General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons
Dear Neighbor,
Welcome to Newsletter Six of 2026. The Spring legislative session is swiftly moving along, and I have plenty of updates for you from Springfield and all across the 7th district.
In Springfield I have been fighting hard for the 7th District in the final weeks of spring session. This looks like holding state agencies accountable during confirmation hearings to provide equitable healthcare across Illinois in the face of H.R.1, fighting for life-saving safety net hospital funding, advancing protections for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans - including Senate Bill 594 which will shield LGBTQ+ Illinoisans from dangerous pathologization and erroneous treatment, and Senate Bill 3481 which will protect medical information of transgender minors, as well as carrying House Bill 5486 which will establish an office of Genealogic Affairs to develop a plan to create a state-level framework to provide African-Americans in Illinois with genealogical information that historically may have been destroyed, uncompiled, or otherwise withheld. I am also advancing small business grant funding, and proudly chief co-sponsoring House Bill 4394, which will safeguard the rights of sexual assault survivors, as well as co-sponsoring the Home for Good Act.
Caption: Senator Simmons presents small business legislation in committee that would create new relief grants for small businesses devastated by the ICE raids during Operation Midway Blitz
These are just a handful of key bills I am working to pass; if you want to see everything please take a look at ilga.gov. Also, below are more specific details on the legislation I am moving toward becoming law, highlights from meetings I had recently with constituents and wonderful advocacy groups who are fighting the good fight, important resources, and upcoming community events. I want to take a special moment to shout out all the students from the 7th District who came to visit these past couple weeks! Our young people ask the best questions!
Caption: Senator Simmons welcomes students from Chicago Montessori to his Springfield office this week.
Also - a happy belated May Day to all who advocate for workers’ rights! On May 1st, I joined activists in solidarity for greater investment in education, including SEIU Local 73’s organized faculty strike at Loyola Chicago to demand higher wages and job security and McCutcheon elementary school students as they rallied for a gymnasium! I believe that higher wages for non-tenured Loyola Chicago staff and a gym for students at McCutcheon are very reasonable demands, and I was proud to rally with educators and students across our district on May Day.
Caption: Senator Simmons pickets with SEIU Local 73 on May Day for higher wages and job security for Loyola faculty and staff.
I must also take a moment for the late Officer John Bartholomew, one of two Chicago police officers who was shot at Swedish Hospital on Saturday, April 25th. While I was in Springfield, a visitation and funeral were held for Officer Batholomew this past week in the heart of our district at St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church in Edgewater. Heather and Connor from my staff attended last Friday’s funeral to pay our respects.
Caption: Honoring Officer Bartholomew at St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church in Edgewater.
Let us continue to hope for a full recovery for Officer Bartholomew’s partner, Officer Nelson Crespo, who was critically wounded at the scene and remains in care. My deepest sympathies go to the families of Officers Bartholomew and Crespo, their fellow officers, and to all of the Endeavor Swedish staff, patients, providers, and administrators who had to endure that horrific day. I am committed to passing legislation that improves community safety, and I will be critically reviewing current processes and future legislation to prevent incidents that endanger officers and the public alike.
Finally, to all our students finishing their school year and to our graduates, I am so proud of you and you are an inspiration! I cannot wait to come back to the district for the summer and share everything with you all. I am really looking forward to hosting town halls and resource events, and attending block parties, Juneteenth, Pride, and a warm and sunny Chicago Summer!
With Gratitude,
Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District
Legislative Updates
Senator Simmons Presents Bill for $50 Million “Operation Midway Blitz” Small Business Restoration Grant
Caption: Senator Simmons presents SB2810 in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Earlier this month, I presented Senate Bill 2810 to the Appropriations Committee in a subject matter hearing, which would create a $50 million "Operation Midway Blitz" Small Business Restoration Grant Program to provide economic support to small businesses who have been negatively impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
While this measure to provide economic support is important and is under consideration, it is only one step toward recovery. ICE continues to unlawfully abduct people and we must continue to do everything we can to keep one another safe and to fight for justice until ICE is abolished!
Senator Simmons Presents Plan to Give Tenants First Right to Purchase Rental Properties
Caption: Senator Simmons presents legislation to the Senate Executive Committee that would give tenants the first right to purchase when a property is put up for sale.
It is necessary to empower residents with the opportunity to buy their home outright when the sale of a building occurs. The concept of my bill, Senate Bill 3762, is simple: We need to make sure people can stay in their homes and communities without having to worry about what might happen when their building is put up for sale. In this bill, property owners would be required to notify their tenants and the Illinois Housing Development Authority when they intend to sell the property, giving tenants the right of first refusal if the owner receives an offer to purchase the property. This would give residents the right to purchase their building in advance of all other parties.
Right of first refusal policies can help preserve affordable rental housing, support the availability of rental units, and limit the displacement of residents from their community. Under this legislation, any publicly funded buyers would be required to maintain affordable housing for 30 years after purchase. Tenants deserve the opportunity to own their home before it gets sold off to the highest bidder!
