General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons
Dear Neighbor,
The Spring legislative session concluded on May 31st, and I have many updates to share with you. It was a tough session in the legislature with many issues to address and a tight budget. Nonetheless, I am proud of the many bills we passed, and the progress we have made in addressing the transit fiscal cliff and junk fees for renters. I am proud to share that I voted for a transit funding and reform bill that passed the Senate 32-22 on May 31st. Full details on the bill are further down this newsletter.
However, I am deeply disappointed with the exclusion of funding for beneficial programs, such as the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) program. In a time where the Trump administration is pushing to cut access to Medicaid and Medicare, we need to do much more as a state and be a lot more aggressive to ensure everyone has access to healthcare coverage. I will continue to advocate and fight for expanded healthcare programs in Illinois.
The big wins in the Fiscal Year 26 state budget includes a new historical high for violence prevention funding for the 7th District with $2 million exclusively appropriated for violence prevention! I fought hard to increase this fund from last year’s $1 million to $2 million, bringing more dollars to our violence prevention organizations in Uptown, Edgewater, and Rogers Park.
We also secured $20 million for the Parent Mentor Program in public schools and a $10 million increase to MAP funding for Illinois students going to college in Illinois, many of whom are able to attend colleges and universities in Illinois for nearly free without being loaded with a bunch of student loans.
Finally, thank you to everyone who joined me for my Budget and Transportation Town Hall at Amundsen High School on Wednesday. If you were unable to attend, you can view a recording of my townhall event here. I received the question, “What can I/we do to make sure transit funding and reform is secured?” One immediate action you take is to get looped in with a transit advocacy organization. Better Streets Chicago is convening a virtual “What Now?” meeting this Monday, June 23 from 6 - 7 p.m. Whether you're a longtime advocate or new to transit issues, your perspective and participation is critical. You can RSVP here. I encourage you to attend!
Sincerely,
Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District
Senator Simmons Transportation & Budget Town Hall Recap
Caption: Senator Simmons shares updates with constituents at his Transportation and Budget Town Hall at Amundsen High School on Foster and Damen on June 18th, 2025.
On Wednesday, I hosted my latest Town Hall focused primarily on the FY26 state budget, the state of transit funding and reform, and legislative wins from the Spring legislative session. There is still work to be done on transit, and I am continuing to advocate vigorously for an immediate return to Springfield to get the work done. Please take a moment to review my 2025 Legislative Rundown that covers the major highlights of the 2025 Spring session and FY26 budget.
You can watch a full recording of the June 18th Transportation and Budget Town Hall linked here.
Make Sure Your Voice is Heard: Better Streets Chicago Community Transit Meeting
Better Streets Chicago is hosting a Save Transit Campaign Update on Monday, June 23rd from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Attendees will hear of various ways they can support the advocacy work to save our transit systems by passing legislation that includes funding AND reform. You can RSVP here. I highly recommend you participate. The event is a virtual meeting, free, and open to the public.
Senator Simmons Spring Updates: Legislation Passed by Senate and House
Removal of Matching Funds Requirement for Nonprofit Housing Providers
The current matching funds requirement for IDHS funding has created an unnecessary administrative burden for shelter providers. I was a Chief Senate Sponsor of House Bill 1862, a bill we passed as part of the FY26 budget and passed this Spring to open up state funding opportunities by removing matching funds requirements for nonprofit housing providers and shelters. This will benefit a lot of our community based organizations that don’t have wealthy donors or board members who can connect them with fundraising options to keep them afloat.
Simmons Eliminates All Fees for Unhoused People Obtaining a State ID
Currently, when an unhoused person completes an application to obtain a free State ID, there is a notary requirement associated with the application that can bring unexpected fees. Senate Bill 1173 eliminates any fees associated with getting this application notarized, making the application completely free for folks trying to get back on their feet.
Bike Definition Updated in IL Vehicle Code
Senate Bill 2285 is a simple and systemic change to the Illinois Vehicle Code, updating the definition of a bicycle to include bikes with 2 or more wheels—such as cargo bikes or those ridden by those who are disabled—as street legal vehicles.
Wastewater Reuse Act Passed
House Bill 2391 is a fantastic bill for the environment, allowing treated municipal wastewater to be reused for approved irrigation and industrial use. Water is a precious resource, and HB2391 will open up a new route to using our water sustainably.
