Simmons announces over $1.3 million in grants awarded to 7th District small businesses

CHICAGO – With support from State Senator Mike Simmons, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity recently announced that over $1.3 million in small business grants would be awarded to 33 restaurants throughout the 7th District.

“Our small businesses are still recovering from the aftermath of the pandemic. They are the backbone of our district and often a hub for cultural identity, and this DCEO Back to Business Grant is crucial to their preservation and survival,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Without the support of this program and others like it, we are in danger of losing our history, traditions, and livelihoods. I am committed to fighting for more funding to secure the future of our small business community.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest hit industries. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses state-wide since the start of the pandemic.

Thirty-three area restaurants in Simmons’ district will receive a combined total of $1,320,000 through this round of Back to Business grants.

“It is not a surprise that more than half of restaurant Back to Business grant recipients in the 7th District are owners and operators who have been historically disenfranchised,” said Simmons. “We must continue to aggressively advocate for every small business in distress, in every sector. I know we can do it, and look forward to the good work ahead.”

For more information about B2B grants visit DCEO’s website.

Simmons honored with 100% pro-environment voting record

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mike Simmons was one of 27 legislators to earn a 100% rating from the Illinois Environmental Council this week on its annual Legislative Environmental Scorecard. The IEC rated state legislators based on their voting record on legislation affecting the environment during the 2023 legislative session.

“I am proud to receive a 100% scorecard rating by the Illinois Environmental Council for the second year in a row,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “I vote in accordance with my commitment to urgently fighting climate change, preserving safe and healthy air and water, advocating for long-term environmentally sustainable transit, and protecting our precious natural outdoor spaces and habitats.”

The 2023 Legislative Environmental Scorecard includes 28 legislative measures. Specific priorities led by Simmons from this year’s scorecard include House Bill 2776, which updates notice and posting requirements for property owners and occupants of buildings affected by lead service line replacements, and House Bill 3158, which would provide an environmentally friendly alternative burial option.

“I am especially proud of Senator Simmons for his perfect environmental voting record this year because when the pressure was on, especially in the final hours of the legislative session, he stood up for his constituents’ health and our environment,” said IEC Executive Director Jen Walling. “Illinois will be a cleaner, safer place to call home because of the leadership Simmons demonstrated this session, and we look forward to building on that legacy together in the future.”

###

Simmons’ second annual “Chalk It Up” event in Rogers Park celebrates multiculturalism and diversity across the 7th Senate District

CHICAGO – To celebrate the vibrant multiculturalism of the 7th District and connect with residents, State Senator Mike Simmons and his staff hosted “Chalk It Up” – a free, community-building event.

“It was a joy to host my second annual Chalk It Up event on Saturday, which brought together the 7th District for a day of artistic expression, multicultural pride and celebration, and of course, included food from local small businesses,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “As a proud son of an Ethiopian refugee father and Black mother, I know the importance of creating intentional spaces to share and highlight the beauty of the 7th District.”

Simmons and his staff hosted their second annual Chalk It Up event on Saturday, Sept. 2 at White “Willye B.” Park in Rogers Park to celebrate the vibrant multiculturalism of the 7th District by decorating the sidewalks with chalk drawings of the flags and symbols which constituents in his district represent. The free event featured curated music playlists, refreshments, and food catered by locally owned family business, Patio Beef.

Additionally, Simmons provided constituents with the opportunity to connect personally with him and his district office staff while assisting with state services and local resources.

“Chalk It Up is a fun, creative event that celebrates our people,” said Simmons. “It also gives our neighbors more personable access to me and our staff. Thank you to all who supported and attended this event.”

###

Senator Simmons Hands Out 250+ Backpacks at Back to School Bash, Attends Gun Control Event with Vice President Kamala Harris, and Invites You to 'Chalk it Up' on Saturday!

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you enjoy these recent updates from me and our district team. August was a remarkable month where I joined Vice President Kamala Harris in Chicago with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, Students Demand Action and hundreds of organizers from around the country who are fighting for sensible gun laws. This rally was held on the same day that the Illinois Supreme Court narrowly voted to uphold the assault weapons ban I strongly supported and helped to pass in January.

I also am proud that my team and I organized and held a Back to School Bash at Sullivan High School where hundreds of people from across our district showed up to get colorful backpacks, supplies, local food, and connected with me and other folks from the neighborhood. We also connected attendees with state services.

During last week’s heatwave, we visited senior buildings across the district to do wellness checks and make sure folks know we’re here for them. Remember, if you or your neighbor is experiencing difficulty during a weather event, feel free to call me and my staff at 773-769-1717 and we will try to connect you with the right assistance.

This weekend I’ll be hosting our second annual “Chalk It Up” event at Whyte Park on Howard Street in Rogers Park, where community members can come and enjoy food, music, and draw a flag (or flags) on the ground that represent who they are as we celebrate the multiculturalism and diversity of the far north side. This is a unique, feel good community-building event and I hope you will stop by and say hi.

Read on for legislative updates and more community updates. See you soon!

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons

State Senator | 7th District

---

 Legislative Updates

 

Caption: Senator Mike Simmons joins gun violence prevention advocates at a gun safety event with Vice President Kamala Harris in Chicago to promote safer communities and reduce gun violence.

Caption: Senator Mike Simmons and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense join together for a day of advocacy for sensible gun legislation in Chicago with Vice President Harris.

To continue building safer communities and promoting gun-violence prevention, I attended a gun safety event with Vice President Kamala Harris in Chicago in tandem with the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold the Assault Weapon Ban. I joined Vice President Harris, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, and hundreds of passionate organizers for a day of advocacy for sensible gun legislation in Illinois and across the country.

Earlier this year, I co-sponsored and helped pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which outlaws assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in Illinois. With the ruling in favor of upholding this ban, Illinois will continue to have one of the strongest assault weapon bans in the country, which will save lives and rebuild communities.

As Vice President Harris said during our afternoon of advocacy, “We don’t have another moment or life to spare.” I will continue to be aggressive in supporting stronger gun laws. I want children to be able to walk to school and feel safe, moms and dads to see their children grow up and become adults, and our schools, places of worship, public transit, and nightclubs to be places where we can live and gather in peace. The racially motivated shooting this weekend in Florida is a stinging reminder that complacency is not an option and we must agitate for much tighter gun laws at the state and national levels. We cannot let up.

Read more …