Simmons announces $2.5 million road improvements plan for the 7th District

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) announced Friday that $2.5 million in construction projects in the 7^th Illinois Senate District will improve roads and make accessibility improvements as part of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s multi-year construction plan.

“These projects represent some much-needed improvements to major arterial streets in the 7th District,” Simmons said. “These improvements will upgrade our roads, make sure the streets and sidewalks are accessible for pedestrians and people living with disabilities, and generate good jobs at the same time.”

The projects will improve 1.8 miles of U.S. 14 between U.S. 41 and Ridge Avenue, and a mile of U.S. 41 from Ashland to Lake Shore Drive. The funding is part of the $20 billion Rebuild Illinois construction plan’s 2022 slate of construction. 

A further $2 million has been slated for later years, intended for pedestrian improvements to Ridge Boulevard from Howard Street to south of Pratt Boulevard.

For more details about the projects in the 7^th District, click here.

Senator Mike Simmons Marks 100 Days in Office Fighting for the 7th District, Has Plans for the Next 100

In his first 100 days, Senator Simmons has sponsored or cosponsored more than 100 pieces of legislation, resolved over 100 constituent casework requests, and answered more than 500 letters, phone calls, and email messages from 7th district constituents. 

It has been the privilege of a lifetime and a joy to serve the communities that raised me -- Lincoln Square, Uptown, Edgewater, Rogers Park, West Ridge, Ravenswood, Andersonville, and Evanston. I am proud to represent one of the most diverse Senate districts in the state. In this letter, I want to share with you updates from the capital, our district’s impact in Springfield, and what you can expect from me in the 100 days to come. Here is a quick video covering 100 days of representing the 7th District of Illinois!

From day 1, I promised that I would change the expectations for representative government in our district.  As the first Black and openly LGBTQIA+ Senator for the 7th district, I am committed to working tirelessly to amplify the voices and urgent needs of the residents of our district: Our immigrants, those struggling with access to housing, seniors, people in-between jobs, single mothers, returning citizens, LGBTQIA+ people, young people, and others hit hardest by the pandemic. Let me catch you up on my first 100 days:

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Simmons’ plan to ban discrimination against hairstyles in schools passes Illinois Senate

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons’ (D-Chicago) legislation to end the practice of discriminating against students’ hairstyles in schools passed the Illinois Senate Wednesday afternoon.

“We took a major step forward today in passing this bill out of the Senate and sent a message to our young people that we see them and respect them for who they are. Black youth in particular have endured decades of systemic discrimination targeting their hairstyles in schools, and it’s time to turn the page on that history. I thank my colleagues for supporting the bill,” Simmons said. 

Senate Bill 817 applies to all public, private and charter schools in the State. The bill prohibits schools from issuing policies or including any language in handbooks about hairstyles traditionally associated with race and ethnicity including braids, dreadlocks, and protective hairstyles. This makes our schools safe spaces for black youth to show up and learn authentically and be who they are. 

Simmons, who wears his hair in natural free form locs, said he’s been on the receiving end of school rules policing his personal appearance. 

“I understand what this feels like personally,” Simmons said. “I urge the House to approve this legislation and join the Senate in ensuring that the next generation doesn’t have to go through this.

Simmons, family advocates argue for $600-per-child state tax credit before Senate committee

SPRINGFIELD – Speaking alongside other advocates for Illinois children and families, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) argued the necessity of his plan to institute a $600-per-child income tax credit at the state level before the Illinois Senate Revenue Committee Wednesday.

Simmons’ legislation, Senate Bill 2132, would create a tax credit which would begin phasing out for single parents making more than $40,000 annually or jointly filing parents earning more than $60,000.

“We have to face the reality that working families in particular have struggled through this pandemic, and targeted relief is what they need to recover,” Simmons said. “Supporting businesses is important, but any economic recovery effort we make at the state level cannot leave our working families behind.”

Mitch Lifson, Vice President of Voices for Illinois Children, spoke in favor of the legislation, citing its ability to help families in poverty in Illinois, who are disproportionately families of color.

“This legislation makes a long term commitment to our children and families,” Lifson said during testimony. “Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up safe, healthy and well-educated, and this legislation will further that goal.”

Faith Arnold, Executive Vice President of SEIU Healthcare, also spoke out on how a tax credit could help families who have been struggling with child care throughout the pandemic.

“Working parents have already had to make far too many sacrifices during this pandemic, and their children with them,” Arnold said. “This child tax credit would support precisely those residents who need the most help. It's just the right thing to do.”

Janet Soto, a resident of Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, spoke about her experiences as she chose to remain home after her child care provider shut its doors due to the pandemic. While Soto said her family is getting by, many others she speaks with who were already struggling with employment and child care now are doing so in ways deeply exacerbated by the pandemic.

“My heart just breaks knowing people that were already on the edge of needing real, substantial help, have now been pushed far over that edge, and it's going to take time for economic recovery to happen,” Soto said. “They need the support this Senate bill would provide.”

Senate Bill 2132 awaits consideration before the full Senate.