Sincerely,




Senator Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

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Senator Simmons Spring 2025 Legislation

Below are over 30 bills that I have filed so far in the 104th General Assembly. These are the first draft of my bills, and there will be additional amendments, as well as new bills to come that I will sponsor and some I’ll carry from the House.

Human Rights

• Senate Bill 1173- Currently, people without housing can only get a free State ID by filing a notarized application (which often includes a fee or requires a bank account). This bill removes the notary requirement to ensure unhoused people can obtain a State ID, which is necessary for many social service programs and even housing applications.
   
• Senate Bill 1262- Anyone who visits a State website should be able to read it in their native language. This bill would require all State websites to include automatic translation for at least the 100 most commonly spoken languages in Illinois.
   
• Senate Bill 1389- Refiled from last session, this legislation would expand the Adult Protective Services Act to protect senior citizens and adults living with disabilities from financial exploitation and abuse by expanding the list of mandated reporters of financial abuse to include broker-dealers and officers and employees of financial institutions, such as banks. All too often, seniors or their family members have contacted my office reporting they have been the victim of financial scams, fraud, and exploitation. SB1389 aims to ensure financial institutions and broker-dealers are playing their part in protecting seniors from financial exploitation.
   
• Senate Bill 1515- This bill would create an Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls within the Office of the Attorney General. The establishment of this office is a recommendation of the  2024 Annual Report on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women commissioned by the Illinois General Assembly, which found that 84.5% of criminal sexual assault survivors in Chicago were female in 2024; 52% of which were Black women. We must take stronger action to prevent and stop disproportionate violence faced by Black women and girls, and I believe a new division in the Attorney General's office could take the lead on that front.
   
• Senate Bill 1516- This bill would eliminate required fees for State IDs for trans individuals and their families seeking refuge in Illinois due to an act of anti-trans persecution in another state.
   
• Senate Bill 1610- This bill looks to help returning citizens get back on their feet by removing fees for certain State identification for a year after their release. This would allow them to easily obtain a State ID and birth certificate to access other state services immediately after release.
   
• Senate Bill 2109- SB2109 is a bill that would require financial institutions to respond to a court order if it is suspected that the financial assets of a person with a disability were improperly withheld or concealed. This bill ensures that if an employee of a financial institution is taking advantage of someone, then they must comply with any investigation or court order.
   
• I am also filing a bill to establish a shield law that would protect against efforts to classify gender and/or sexual orientation identities and/or "acts" as mental illness OR a symptom of another mental illness(For example, they cannot be viewed as a symptom of psychotic disorder). Stay tuned for additional updates on this legislation.

Transportation

• Senate Bill 1388- Refiled from last session, SB1388 would task the RTA with providing free transit for individuals with income below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level.
   
• Senate Bill 1970- This bill would allocate grant money for electric school buses to effectively lower the purchase price of electric school buses for a school districts. We must take a more active stance diverting from fossil fuels, and I'm proud to carry legislation that will help local schools purchase electric school buses.
   
• Senate Bill 2111- SB2111 would establish allowed behavior for cyclists on bikeways in the Illinois Vehicle Code, allowing cyclists to ride side-by-side, ride contraflow on one-way streets, and perform an Idaho stop.
   
• Senate Bill 2112- SB2112 would grant municipalities the ability to decrease speed limits to a minimum of 10 miles per hour (rather than 20) in urban districts and a minimum of 15 miles per hour (rather than 25) in residential districts. The bill also allows the difference in limit between adjacent speed zones to be up to a 15 mph difference (rather than 10 mph), granting municipalities expanded ability to limit speeds on local roads.
   
• Senate Bill 2285- SB2285 would redefine bicycles in the Illinois Vehicle Code to include e-bikes at safer speeds.

Housing

• Senate Bill 88- This bill would make funding for HUD-Approved housing counseling agencies an eligible expense for the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund. During the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2023, HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in Illinois provided on-on-one counseling to over 12,000 households and group education to more than 16,700 households. However, Illinois has 21 counties without the presence of a local counseling agency, and many other counties suffer from a shortage of counselors and gaps in the services offered.
   
