General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons
Dear Neighbor,
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful July outside in between chaotic downpours and wildfire smoke! I have a lot to share with you, covering updates and events.
First, I want to invite you to our annual Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, August 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Willye B White Park in Rogers Park (1610 W. Howard St.)! We are hosting the bash in partnership with Alderwoman Maria Hadden, State Representative Kelly Cassidy, and C24/7 Father’s Arms Ministries. We have over 750 FREE backpacks to give away, as well as free food, free school supplies, music, splash activities, inflatables, and games for all ages to enjoy! I hope to see you there on Saturday, August 8!
In terms of legislation, I am proud to report that my bill to ban 11 different types of rental junk fees, cap application fees to $50, and provide fee transparency is officially set to become law on January 1, 2027! Please read further down this newsletter for more information on what to expect when House Bill 3564 takes effect on January 1st.
I also wanted to provide an update on Illinois’ assault weapons ban. The ban has been making headlines as federal courts have been considering the legality of the ban. Most recently, the ban was upheld by a federal appeals court in July. However, there is still a possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court will consider the ban with a decision expected in Summer 2027. I am a firm supporter of Illinois’ assault weapons ban, as I voted in support of the ban when it passed into law. I was proud to vote Yea for the legislation in 2023, and I will always vote for legislation that prevents violent crime in our community. I believe machine guns have no place in modern America, especially in our Chicago neighborhoods. I am preparing for the possibility of the Supreme Court overturning Illinois’ assault weapons ban with my fellow state legislators. If the Court overturns the ban, best believe that the Illinois state legislature will consider new and unique ways to curb the presence of assault weapons in our state.
Finally, do not forget about the resources and organizations available to counter ICE operations in Chicagoland. While DHS and ICE have scaled back its presence since Operation Midway Blitz, the rogue agencies are still taking people from our communities. If you want to assist neighbors facing threats from ICE, please consider working with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights, ONE Northside Rapid Response, or Protect Rogers Park. These are just a few of the amazing neighbor-led organizations doing boots-on-the-ground organizing to keep our neighbors safe from Federal oppression.
Take care folks and stay safe! I hope to see you at our Back-to-School Bash on August 8th!
With Gratitude,
Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District
SAVE THE DATE
Senator Simmons’ Back-to-School Bash Saturday, August 8, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Willye B. White Park
SAVE THE DATE!!! Our Back-to-School Bash is back this year, join me on Saturday, August 8 at Willye B. White Park (1610 W. Howard St.) from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. This year, my office is partnering with State Representative Kelly Cassidy and Alderwoman Maria Hadden’s offices. Join us for HUNDREDS of free book bags, school supplies, games, activities, and more!! Special thanks to Alderwoman Hadden and C24/7 Family Services for the school supplies!!
Governor Signs Ban on Rental Junk Fees Into Law: $50 Cap for Application Fees, January 1st Implementation
IT’S OFFICIAL! House Bill 3564 is set to become law on January 1, 2027! Led by Rep. Syed and myself, HB3564 establishes a $50 cap for rental application fees, bans 11 types of junk fees, caps move-in fees at 20% of rent, and requires move-in fees to be itemized, among more protections for renters. During the last weekend of session, we passed HB 5234 to set a January 1, 2027 implementation date for these initiatives.
Important Medicaid Update
Medicaid Noncitizen Eligibility Changes, Effective October 1st, 2026
HR 1 narrows Medicaid eligibility for certain noncitizens. Some noncitizen recipients will lose coverage on October 1, 2026, and they must be informed in advance so they can prepare.
Starting October 1, 2026, some lawfully present immigrants will lose Medicaid coverage. This includes but is not limited to…
- Refugees and Asylees: Individuals who left their home country for safety and don’t yet have a Green Card
- Humanitarian parolees: Individuals allowed into the United States for urgent reasons for at least one year (including Ukrainian & Afghan parole programs)
- Survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking
- Amerasian immigrants not adjusted to legal permanent resident (LPR) status
- Individuals granted withholding of removal
- Conditional entrants allowed to stay in the United States for humanitarian or safety reasons under a temporary immigration status
The following groups will remain eligible:
- Naturalized Citizens
- Lawful permanent residents (subject to the five-year waiting period unless federally exempt)
- Certain Cuban and Haitian entrants
- Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants (from Marshall Islands, Micronesia or Palau)
- Children under 19 years old
- Pregnant individuals
- Individuals enrolled in a state-funded program, including AATV, VTTC, and HBIS2
If you have questions about your Medicaid coverage, please contact my office by email (
Senator Simmons Updates
Senator Simmons Receives William R. Ming Award from Cook County Bar Association
Caption: Senator Simmons (right) with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (left).
In June, I was honored with the William R. Ming Award Historical Award from the Cook County Bar Association for our work advancing civil rights and liberties in the Illinois Senate. The award I received is named for the late William Ming, a Chicago civil rights attorney who played a major role in key court decisions in the mid 1900s, including Brown v. Board of Education and Ward v. Texas. Ming was a leader against police brutality and segregation, and he even represented Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a 1960 perjury trial that resulted in an acquittal. I am proud to receive an award in his name and continue the mission of advancing civil rights and Black liberation from ongoing systemic racism and oppression.
