Senator Simmons and AIDS Foundation Chicago Urge Investments in HIV Care and Prevention

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons was joined by legislators and advocates from the AIDS Foundation Chicago at a press conference Wednesday to rally behind Senate Bill 2814, his budget proposal that would bolster HIV and AIDS services in Illinois amid federal health care cuts.

“I reject any reduced quality of life for a person living with HIV/AIDS,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “For the fourth year in a row, I will be fighting for a budget that includes funding for HIV prevention and treatment, and helps us get to zero new HIV/AIDS diagnoses by 2030.”

Community leaders, health care providers and legislators joined Simmons to call for swift action to protect HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services in Illinois’ Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Advocates outlined the need to reinforce HIV/AIDS funding outlined in Senate Bill 2814, including funding for critical outreach to minority populations, supportive housing programs and more.

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Simmons’ Expands Jett Hawkins Act to Protect Religious Hairstyles in Public Schools

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Simmons passed SB3361 out of committee on Tuesday, a bill that would expand on his 2022 Jett Hawkins Act to include protections for religious hairstyles in public schools throughout the state.

“Jett Hawkins was 4 years old when I passed this law to protect any child and student who chose to wear their hair in a style that is traditionally non-white,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Today, it is necessary to add to this law by including protections for hairstyles and facial hair that reflect religious expression and continue supporting inclusion in education across Illinois.”

Simmons’ legislation, Senate Bill 3361, would require private, nonreligious schools to affirm they will not prohibit religious hairstyles or hair-related religious practices, including facial hair worn pursuant to a student’s or employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs, in order to register with the Illinois State Board of Education.

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Simmons Champions Legislation to Protect SNAP Recipients from Fraud and to Establish Payday Advance Services Regulation

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons held a press conference Wednesday with Senate colleagues to champion legislation he has filed to protect SNAP recipients from fraud as well as regulate payday advance services.

“My colleagues and I are determined to pass legislation that protects SNAP recipients,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “The Trump administration has slashed federal support for SNAP, which puts more people at risk of going hungry and not being able to feed their families. Illinois needs to take action to protect SNAP from fraud and prevent further hardship.”

Simmons outlined Senate Bill 3266, which would require the Illinois Department of Human Services to implement the use of chip-enabled cards for electronic benefit systems. This would allow SNAP participants using EBT cards to use chip readers in their transactions. In 2024, over 89,000 fraudulent transactions involving SNAP benefits were reported to IDHS. Simmons’ proposal to add electronic chips to EBT cards aims to safeguard the benefits on those cards, directly reducing fraud.

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Simmons applauds erasure of medical debt for 500,000 Illinoisans, pushes for further funding for program

SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to steadfast advocacy from State Senator Mike Simmons to ease financial strain and promote economic stability, more than 500,000 residents across the state have had their medical debt erased. 

“Far too many people — particularly those living on fixed or limited incomes — put their health on the back burner because of costs,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “We have a responsibility to protect those people and ensure financial burden never stands between someone and the care they need.”

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