• Senate Bill 1728- SB1728 is another bill I am refiling from last session. SB1728 would eliminate credit score checks for renters by making it a violation of the Real Estate Transactions Article of the Act for a landlord to unlawfully discriminate using credit score and history, including insufficient credit history.
   
• Senate Bill 1969- This bill would put social service workers/case managers into government-funded senior homes with one worker available for every 12 senior residents. My district office staff can tell you firsthand that seniors need people to help them access Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, and so many other services. With SB1969, I suggest that instead of forcing seniors to search for help themselves, we should bring the support to their doorstep.
   
• Senate Bill 2125- This bill would ensure condo owners receive ample notice in case of deconversion efforts of their building from owned condos to rental units. The bill requires that a vote to sell the property can only take place at a meeting called for such a purpose with a notice provided at least 72 hours in advance to all unit owners. It also requires local and state legislators to be notified of an intent to sell the building at least 90 days before a contract for sale is signed.
   
• Senate Bill 2352- The People Over Parking Act looks to eliminate minimum parking requirements from new development projects that are located within half a mile of a public transportation hub. We must start to prioritize housing over parking to make our communities more comfortable, walkable, and green.

Healthcare

• Senate Bill 1611- This bill would prohibit the imposing of work requirements onto folks enrolled in Medicaid. Out of precaution of the current White House administration, this bill would protect low-income Illinoisans from being required to work a minimum amount of hours in order to receive Medicaid benefits.
   
• Senate Bill 1906- The Prescription Drug Purchasing Task Force Act. The act would create a Prescription Drug Purchasing Task Force in the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to study the different ways that other states are using multi-state prescription drug purchasing pools to increase the State's negotiating power and lower prices for patients.
   
• Senate Bill 1907- The Access to Prescription Drugs Act. This bill would allow any State agency to enter into prescription drug bulk-purchasing partnerships [with drug manufacturers] to increase competition, lower prices, and address shortages in the market for generic prescription drugs.
   
• Senate Bill 1968- The Illinois Health Care and Public Benefits Stakeholder Council Act creates a council to ensure that residents impacted by Illinois health care systems and public aid benefits have a voice in the State's implementation of various programs across State agencies, including public assistance, health care, and child care programs.
   
• Senate Bill 2286- This bill would bar health insurance companies from requiring prior authorization or imposing any cost-sharing requirements—including copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles—for preventive health services recommended by a health care professional.
   
• Senate Bill 2287- SB2287 would allow patients to see a mental health provider of their choosing and outside of their insurance network for up to one year without incurring any greater out of pocket costs.
   
• Senate Bill 2353- This bill would remove limits on the number of visits a patient can make per week for outpatient mental health treatment. This allows the patient and provider to determine the best number of visits per week instead of an insurance company.

Environmental

• Senate Bill 1609- In response to anticipated decreased federal environmental research on drinking water, this bill would allocate money to be used in researching the risk to public health and safety caused by emerging drinking water contaminants. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency would receive annual funds dedicated to R&D regarding public drinking water.
   
• Senate Bill 2110- The Paper Waste Reduction Act sets limits on the amount of junk mail that can be sent to you. It would limit junk mail from for-profit companies to no more than two times in a year and junk mail from non-profit companies to no more than six times in a year. It provides that a person can opt-in to receive junk mail if they want it.
   
• Senate Bill 2383- The Natural Organic Reduction Regulation Act is a bill that was filed by Representative Kelly Cassidy last year that I have refiled this year. The bill would legalize natural organic composting for end of life care options and establish provisions on the practice of safely and respectfully reducing human remains for integration into soil within a cemetery, conservation area or private property.

Education

• Senate Bill 2124- The Let America Read Act would ensure instructional materials in the classroom cannot be removed from school curriculum by bad faith actors through the creation of a strict grievance procedure overseen by the Illinois State Board of Education. The grievance procedure will require a Review Committee consisting of librarians, teachers, and students and a set of parameters a curriculum complaint must pass in order for material to be removed from the classroom. It would also ensure no challenged material may be removed from instruction within the same school year it is under review.

