General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons
Dear Neighbor,
Before we continue to push for progress in 2025, I wanted to share everything we accomplished together in 2024. This newsletter contains a complete rundown of our accomplishments in 2024, including statistics on my legislative and outreach efforts. From passing 83 bills (which includes bills I authored, Chief-Cosponsored or Co-Sponsored) to attending 294 community events in 2024, I am as committed as ever to fighting for you in the Illinois Senate and connecting with you out and about in the 7th District.
Looking to the future, I stood with colleagues to introduce the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, a new piece of legislation that would prohibit Illinois’ major retirement systems from making new investments in fossil fuel companies. We must take action to reduce the State’s investment into fossil fuels, and I am proud to be leading efforts to divest from the fossil fuel industry.
I am also committed to advocating for and protecting our migrant neighbors from the oppressive efforts of the current federal administration. I recently sent out a Know Your Rights/Conozca sus Derechos newsletter including important information for neighbors at risk. Please take a moment to review this newsletter whether you think you are at risk or not. Every member of our community has rights that must be recognized—regardless of immigration status—and everyone should be aware of these rights to help protect one another.
Sincerely,
Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District
Senator Simmons 2024 Recap
To-date, last year was the busiest year my staff and I have ever had in my time as State Senator. My team and I helped a record number of constituents, hosted a record number of community events, and passed a vast amount of legislation.
In 2024, I helped pass 83 bills total, including fifteen that I authored and introduced and seventy-one I supported as a Chief Co-Sponsor or Co-Sponsor. Highlights of my legislative efforts this year include passing the Child Tax Credit, providing medical debt relief for tens of thousands of Illinoisans, improving transit safety through a required annual safety report from the RTA, and taking proactive steps to protect our clean water supply with the Safe Public Drinking Water Act.
My district office assisted a record number of constituents in 2024, solving over two times as many constituent cases and answering two times the amount of phone calls we received in 2023. My team of staff and volunteers share my dedication to public service and helping folks get access to programs or services that you deserve. If you ever need help, please reach out.
I also continued my efforts to be present in the community either through meeting with constituents 1:1 in my district office, attending community events, or holding meetings with our many partners that provide community services.
On top of attending events hosted by others, my team and I organized at least one event a month to ensure our office and state services are easily accessible across the 7th District.
My next newsletter will include updates on legislation I am filing this Spring, so look forward to future updates.
Senator Simmons in the News
- Legislation Further Enables Complete Streets Roadway Designs by Metropolitan Planning Council
- Johnson, Simmons advocate for fossil fuel divestment by Illinois Senate Democrats
Senator Simmons Legislative Updates
Simmons Advocates for Fossil Fuel Divestment
Caption: Senator Simmons advocating for divestment from fossil fuels alongside Senator Graciela Guzmán (left), Representative Will Guzzardi (behind), and Senator Adriane Johnson (right).
The time to make changes for our future is now, and by divesting from fossil fuels we can bolster our green initiatives here in Illinois. I recently joined a number of my legislative colleagues to throw support behind the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, a new piece of legislation that would prohibit Illinois’ major retirement systems from making new investments in fossil fuel companies. This legislation is of generational consequence and importance, and with the magnitude of the dollars in our pension fund, the power of that money should be thought about when reducing our investment in fossil fuels. You can watch my full remarks on the bill here.
Senator Simmons Joins Governor Pritzker for Launch of BEACON Children's Behavioral Health Portal
Caption: Senator Simmons speaks in support of BEACON, a new children’s behavioral health portal.
I was proud to join Governor Pritzker and lIllinois Behavioral Health leaders in early January for the launch of BEACON - beacon.illinois.gov - which is a one-stop online portal dedicated to children's behavioral health and designed to empower families by granting them the ability to identify
behavioral health services best for their child and arrange access to these services all in one place. The website is currently available in 8 languages, and I look forward to ensuring its rollout reaches as many people as possible with more languages added in the future! You can watch my full remarks at the BEACON press conference, here.
District Updates
Bryn Mawr Corridor Walk and Roundtable with Mayor Johnson and Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth
Caption: Senator Simmons sits down for a roundtable discussion about the needs of Bryn Mawr Ave with Mayor Johnson and Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth.
I joined Mayor Johnson, Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth, and community leaders to discuss the needs and the future of the Bryn Mawr Ave corridor and Edgewater. My district office sits right on Bryn Mawr Ave, and my team and I see the needs of the community daily. Mayor Johnson shared some exciting updates regarding potential affordable housing developments near the Bryn Mawr corridor, and Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth shared updates regarding some of the vacant storefronts on Bryn Mawr. I will keep you posted in future newsletters regarding the future of the Bryn Mawr corridor.
Caption: Senator Simmons, Mayor Johnson, and Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth walk by Elvira Beauty Salon near the Bryn Mawr corridor.
Resources
Now Available: $10M in Small Business Capital & Infrastructure Grants!
Grants ranging from $10,000 to $245,000 are now available for small businesses through the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Capital resources can be used for eligible projects including planning, land and building acquisition, buildings, additions, or structures, site improvements, rolling stock, and durable equipment. Qualified entities include businesses owned by Socially Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) with a maximum of 25 full-time permanent employees and Very Small Businesses (VSBs) with less than 10 employees. SEDI includes businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ community and more. Priority will be given to businesses located in Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Investment Areas, especially those with project proposals that focus on job creation, economic revitalization, or increased community engagement in these areas. You can apply right now on the DCEO website linked here. Applications will be accepted until April 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Feel free to contact my district office if you have any questions.
iCash: Claim your unclaimed property!
State Representative Kelly Cassidy is partnering with the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer on February 10, 2025 to help residents find and claim their lost funds! I-Cash representatives will be available from 11 AM to 3 PM to answer questions and help residents file unclaimed property claims. The Office of the Illinois State Treasurer is holding over $5 billion in unclaimed property—including dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, and insurance claims—and is seeking to return these funds to their rightful owners/heirs. You can see if you have unclaimed property here. We encourage attendees to bring an active State ID, a social security card, or other relevant records.
The event is free and open to all! For more information about this event or to schedule your appointment, please contact Rep. Cassidy’s district office at 773-784-2002 and ask to speak to District Office Manager Rauly, or you can email him directly at
Know Your Rights/Conozca sus Derechos
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