Hypodermic Needle Sales for Prescriptions Bill Passed
House Bill 2589 will allow patients—that need clean syringes to administer prescription medications—to purchase clean syringes/needles at a local pharmacy.
Bike Trail Warnings Expansion Bill Passed
House Bill 2675 expands warning tools available to bike trail/road crossings. The overseeing body could now utilize cones, barricades, and street markings (in addition to signage) to warn drivers and cyclists of upcoming bike trail crossings over streets.
Bills Undergoing Further Consideration
Transit Reform and Fiscal Cliff Update
I am proud to share that I voted in support of House Bill 3438, a transit package that includes comprehensive reform of our transit systems while establishing revenue streams that would entirely fund the $770 million fiscal cliff and more. HB3438 passed the Senate on Saturday, May 31st with a 32-22 vote. The bill is now under consideration by the House.
As a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, I fought vigorously and passionately to pass HB3438 out of the Senate before the end of session, and am strongly in favor of returning to Springfield immediately to finish negotiating and pass this legislation. Our riding public, bus and train drivers, and transit system employees shouldn’t have to live week to week in high anxiety wondering if our bus and train systems are going to be cut. It’s entirely unnecessary stress on them and I know our state legislature can do way better than this by our riding public. So let’s go! We’ve been at it for nearly two years so let’s finish the work.
I have long seen this fiscal cliff as a unique (and once in a generation) opportunity to up our transit game with long overdue reforms in a way that makes our public transit system the world-class system we all want to see and that Chicagoans and residents across the metropolitan region need and deserve. As a lifelong user of Chicago public transit, I care deeply about our public transit system (and all public transit systems across the region and state) and will do everything in my power to ensure we protect and expand, what at its core, is a good system. HB3438 includes the effective reform and sustainable funding we need to support and expand our transit systems.
House Bill 3438 reforms the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) into the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), granting the agency greater ability to effectively oversee and organize the three service boards of CTA, Pace, and Metra. A few of the reforms and new abilities granted to the NITA include…
- Establishing a Transit Ambassador program with full-time employees that will increase safety for passengers by connecting riders to social services and providing customer service on-board buses, trains, and station platforms.
- Setting a universal fare system, allowing for unified ticketing between CTA, Metra, and Pace.
- Setting up a fare-capping system, which would stop riders from overpaying for fares on accident.
- Centralized service planning where trains and buses could be scheduled to run on synchronized timetables, facilitating seamless transfers between CTA, Metra, and Pace.
- Centralized capital planning and procurement, eliminating competition between service boards and encouraging collaboration when developing new stations, train lines, and bus routes.
In my role on the Senate Transportation Committee, I have actively participated in several hearings discussing the potential legislation to address the fiscal cliff and RTA’s governance structure, including Senate Bill 5 and Senate Bill 1938. HB3438 is a bill that includes components of both SB5 and SB1938.
Improving safety on board, increasing the frequency and reliability of buses and trains, train service and bus route enhancements, eliminating ghost buses, implementing fare equity, creating more humane conditions for our bus and train operators, and establishing game-changing reforms like bus rapid transit on key corridors are some of the cornerstones I have fought for during the transit bill negotiations. I have also consistently and clearly advocated for these reforms for months in Senate Transportation Committee hearings all across the Chicago metropolitan area. HB3438 is the legislation we have been waiting for to save our transit systems and set them up for the future. I am eager for the House to take up this legislation with reforms AND funding, and for Governor Pritzker to sign it.
Caption: Senator Simmons speaks to constituents at a Transportation Town Hall he organized and held in April 2025 at the Broadway Armory in Edgewater for 7th District residents.
Caption: Senator Simmons speaks to constituents at a Transportation Town Hall he organized and held in April 2025 at the Broadway Armory in Edgewater for 7th District residents.
Simmons Bill to Ban Rental Application Junk Fees & Require Lease Transparency Passes Senate Executive Committee
Caption: Senator Simmons on the Senate floor to bring forth HB3564, legislation that would ban rental junk fees, require transparency on housing fees in a lease, and regulate move-in fees charged to tenants.
House Bill 3564, known as the Rental Fee Transparency and Fairness Act, passed the Senate Executive Committee on May 28th with a 9-4 vote. This is a major piece of legislation that would require transparency of housing fees on the first page of a lease, set limits on non-refundable move-in fees, and ban at least 11 types of nonsense junk fees that are often imposed on renters after a lease is finalized.