Senator Simmons Advances LGBTQ+ Shield Legislation
I am immensely proud to advance Senate Bill 594, which will amend Section 1-129 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code to exclude LGBTQ+ identity as a symptom of mental illness. This legislation has been carefully developed in partnership with Chicago Therapy Collective, Equality Illinois, NAMI Chicago, Peoria Proud, and the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter (NASW-IL) - to name a few.
This bill is in direct response to the onslaught of anti-trans federal executive orders and 848 anti-trans and LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures, including 22 in Illinois. In the current definition of “mental illness” in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, there is an existing list of exclusions–SB594 adds LGBTQ+ identity to this list. This will shield LGBTQ+ Illinoisans from their identity being used as a symptom of delusion or psychosis and will protect them from erroneous treatment.
I am also fighting to pass Senate Bill 3481, which protects the personal medical information of trans youth in Illinois from being shared without their consent. I am so proud to be the first LGBTQ+ senator to represent the 7th District, and I am proud to have introduced and passed legislation to make Illinois a sanctuary state for trans individuals. I will continue to fight for our trans community every day, including making sure this bill advances.
Senator Simmons - Key Sponsored Bills
Emerging Adult Criminal Justice Task Force Act - SB3316/HB5434
In my continued commitment to making our communities safer, I recently Co-Sponsored Senate Bill 3316 which would establish the Emerging Adult Criminal Justice Task Force within the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority to take lead in reviewing current Illinois law and practices that harm young adults. It would provide the judicial branch more capacity to review how current justice system practices affect outcomes of young adults who have turned to crime. It is always tragic when young adults get involved with crime early in life, but ultimately, it is preventable. To achieve a reduction in adolescent crime, we need to review how the current system is treating young adults who commit crimes and get stuck in a cycle of violence.
Office of Genealogical Affairs Study Committee Act - HB5486
I firmly value family roots ancestry initiatives, and I am proud to carry a bill from the House that would help African-American Illinoisans investigate and learn more about their family heritage. House Bill 5486 would explore the creation of an Office of Genealogical Affairs as a reparatory step that would develop a framework to compile and make available genealogical information for Black Illinoisans that would help them discover their roots and family history.
End-Of-Life Care Peer Support Program for Incarcerated Illinoisans - HB4434
I am a firm believer in prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment for those who get involved with the justice system in Illinois. For folks who are serving a life sentence, I also believe they should be given dignity and respect as they approach the end of their life. I am now a Co-Sponsor and champion of House Bill 4434 which would establish an End-of-Life Care Peer Support Program for individuals who are incarcerated with a life sentence or diagnosed with a terminal illness. The program would recruit fellow incarcerated individuals as peer workers to be trained in non-medical support and help facilitate end-of-life care. This bill would also open up access to grief counseling and mental health care services for those involved in the program. This bill is long overdue.
SNAP Updates, Work Exemption Available
Did you lose your SNAP benefits because of the new federal SNAP work requirements? The federal government made changes to SNAP and some customers lost benefits on May 1, 2026, if they weren’t meeting or exempt from new work requirements. See if you can file an exemption linked here. SNAP recipients can regain eligibility and meet the new work requirements by working, volunteering, or participating in a training or education program. Visit SNAPWorkRequirements.illinois.gov for more information. If you need any assistance or have questions regarding SNAP or any state program, please contact my office by phone (773-769-1717), email (
Illinois Accountability Commission Publishes Final Report, Covering Overuse of Force by Federal Agents During Operation Midway Blitz
The Illinois Accountability Commission (IAC) was established by Governor Pritzker to create a public record of the conduct of federal agents during “Operation Midway Blitz” and the Trump Administration’s military-style operations throughout the Chicagoland area. After 9 months of public hearings, testimonies, and research, the IAC has published their final report. This report could be used in future oversight of and lawsuits against DHS, ICE, and CBP regarding their overuse of force, inhuman detention centers, and unlawful deportations and torture of working-class Americans.
Read the final report by the Illinois Accountability Commission linked here.
University of Illinois 4-H Programming for Youth
4-H is one of the largest positive youth development organizations in the United States with nearly 200,000 participants involved in Illinois over the program’s lifetime. Overseen by the University of Illinois, 4-H has a wide range of youth programming related to animal sciences, college and career readiness, creative and cultural arts, the environment, gardening and agriculture, healthy living, and STEM and robotics. Check out the full list of programs available for young scholars linked here! Illinois 4-H is open to all Illinois youth and teens aged 5-18 years old. Programs like this are an excellent way to give our district youth experiential opportunities to see more rural parts of Illinois and learn about agriculture!