Administrative

• Senate Bill 1387- SB1387 would require all recurring State payments to be made through direct deposit. This would reduce administrative costs, such as postage and paper, and ensure payments to vendors are paid on time.
   
• Lastly, I am filing legislation that would require that a municipality must compile and maintain a list of each contract it enters into for $5 million or more for public infrastructure projects. This bill is also a refile from last year.

Committees

I am excited to directly represent the needs of the 7th District in my new role as Chair of the Senate Public Health Committee, supporting comprehensive public health and chronic illness prevention in Illinois. As mental health care is a key and critical issue for our society, I will proudly continue as Vice-Chair of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee. Finally, with a new seat on the Labor Committee, and continuing my role on Transportation, and HHS Appropriations Committees, I will continue to fight to make sure folks have gainful employment, workers' rights, high-quality, reliable and sustainable transit, and state funding for healthcare programs and much more. If you are curious about what happens in a Senate committee hearing, please visit ilga.gov where you can watch/listen to hearings in real-time.

Senator Simmons’ Response to Governor’s Budget Address

          Right now our work is direly urgent to ensure people all across Illinois have access to quality health care. We are also at a crossroads in expanding access to quality public transit. We also must reckon and actively take action to address our state’s housing crisis. Governor Pritzker’s budget proposal is a good start and I look forward to the weeks ahead in discussions with my colleagues in the Senate and House as we work to ensure these priorities are addressed in the final budget.

          I am happy to see the proposal includes additional funding to the Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program that I spearheaded last year, which would erase medical debt for 300,000 Illinois residents. I am committed to fighting for this program and ensuring all communities have access to quality health care as a top priority. Read more here.

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Senator Simmons in the News

Caption: Sneak peek of Senator Simmons in his upcoming segment with ABC7 which will air on Saturday, February 22 at 6 p.m. CST.

• “Our Chicago: Black Hair Is…” is premiering this Saturday, February 22, at 6 p.m. on ABC7. Senator Simmons is a featured guest!
• ABC 7 Chicago Celebrates Black History Month With Special Programming, Including ‘Our Chicago: Black Hair Is…’ by Chicago Defender
• New state transportation chief hopes for ‘a good kind of disruption’ by Capitol News Illinois

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District Updates

Celebrating Lunar New Year in Asia on Argyle

Caption: Senator Simmons on stage with community leaders at the CMAA Lunar New Year celebration at St. Augustine College. Photo credit: Stu Davison

          I had an amazing time ringing in the Lunar New Year at several events throughout Uptown! First, I joined in Chinese Mutual Aid Association’s Lunar New Year celebration at St. Augustine College. With hundreds in attendance, CMAA put on their exciting annual program with lion dancers, lucky envelopes, and dozens of vendors.

Caption: Senator Simmons congratulating MINISO’s Store Manager for their grand opening at the intersection of Broadway and Argyle. Photo credit: Stu Davison

          Next up, I visited a new business arrival on Argyle, MINISO, for their grand opening. MINISO is a cute shop with plushies, snacks, cosmetics, and more. Check it out at 5004 N. Broadway!

Caption: From left to right, Alderwoman Angela Clay, Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, Senator Simmons, Representative Huynh, and Mayor Johnson join in Uptown United’s Lunar New Year celebration on Argyle.
Photo credit: Stu Davison

          Finally, I joined elected officials in celebrating the Year of the Snake with my Snake plushie for Uptown United’s parade along Sheridan, Argyle and Broadway! With light snowflakes, hundreds of people came out to see lion dancers, traditional music, and reptiles on display. It was great fun. See you all next year when we will ring in the Year of the Horse!

Valentine’s Day Cards: From Students to Seniors!

Caption: Senator Simmons passing out handmade valentine cards made by local students at a senior residential building in Budlong Woods.

          For the second year in a row, my team and I partnered with students from across the 7th District to make Valentine’s Day cards that we deliver to folks living in senior homes, and it was a tremendous success! Seniors are too often alone, and I always want to make sure they feel seen, heard, and loved. A huge THANK YOU to every student from Amundsen High School, Budlong, Goudy, Swift, and McCutcheon Elementary schools who created more than 500 funny and beautiful cards. Thank you also to all the teachers and administrators that helped coordinate to make this surprise possible! It was so uplifting to see people's faces light up at the love our young people put into creating each card!

