Simmons recognizes Black HIV/AIDS Advocacy Day

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons presented the Black Leadership Advocacy Coalition for Healthcare Equity with a proclamation declaring Feb. 7^th as Black HIV/AIDS Advocacy Day during a press conference Tuesday.

“I was proud to stand with dedicated advocates for the Black HIV/AIDS community today,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “We have so much work to do to bring new HIV infections down to zero and to ensure robust and affordable health care for those living with HIV and AIDS in our communities. Uplifting those engaged in this work today is step one.”

Feb 7^th is recognized as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Health Institute. In 2017, an estimated 39,842 Illinoisans were living with HIV. In 2020, Black Illinoisans were 14.2% of the state’s population but accounted for 52.1 % of new HIV diagnoses and 48% of existing diagnoses.

Senator Simmons issued a proclamation to the Black Leadership Advocacy Coalition for Healthcare Equity, a non-profit whose mission is to identify and dismantle systemically racist policies and funding processes in the healthcare system.  

“For too long, our healthcare systems have failed to support the health needs of the Black community,” Simmons said. “I will continue to fight for legislation that ensures all people have access to equitable, affordable, culturally-competent care.”

Declaring Feb. 7^th Black HIV/AIDS Advocacy Day will help draw attention to the advocacy by community groups and coalitions working to uplift and provide equitable resources for Black communities living with HIV/AIDS.

For more information and HIV/AIDS prevention tips, please visit the National Institutes of Health’s Office of AIDS Research here.

Simmons fights for struggling families with new Child Tax Credit proposal

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons continued his fight for more funding for struggling families, during a press conference he attended with State Representative Marcus C. Evans Jr. and the Economic Security Project on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

“Working parents are struggling worse than ever before. It is time for the state to create a permanent Child Tax Credit that puts money back into the pockets of parents in Illinois, so that parents can take care of their children and communities can begin to recover,” said State Senator Mike Simmons (D- Chicago). “I am so proud to stand with this broad and diverse coalition of organizations and parents today to call for a permanent Child Tax Credit.”    

Senator Simmons discussed legislation that will create a child tax credit, making Illinois one of the few states to have a state-level child tax credit.

If passed, this legislation, Senate Bill 1444, would create an Illinois Child Tax Credit for eligible low and middle income Illinois families. Families would receive a $700 tax credit for each child under the age of 17. The policy proposed would benefit joint filers earning less than $75,000 and single filers earning less than $50,000.  

“We know that the expansion of the federal child tax credit during the pandemic lifted millions of children out of poverty. And we know that if we pass this state level Child Tax Credit, nearly half of all Illinois children would benefit from this economic relief for parents all across the state. Now is the time to create a Child Tax Credit for Illinois.”

Those in attendance were Senator Simmons, Representative Marcus C. Evans, Senator Peters, Senator Johnson, Senator Preston, Senator Cervantes, Senator Edly-Allen, Senator Ventura and representatives from the Economic Security Project and Community Organizing and Family Issues.

Simmons to chair Senate Human Rights Committee

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons has been named Chair of the Senate Committee on Human Rights in the 103rd General Assembly.

“I am thrilled to be named Chair of the Senate Committee on Human Rights,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “During my first term in the Senate, I led on legislation that amplifies the voices of and protects LGBTQIA+ people, youth, single moms, gun violence survivors, seniors, immigrants and refugees, people living with disabilities, people seeking reproductive care, and so many others who have been excluded from policy discussions for too long. The systemic issues facing those communities are human rights issues. I am honored to lead this committee and ensure the committee provides opportunities for disenfranchised communities to bring forth and shape legislation that centers voices long excluded from policy debates, and provides ample opportunities for new protections to be secured.

The Senate Committee on Human Rights will take on key issues such as immigration, LGBTQIA+ rights and policies related to race, among other key issues.

Simmons is a strong advocate for expanding the rights of those who have been treated unjustly by the government. In the 102nd General Assembly, he sponsored the Jett Hawkins Act and the CROWN Act, which prevent schools and workplaces from prohibiting hairstyles historically associated with race, ethnicity, or hair texture. He also sponsored SB3865, which removes the word “alien” from all Illinois state statutes, programs, etc., in reference to noncitizens and undocumented immigrants. One of his first bills was passage of SB2133, a systemic step forward that requires state agencies and departments to begin collecting and assembling data for sexual orientation and gender identity for Illinois populations. Prior to joining the Senate, Simmons consistently fought to advance human rights. At the Obama Foundation, he pushed to ensure queer voices were reflected in youth-serving violence prevention programs, prior to that he led negotiations to secure protections for transgender residents in Chicago, and most recently fought tirelessly to ensure protections for gender-affirming care and parents of transgender youth were incorporated into the Patient and Provider Protection Act, groundbreaking legislation signed into law last month that advances sweeping protections for reproductive health care and ensures Illinois remains a refuge for bodily autonomy.

As committee chair, Simmons aims to expand protections for all in Illinois. This is Senator Simmons’ first committee chairpersonship.

Simmons also has been named Vice-Chair of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee. Expanding access to mental health is a top priority for Simmons. In his first term he passed SB4028, which requires schools to instruct on how and where to access mental health care while ensuring diverse youth voices have a seat at the table in shaping mental health policy at the state level.

Simmons previously served as the Vice-Chair of the Senate Healthcare Access and Availability Committee and served on the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, Tourism and Hospitality Committee, Appropriations Subcommittee on Health, and Transportation Committee.

Senator Simmons’ new committee assignments for the 103rd General Assembly are as follows:

• Behavioral and Mental Health (Vice-Chair)
• Education Committee
• Transportation Committee
• Appropriations – Health and Human Services Committee

Simmons celebrates AAPI heritage at the Argyle Lunar New Year Parade

CHICAGO – To celebrate the Lunar New Year, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) is inviting community members to join him at the 2023 Argyle Lunar New Year Parade.  

Celebrate the year of the rabbit on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the corner of West Argyle Street and North Winthrop Avenue, hosted by Uptown United, 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman, and over 20+ local community groups.

The event has happened for more than forty years and the day will feature cultural institutions, dancers and performers, family friendly activities and a parade that will begin at 1 p.m. on the corner of West Argyle Street and North Winthrop Avenue.

“I am honored to participate in the Argyle Lunar New Year Parade again, and usher in a year of hope and prosperity with our diverse AAPI community,” said Simmons. “Coming together as a community is a gift that I don’t take for granted, and I hope everyone will join me.”

The parade will kick-off at Argyle and Winthrop. The parade route will head west on Argyle, north on Broadway, east on Winona, and south on Sheridan and then back to Argyle. Due to CTA construction, the parade will not head into Ainslie, as it has in years prior.

For more information, visit exploreuptown.org/lunar.