Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons
  • Home
  • |
  • News
    • Newsletters
    • Press Releases
  • |
  • Biography
  • |
  • District Info
    • Local Elected Officials
  • |
  • Community Events
  • |
  • Contact Us
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Request a Meeting or Event

Simmons: Housing is a human right

Details
Category: Press Releases
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 01:29 PM

SenSimmonsHousingisaHumanRight

CHICAGO – To address the housing crisis that the 7th District and entire state of Illinois faces, State Senator Mike Simmons led a Senate Human Rights Committee subject matter hearing on Tuesday entitled ”Housing as a Human Right.”

“The hearing is in direct response to what my office witnesses on a daily basis, which is people in a housing crisis,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Common threats to stable, accessible, affordable housing include double-digit rent increases, the threat of eviction, building neglect and disrepair, homelessness, and domestic violence. No matter what part of Illinois you live in, there is a lack of sufficient accessible, quality housing, and the purpose of this hearing is to amplify this issue and affect real change.”

 The “Housing as a Human Right” hearing held in Chicago heard from residents who have, and currently face challenges to their housing, as well as advocates and community leaders about the challenges to access and affordability to housing currently in Chicago and all of Illinois. Testimonies touched in astronomical rent increases, the shortage of shelter resources, the deterioration of aging buildings, social services, and property taxes in creating and maintaining more affordable housing in Illinois.

Read more …

Simmons legislation promotes workforce recruitment and retention for educators and childcare providers

Details
Category: Press Releases
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 05:02 PM

050224CM1461r

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons is sponsoring legislation to strengthen workforce recruitment and retention for educators and childcare providers in Illinois.

“We need a plan for Illinois families and childcare providers to be able to find the best employees possible,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “By getting feedback from all parties, we can create a comprehensive plan that sets children, families and providers up for success.”

Under the legislation, the existing State Comprehensive Day Care Plan survey of day care facilities would include feedback from groups and individuals with relevant expertise and lived experiences with the goal of promoting workforce recruitment and retention for educators and childcare providers.

“We need to hear from the folks directly affected by workforce challenges, and with this legislation, we can bring more people to the table while we continue to address this ongoing problem,” Simmons said. “With the help of communities across the state who are struggling with childcare solutions, we can find better ways Illinois can assist in addressing the employment shortcomings.”

Read more …

Simmons Celebrates Medical Debt Relief for Thousands of Illinois Residents

Details
Category: Press Releases
Friday, November 15, 2024 10:20 AM

Senator Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services announced Thursday more than 52,000 Illinois residents have been relieved of their medical debt under the state’s new Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program championed by State Senator Mike Simmons this year.

“I am thrilled that, as a result of The Medical Debt Relief Act, 52,000 Illinoisans have received medical debt relief in October alone,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Medical debt should never place a burden on families who’ve endured a medical crisis. I am proud that we are taking rapid action as a state to wipe out medical debt for families and individuals and support them with a more secure financial future.”

Under the first round of the Illinois’ Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program, 52,745 Illinois residents have had over $72 million worth of medical debt relieved. The program – established through legislation Simmons led this spring – is part of a larger commitment to erase roughly $1 billion in medical debt across Illinois.

Read more …

Simmons Receives LGBTQ+ Leader Award from State Treasurer Frerichs

Details
Category: Press Releases
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 04:00 PM

Simmons LGBTQ Leader Award 2024 picture

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons was recognized by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs with the Illinois LGBTQ+ Leader Award during a celebration Wednesday commemorating LGBTQ+ History Month in Chicago.

“As the first openly gay senator in the state of Illinois and the third openly gay senator in the country, I bring my lived experiences as well as my constituents' with me every day,”said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Since taking office three years ago, I have fought to protect LGBTQ+ rights in Illinois through empowering organizations and taking legislative action to advance the rights of LGBTQ+ folks across the state.”

The event celebrated the societal impact and leadership of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people and their allies. Treasurer Frerichs presented awards to leaders in the military, medicine, education, advocacy and activism, government, athletics, and fine arts.

Read more …

More Articles …

  1. Simmons Celebrates Nearly $665,000 in Secretary of State Awards to 7th District Organizations for Adult and Youth Literacy Programming
  2. Simmons Attends White House States Convening on Child Care
  3. Senator Simmons Receives Friend of Rogers Park Award, Reflects on 1224 - 1234 W. Loyola and Displacement
  4. Simmons’ Bill Signed into Law to Protect Patients from Predatory Medical Bills
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10

Page 5 of 69

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.

Please feel free to contact me at either of my offices with questions, concerns or ways I can better serve you.

For scheduling requests, please use the form linked HERE.

To reach our office via text message, send a text to 773-945-9979.

To contact us about issues that matter most to you: CONTACT US

Sincerely,

Sen. Mike Simmons

Senator Mike Simmons
7th Senate District

Request a Meeting or Event

Office Info

District Office
1040 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 769-1717 (Phone)
(773) 945-9979 (Text)

Springfield Office:
Senator 7th District
Stratton Building
Section F, Office G
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8492

facebook logo 64pxtwitter logo 64pxinstagram logo 64px

eNewsletter Signup

eNewsletter Signup
  1. First Name(*)
    Invalid Input
  2. Last Name(*)
    Invalid Input
  3. Your Email(*)
    Please let us know your email address.
  4. Cell Phone(*)
    Please let us know your contact phone number.
  5. Invalid Input
  6. Please enter these characters:(*)
    Please enter these characters: RefreshInvalid Input
  7. By selecting the “Opt-in Checkbox” and then clicking "Submit" you agree to (Terms Of Use) | (Privacy Policy) and to receive texts from Senator Simmons at your mobile number. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.

Newsletter Archive

  1. You are here:  
  2. Home