22 Bills Passed in 2024 Spring Legislative Session, Simmons Profiled in Extraordinary People Magazine for Mental Health

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

The 2024 Spring Legislative session has adjourned and I am thrilled to share updates on several pieces of legislation I (and many others) worked around the clock to pass. Read on for an overview of those.

Next you will see an interesting write up that Chicago’s first Black Women-Owned business magazine, (Extra) Ordinary People, ran in May profiling me and my experiences with mental health in college.

Then in the second half of the newsletter you will also find a run through of key highlights from the $53 Billion Fiscal Year 2025 Budget we passed at the end of May. Spoiler alert: I got our child tax credit passed making Illinois the 15th state in the nation to implement this policy!

Finally, you will see a photo recap from yesterday’s historic ribbon cutting of the brand spanking new Metra station at Peterson and Ridge in the 7th District in Edgewater! And more community updates.

Sincerely,
Mike Simmons

State Senator | 7th District

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Simmons on Budget Passage: New Child Tax Credit will Ease Economic Strain for Countless Households across Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate approved a Fiscal Year 2025 budget that keeps Illinois on track to protect vital funding for mental health services while providing economic relief to thousands of households. After voting to support the plan, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) issued the following statement:

“The very first bill I introduced in the Senate three years ago would create a child tax credit. Since then, myself, my colleagues and grassroots groups have led a movement that strongly advocated for enacting a permanent and refundable child tax credit for households in every part of Illinois who are struggling to get by and need economic relief. With passage of this budget, thousands of households – parents, caretakers, and children in Illinois – will get extra money every year to put food on the table, pay rent, get childcare and other basic needs that no family should have to forgo in our state.

“This is a long day coming and I am excited to see a historic child tax credit enacted in this year’s state budget. By directing the credit towards households that already receive the anti-poverty earned income tax credit, we are ensuring the households who are most economically strapped get money back to help them pay their bills and make a dignified living. As part of this budget passage, I also am proud to champion and pass legislation, House Bill 5290, to create a new Medical Debt Relief Program, which will wipe out medical debt for an estimated 340,000 people across Illinois.

“Finally, as Vice-Chair of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, I recently brought together mental health stakeholders, those directly impacted by the crisis, community leaders and advocates to look at the status quo and explore actionable legislative and budgetary solutions. I take great pride in seeing their voices reflected in this budget.

“I will continue to lift up 7th District parents, caretakers, advocates and children, fighting to see their issues and concerns supported by progressive policy with the dollars to match.”

Simmons Passes Legislation to Provide Relief from Medical Debt for Low-Income Households

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons is leading the charge to provide relief to more than 300,000 residents burdened by medical debt with legislation aimed at easing financial strain and promoting economic stability for individuals and families across the state.

“We know that households burdened by medical debt are less likely to go to the doctor or seek follow-up care, and are more likely to suffer from illness. Our communities need to know they can seek medical care whenever they need it,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “An unexpected injury or illness should never mean having to decide between putting food on the table or paying a medical bill. Too often people ignore their health due to cost – especially those with fixed incomes and tight budgets. We have to look out for them and make sure that a bill is never a barrier to health care.”

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Simmons Supports Passage of Healthcare Protection Act

SPRINGFIELD – After Illinois legislators passed historic health care reform legislation, House Bill 5395, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) issued the following statement:

“Access to health care is a fundamental right, and costs should never be the reason people forgo care. I've heard too many stories from people in my community who struggle to see a doctor or get the treatment they need because of obstacles like a lack of available doctors who accept their insurance or arbitrarily high insurance costs leaving them with low coverage or no insurance for their health emergencies. These barriers lead to untreated medical conditions and premature death for too many of our family members, neighbors and friends.

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