LGBTQIA+ communities in Illinois, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) passed legislation out of an Illinois Senate committee Thursday that would require state agencies and hospitals to gather more specific data on age, sex, disability status, sexual orientation and gender identity when dealing with COVID-19 patients.
Simmons, the first openly gay member of the Illinois Senate, said visibility is the first step to ensuring justice in how services are delivered to these historically marginalized communities.
“For members of the LGBTQIA+ communities, who already disproportionately face challenges in getting medical care or sadly lack the support of family, COVID-19 has the potential to be even more devastating,” Simmons said. “We can’t protect these communities if we refuse to see them.”
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Equality Illinois have called for the legislation, citing a lack of routine data collection that has prevented an accurate outlook of the coronavirus’ effect on the LGBTQIA+ community in Illinois. Studies have shown members of those communities are more likely to have chronic conditions and other risk factors that can increase vulnerability to COVID-19. As one example of how the pandemic can exacerbate existing challenges, older LGBTQIA+ people already face higher rates of social isolation.
“The effects of COVID-19 will have consequences for years to come,” Simmons said. “As we mobilize our health care system to respond, it is our duty to leave no community behind.”
Senate Bill 2133 passed the Senate Human Rights Committee Thursday and awaits consideration before the full Senate.
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CHICAGO – Last week, State Senator Mike Simmons toured the newly opened mass vaccination site located near Wrigley Field, which provides up to 2,000 doses daily to people who live in and around the 7th District – and vowed to bring more shots to the area.
“Vaccine efforts are ramping up across the state, but it has become apparent that too many people feel that the process of securing an appointment and getting a vaccine is out of reach,” Simmons said. “People within the district I represent are dealing with systemic barriers to accessing health care overall, and vaccine distribution is shining a light on systemic inequities that affect 7th District residents.”
Alongside Congressman Mike Quigley and Representative Margaret Croke, Simmons toured the new mass vaccination site near Wrigley Field located at American Airlines Conference Center at Gallagher Way. Advocate Aurora Health is operating the site, and Simmons says he is in discussions with the group to arrange partnerships that will target more vaccines to those in need across the 7th District.
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CHICAGO — Two hundred residents, mostly from the Rogers Park and West Ridge neighborhoods, received COVID-19 vaccines today at events organized by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago), in partnership with the Howard Brown Health Center, the Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago, and ONE Northside.
Simmons worked with the organizations to set up the events and reach out to residents of the 60626 and 60659 ZIP codes and adjacent communities after reports he requested from the Illinois Department of Public Health showed that infections still remain high and vaccination rates low in those communities, mirroring broader inequities in the health system.
“We’re talking about communities with immigrants, non-primary English speakers, and those living without reliable access to quality health care here in the 7th Senate District,” Simmons said. “Those circumstances present huge barriers to vaccine access, and if we’re to overcome them we have to proactively reach out and facilitate access. Many of our residents have language, transportation, and economic barriers to accessing the vaccine.”
The vaccine appointments were booked with the help of the Ethiopian Community Association, Howard Brown Health Center and ONE Northside, working in coordination with Simmons’ office. Many vaccine recipients are members of Chicago’s Ethiopian community, immigrants and asylees, and other low-income residents who face systemic barriers in accessing the vaccine.
“Many of our low-income members, particularly people of color and people with lower access to technology, have struggled to access the vaccine. We are grateful to Sen. Simmons and Howard Brown for making this opportunity available to our community and to provide access to this life-saving vaccine to those left behind by our healthcare system,” said Jennifer Ritter, Executive Director of ONE Northside. “We will continue to organize for equitable outcomes from our healthcare system and build a society where everyone can thrive.”
Aklilu Adeye, Executive Director of the Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago said the Ethiopian community in particular faces challenges in navigating the process of getting vaccinated.
“Most of our refugee and immigrant community members have the double challenge of vaccine hesitancy as well as obtaining access to the vaccines,” Adeye said. “The availability of the vaccines we are receiving now provides access to families but also the opportunity to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services and explanations for any concerns they may have. We truly appreciate this effort and thankful for all parties who made this possible.”
Residents received shots this morning at The Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago,
5800 N. Lincoln Ave., with more vaccinations administered this afternoon at Howard Brown Health Center, 6500 N. Clark St., in partnership with ONE Northside.
“We cannot overcome COVID-19 if we leave communities like these behind. The gross and totally unacceptable inequities in health care access and outcomes we already were seeing before the pandemic will only get worse if we aren’t proactive in getting our most vulnerable residents on the far north side access to this vaccine,” Simmons said.
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