Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons

Simmons bill to remove barriers to housing passes Senate

Details: Category: Press Releases; Thursday, April 10, 2025 08:48 PM

Senator Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons is continuing his push to remove barriers to accessing housing and state resources for unhoused Illinoisans.

“Unhoused individuals often have no form of legal identification, affecting their housing, job prospects, transit options and more,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “To get an identification card, these individuals are required to have a signature from a notary, which comes at a cost. This legislation will ease the requirements to make the whole process easier.”

Currently, application fees for standard Illinois state IDs are waived for unhoused individuals, but their application must be accompanied by a notarized affirmation. This can be difficult for individuals with little financial resources, as notary fees vary but can cost up to $25. Under Senate Bill 1173, notaries would no longer be able to charge a notary fee to unhoused individuals trying to apply for and obtain a state ID.

Simmons Advances Legislation to Require Municipal Contract Transparency

Details: Category: Press Releases; Thursday, April 10, 2025 08:46 PM

Senator Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – To provide transparency on government infrastructure projects and how tax dollars are allocated, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced a bill to ensure a list of public municipal infrastructure projects is viewable online.

“Taxpayers deserve to know how their dollars are being used, especially for public infrastructure projects,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This bill will enable folks to be able to see a list of contractors who are awarded major contracts for public infrastructure projects at $5 million or more.”

Under the new legislation, Senate Bill 634, municipalities would be required to compile and post a list of contracts for public infrastructure projects valued at $5 million or more, ensuring the list is available to the public on their websites.

Simmons Files Bill to Remove Barriers to Housing

Details: Category: Press Releases; Wednesday, March 19, 2025 04:26 PM

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SPRINGFIELD – Continuing his work to remove barriers when accessing housing and state services, State Senator Mike Simmons is moving legislation that would remove a notary requirement for unhoused residents who apply for a free state identification card.

“A major barrier for unhoused folks is that they often have no form of official identification, which means they cannot apply for a job, a transit card, housing, and much more. In order to apply for a free state ID, the person is currently required to get the signature of a notary. This is simply too difficult,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Easing the requirement for unhoused residents to get ID cards means they can get back on their feet sooner.”

Currently, application fees for standard Illinois state IDs are waived for unhoused individuals, but their application must be accompanied by a notarized affirmation. This can be difficult for individuals with little financial resources, as notary fees vary but can cost up to $25. Under Senate Bill 1173, the notary requirement for unhoused individuals to apply for and obtain a state ID would be lifted.

Simmons Bill Allows for Safer Movement for Cyclists in Illinois

Details: Category: Press Releases; Tuesday, March 18, 2025 05:13 PM

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons passed a bill through committee on Tuesday that would allow bicyclists to perform an Idaho Stop and safely move through intersections.

“Current rules of the road prevent cyclists from being able to safely react to traffic in an intersection,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This bill grants riders the ability to make the safest decision possible when approaching a stop sign.”

Under the new legislation, Senate Bill 2111, anyone operating a bicycle on the roadways of Illinois would have the ability to perform an Idaho stop.

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Sen. Mike Simmons