House Bill 3564 puts guard rails in place to ensure the renting process is transparent and fair for tenants while maintaining landlords' access to the most common tools utilized to screen tenants.
A few of the banned fees included in HB3564 are…
- A fee for modifying or renewing a lease agreement;
- A fee for after-hour requests for maintenance service or safety repairs;
- A fee for contacting the building owner or property manager;
- A fee for travel required to complete maintenance work;
- A fee to set up an online account or online portal necessary to pay rent or utility costs;
- A fee for an in-person tour of the unit.
HB3564 also puts reasonable guardrails in place regarding security deposits and move-in fees. For security deposits, the total amount cannot exceed the first month’s rent. For move-in or move-out fees, the amount may not exceed 20 percent of a month’s rent given this type of fee is nonrefundable. Additionally, if a landlord chooses to charge a move-in or move-out fee in lieu of a security deposit, they must provide the tenant with an itemized list of the cost of services that factor into the fee. Move-in fees have turned into a large barrier to housing for many folks given they are nonrefundable and have no purpose that is clear to tenants.
Finally, HB3564 would allow tenants to pay certain one-time fees in installments if the fee is greater than 25 percent of a full month’s rent, granting low-income tenants greater ability to stay in their housing while paying high-cost fees within a reasonable timeframe.
HB3564 is still evolving, and I will keep you posted on the latest updates to HB3564 as negotiations continue over the Summer and into the Fall Veto session.
Language Translation on State Websites
Caption: Senator Simmons and leaders from the Ethiopian Community Association present SB1262 to the Senate Appropriations Hearing to require state websites to be translated into at least 25 languages.
In the 7th District, over 100 languages are spoken, which is a reflection of the entire state of IL. Every day, my office encounters folks who would greatly benefit from being able to read state services in their native or preferred language. Under Senate Bill 1262, the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology would be required to develop and implement a system that automatically translates websites operated by the state into at least 25 languages. By providing translation of state websites, we provide access to vital resources like SNAP, Medicaid, and many other state services. SB1262 is still evolving, and I hope to advance this bill as soon as possible.
Springfield Snapshots
For the past few months, one of my district volunteers, Stu Davison, has been sharing his talents as a photographer. This Spring session, he came down to document daily life as a senator, and just a handful of images are below. These images portray a true look into what a typical day for me as your state Senator looks like, including traveling down via Amtrak, working through bill files and scheduling with my Legislative Aide, supporting advocacy rallies, and meeting with constituents who come to visit.
Caption: Senator Simmons chats with a constituent as he commutes to Springfield from Chicago via Amtrak.
Caption: Senator Simmons and Geri, Legislative Aide, reviews letters and messages from constituents and stakeholders.
Caption: Senator Simmons talks with Hannah Werner and Derrese Bezzawork from The Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago in Springfield as they prepare to provide testimony in support of SB1262.
Caption: Senator Simmons stands with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), advocating for Healthcare as a human right.
Caption: Senator Simmons meets with the United African Organization, which advocates for the African immigrant and refugee community in Illinois.
Caption: Heather, Chief of Staff for Senator Simmons, stands with Amy Rynell, Executive Director of the Active Transportation Alliance in advocating for investing in equitable transit for all.
Caption: Senator Simmons shakes hands with a constituent on the steps of the Capitol building in Springfield.
Senator Simmons in the News
- Simmons Fights for RTA Free Transit for Low-Income Individuals by Illinois Senate Democrats
- Senate sends bill expanding access to sterile hypodermic syringes, needles to Governor by WAND News
- Simmons Passes Bill through Senate to Increase Cyclist and Pedestrian Safety by Illinois Senate Democrats
- Simmons Fights to Ban Tenant Junk Fees and Require Lease Transparency by Illinois Senate Democrats
- Bill limiting move-in fees passed Illinois Senate committee, opponents say bill will turn landlords away from state by The Daily Line
- Illinois gets closer to banning junk fees on rent by WCIA
- Illinois K-2 expulsion and suspension reform bill fails to pass by WAND News
- Legislation to curb landlord fees stalled, lawmakers promise to keep working by The Center Square
- Illinois rental junk fees bill stalls as session ends by WAND News
- New Illinois laws aim to make streets safer for bikers, pedestrians by Daily Herald
Senator Simmons: Call for Summer Volunteers!
The summer season is almost here which means many opportunities to volunteer at events or in my district office! Contact my Operations and Outreach Coordinator, Gabby Tewodros, at 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
