Letter from Senator Mike Simmons
Dear Neighbor,
Tomorrow, December 17, as Chair of the Senate Human Rights Committee, I am holding a subject matter hearing on the topic “Housing as a Human Right,” at 10 a.m. I invite you to tune in via the Senate website, at ilga.gov. This hearing will include direct testimony from constituents and advocacy groups within the 7th District, and I invite you to listen in.
I am holding this hearing in direct response to so many of you reaching out to my office to share your challenges in finding accessible, affordable, and habitable housing. Subject matter hearings like this allow for my fellow senators to hear and learn about what constituents are facing, and in turn, to collectively find solutions.
You can expect that I will continue to be focused on this area in the new year - preserving and creating affordable housing opportunities, supporting long-time residents, fighting for humane, clean, and well-kept residential buildings, addressing the strain of increased property taxes, and much more. Thank you for lending your voices and lived experiences on this topic, and I look forward to working hard together in 2025.
Sincerely,
Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District
Senator Simmons to Hold “Housing as a Human Right” Hearing on December 17
Hearing in Response to Unprecedented Housing Insecurity
Caption: Senator Simmons will hold a “Housing as a Human Right,” Senate committee hearing on Tuesday, December 17.
Senator Simmons, as Chair of the Senate Human Rights Committee, will hold a “Housing as a Human Right” hearing on Tuesday, December 17 at 10 a.m. Testimonies from 7th District constituents and advocates will be heard. You are invited to listen in via the Senate website, ilga.gov.
Housing Resources
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
To begin your LIHEAP application for Cook County residents, click HERE.
Court Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) Now Open
The Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) is now reopened! I and my colleagues worked hard to secure $90 million in the FY25 State Budget dedicated to addressing homelessness, particularly in our Black and African American communities, with a vast majority of these dollars being dedicated to the CBRAP program. This important program provides funding to Illinois tenants and housing providers/ landlords across Illinois who have pending cases in eviction court. Applicants may qualify for up to $15,000 in emergency rental payments that can be applied to past due rent, up to $500 for court costs, and up to two months’ future rent to prevent eviction. You can apply online at ilhousinghelp.org. Please call my office if you have any questions about the program or trouble applying: 773-769-1717.
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter! If you ever want to reach out to our office, please call us at 773-769-1717, and we will respond promptly. We can also be reached at