Senator Simmons in the News
- Simmons honoring Officer Bartholomew after Endeavor Swedish Hospital shooting, Illinois Senate Democrats
- Simmons presents plan to give tenants first right to purchase rental properties, Illinois Senate Democrats
- Illinois Lawmakers Sound Alarm: Funding Cuts to Safety-Net Hospitals Threaten to Dismantle Care for Black & Brown Communities, Illinois Senate Latino and Black Caucuses
- Plan would have state taxpayers provide $50M for ICE-impacted businesses, The Center Square
- Illinois bill would create $50M grant program for small businesses impacted by ICE enforcement, MyStateline
- Simmons Fights for Small Businesses Impacted by Operation Midway Blitz, Illinois Senate Democrats
- Senate democrats donned Suits & Sneakers for cancer awareness, Illinois Senate Democrats
- Bill Regulating Residential Leases Expected To Be Made Law, Journal & Topics
Trending Topics
Every week, my office receives hundreds of phone calls, emails, and letters from constituents communicating what issues matter most to them, their ideas, and legislative requests. Here are the top three trending correspondence issues our office has received from 7th District constituents since the previous newsletter!
- 62 supporting the Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act
- (Senate Bill 2462/House Bill 2723)
- This bill repeals current Illinois fiscal policy of blocking state investment in companies that support boycotting, divesting, or sanctioning (BDS) Israel.
- 59 supporting HIV/AIDS Funding Infrastructure
- (Senate Bill 2814/House Bill 4410)
- Senator Simmons is the lead sponsor of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment funding every year, including funding for the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program.
- 47 supporting Taxing the Rich
- Support for a collection of bills with progressive revenue proposals championed by the Illinois Revenue Alliance.
- Read the full list of proposals by the Illinois Revenue Alliance for taxing the rich linked here.
Advocates, Constituents, and Friends in Springfield!
Thank you to everyone who took time and effort this past week to visit and advocate for the issues near and dear to you!
Caption: Senator Simmons with the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha who visited Springfield to stand in solidarity for our communities and future.
Caption: Senator Simmons welcomes students from Chicago Montessori to his Springfield office!
Caption: Senator Simmons in the Capitol with advocates of the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments.
Caption: Senator Simmons welcomes St. Augustine and Lewis University leadership and staff to his office from Uptown in the 7th District.
Caption: Senator Simmons with the Chicago Fire Departments working to keep our communities informed and safe!
Caption: Senator Simmons smiles with the League of Women Voters in Springfield!
Caption: Senator Simmons catches up with Jackie Taylor (next to Sen. Simmons), Founder and CEO of Black Ensemble Theater in Uptown and a 7th District GEM, former Ald. Helen Shiller of the 46th Ward (center), and colleagues in the Capitol elevator!
Upcoming Community Events
Chicago Business Resource Expo Saturday, May 16th | 8:30AM-1:30PM
Enjoy free business resources for new and existing entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their business in Chicago. The expo includes workshops, city license experts, financial advisors, networking sessions, professional headshots, and a keynote address from Uptown's very own Jackie Taylor of Black Ensemble Theater! Learn more and register at Chicago.gov/BizExpo.
3rd Annual Howard Street Carnaval Saturday, May 16th, 2026 | Starts at 11:00AM
A Just Harvest is back for their 3rd Annual Howard Street Carnaval, featuring a vibrant parade and festival honoring traditions from across the African and Caribbean diaspora! This will be taking place on Saturday, May 16, at Willye B. White Park (1610 W Howard) starting from 11:00AM. For more information visit https://www.howardstreetcarnaval.com/.
Centro Romero Annual Health Fair Tuesday, May 19th, 2026 | 9:00AM-2:00PM
On Tuesday, May 19th, visit Centro Romero located at 6216 N. Clark St between 9:00AM-2:00PM for their Annual Health Fair. This event will combine all aspects of health ranging from physical, mental, social, vision, and vaccinations. For more information visit https://centroromero.org/.
State Representative Kelly Cassidy Virtual Town Hall Wednesday, May 20th, 2026 | 6:00-7:30PM
Join the Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy on Wednesday, May 20th from 6:00-7:30PM for a virtual town hall. They will be giving updates on the Representative’s bills, the budget, and the end of session, with guest speakers State Representative Lindsey LaPointe and State Representative Will Guzzardi. You can scan the QR code on the flyer or follow this link (https://bit.ly/4diBYee) to register for their town hall. While completing registration you will also have a chance to submit questions you would like answered during the meeting. Zoom links will be sent out the day of the event.
Uptown Connect Resource Fair Thursday, May 21st, 2026 | 12:00PM-4:00PM
Next Thursday, May 21st, Alderwoman Angela Clay is hosting an Uptown Connect Resource Fair in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) at North Area Community Service Center (845 W. Wilson Ave) from 12:00PM-4:00PM. This event will bring together local organizations, service providers, and community partners to share resources, build connections with neighbors, and strengthen collaboration within the Uptown community.
Senior Health Fair Thursday, May 21st, 2026 | 10:00AM-1:00PM
Next Thursday, May 21st, the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services is hosting a Senior Health Fair at the Northeast (Levy) Senior Center at 2019 W. Lawrence Ave. Attendees can expect free COVID and flu vaccines, raffles with prizes, a provided lunch, and a 10% coupon from Jewel-Osco if you receive a vaccine.
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