PACE Bus Facility Visit

Caption: Senator Simmons “lifting up” transit!

            As conversations continue about the future of transit in Chicago and across Illinois, I joined a dozen fellow State Senators for a visit to the new PACE Heritage Bus storage and dispatch facility in Plainfield. Compared to the previous decades-old facility that held buses bumper to bumper, this new building allows buses to be safely parked, maintained, and efficiently dispatched - contributing to more dependable buses. As we face a turning point for public transportation in Illinois, this visit was incredibly helpful in seeing exactly how PACE operates its bus routes, ADA transit, carpool programs, and major opportunities lying ahead. We must continue to focus on expanding access to public transit to more people, as well as bringing in greater frequency, reliable scheduling, and the transition to electric fleets and vehicles. Thank you to Senator Villivalam and his team for coordinating this visit!

Caption: Senator Simmons and colleagues aboard a Pace bus.

Letter of Commendation for Ronald Schupp

          Ronald Schupp is an Uptown resident who has played a big role in the community by helping to save eleven lives in two different fires he has experienced. I wrote a Letter of Commendation to recognize his efforts linked here. Thank you Ron for your public safety efforts!

Loyola Park Black History Celebration This Sunday

          This Sunday, February 23rd, the Loyola Park Advisory Council is hosting a Black History Month Celebration from 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. at the Loyola Park Fieldhouse (1230 W. Greenleaf Chicago, IL 60626). Loyola Park has a brand new Teen Room that will be opening as part of this “Youth and Teen Entrepreneurship” focused Black History Month Celebration.

Kids Activity Open House at Broadway Armory

    On Saturday, March 1st at 10 a.m., the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce is taking over the Broadway Armory to host a Kids Activity Open House. It is a one day adventure for both kids and adults to check out local and upcoming camps, classes, schools, playdates, and activities for Spring and Summer. Discover new or next level interests for your kids and tweens in sports, arts and entertainment, music, and dance. The event is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at 5917 N. Broadway.

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Resources

Up to $6,500 Grants Now Open for Families Experiencing Homelessness

          Families with kids in Chicago Public Schools who are experiencing homelessness can now apply for up to $6,500 in unrestricted cash through a guaranteed pilot income program.

          Applications for cash assistance for the Illinois Stability Investment for Family Housing Pilot program are now open. Applications close Sunday, March 9th at 11:59pm. Up to 750 families will receive a one-time payment of $6,500 and another 750 families will receive $500. You can apply here, or learn more about the program here.

Chicago Warming Centers

Warming centers are open across the city. The North Area Center (845 W. Wilson Ave.) is located in the 7th District. Chicago park buildings and libraries also work as warming centers during extreme cold. Libraries in and around the 7th District include:

Budlong Woods

Budlong Woods Branch - 5630 N. Lincoln Ave.

Lincoln Square

Sulzer Regional Library - 4455 N. Lincoln Ave.

Regional Senior Center - 2019 W. Lawrence Ave.

Uptown

Bezazian Branch - 1226 W. Ainslie St.

Uptown Branch - 929 W. Buena Ave.

Edgewater

Edgewater Branch at 6000 N. Broadway

Rogers Park

Rogers Park Branch - 6907 N. Clark St.

West Ridge

Northtown Branch - 6800 N. Western Ave.

14th District Small Business Security Infrastructure Grant

          State Representative Kelly Cassidy has secured State funds to provide support to qualified small businesses in the 14th House District to implement violence prevention, business protection, and safety interventions. Grants are available of up to $25,000 to qualified businesses in the district. To see if you qualify, and to keep up to date with the grant, please visit the grant website at 14sbsig.org. You can also reach out to her office directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions you may have.

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.

Equality Illinois LGBTQ+ Resource Guide

 

Know Your Rights/Conozca sus Derechos

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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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via my website, senatormikesimmons.com.