Caption: Senator Simmons with a Cook County Bar Association ice sculpture.
Team Simmons Visits the National Public Housing Museum
Caption: Team Simmons at the National Public Housing Museum with tour guide Gentry. This room highlighted musical artists who have lived in public housing at some point in their lives, including Bad Bunny, Wu-Tang Clan, and many more surprising names!
My team and I visited the National Public Housing Museum for a staff development day, and I would highly recommend a visit to learn about the history of public housing and its importance to uplifting disadvantaged communities. I grew up in public housing in Lincoln Square right here in our 7th Senate District, and it was still quite eye-opening to hear stories of people living in public housing from the 1920s Chicago to now.
We took the Historic Apartments Tour, where we learned about the experience of the Turovitz and Hatch families living in the Jane Addams Homes from The New Deal to the Great Migration to today. They have several apartments recreated to reflect different eras of public housing in the Jane Addams Homes. Thank you to our tour guide Gentry who was very professional and informed! After the tour, we got a chance to chat with Dr. Lisa Yun Lee and Tiff Beatty, directors at the museum. We exchanged ideas for the future of public housing and community ownership. I am a major proponent of expanding public affordable housing, and the museum strongly reinforced how valuable public housing is to communities who find a home there.
Caption: Team Simmons checking out a student-made model of an Altgeld Gardens Greenway. Students made the model to showcase what they would like to see in a future greenway.
Elise Malary Plaza Groundbreaking
Caption: Senator Simmons, staff from Chicago Therapy Collective, and several electeds breaking ground for Elise Malary Plaza.
Back on Elise Malary Way in Andersonville, it was a pleasure to participate in the groundbreaking for Elise Malary Plaza alongside amazing allies at Chicago Therapy Collective, fellow electeds, and neighbors. You likely know the story of Elise Malary by now. Elise was a Black Trans activist who worked for Chicago Therapy Collective and bravely spoke out for the Black and Brown Trans community when others might be silent. The incoming plaza is named in honor of her as it lies on Elise Malary Way, and Elise was a valued member of the LGBTQ+ community. It was a joy to visit the Way again in her honor to kickstart construction of an exciting new pedestrian plaza that will be a perfect year-round gathering place with seating, bike racks, lightning, shade, and plant life.
You can learn more about the plaza on Alderman Vasquez’s 40th Ward website linked here. It is estimated to be completed in Spring 2027.
Legislative Updates: Latest Bill Signings
Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Signed Into Law
Voting rights for young people will soon be expanded. The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law was just signed as House Bill 4339 to require all high school districts to provide eligible students graduating from high school the opportunity to register to vote. I was proud to vote in support of this legislation as it passed through the Senate on May 29th in honor of Jesse Jackson and to ensure young people have the opportunity to be civically engaged before they graduate high school.
“Super Speeder” Intelligent Speed Assistance Program Signed into Law
Thank you to the 74 constituents that wrote in support of this legislation! I am pleased to report it has been signed into law. House Bill 4948 seeks to curb repeat speeders on Illinois roads by establishing an Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) program. As a cyclist and multimodal user, I care deeply about advancing pedestrian safety measures. HB 4948 will help hold super speeders accountable for reckless driving on Illinois roads.
Ending Automated Downcoding on Medical Claims
The Transparency in Downcoding Act, Senate Bill 3114, was just signed into law to ban automated downcoding of medical claims. As a Co-Sponsor of SB 3114, I supported this piece of legislation as it passed through the Senate. Automatic downcoding—especially by artificial intelligence—threatens physician reimbursement and the finances of independent practices. I am glad the governor has signed SB 3114 to ensure physicians get the payment they deserve for the medical services they provide.
New Court Reminder Program for Individuals on Pretrial Release
State Representative Cassidy’s House Bill 4428 was signed into law to establish new court reminders for folks that are awaiting trial. This new program will include text reminders alongside phone calls, emails, or written notices to ensure people awaiting trial know their court dates and if they have missed a court date. Our pretrial notice system is outdated, and HB 4428 will ensure people are informed about their upcoming hearings through modern technology alongside written notices in the mail.
Senator Simmons in the News
- Illinois rental junk fee ban signed into law, WAND News
- Illinois is one step closer to banning ‘junk fees’ and hidden charges on renters, Chicago Tribune
- Despite BUILD’s failure, housing advocates celebrate legislative wins, Capitol News Illinois
- Illinois Housing Development Authority Announces Creation of 1,000 Units of Affordable Rental Housing, Illinois Housing Development Authority
- Rental junk fee ban awaiting Pritzker's signature, WAND News
- Construction begins on Andersonville plaza named for late trans activist, Chicago Tribune
- Opinion: Illinois lawmakers must require microplastics testing to protect our drinking water, Crain’s Chicago Business
- Housing advocates celebrate legislative wins, Illinois Times
Trending Topics
Every week, my office receives phone calls, emails, and letters from constituents communicating what issues matter most to them, their ideas, and legislative requests. Here are the top trending correspondence issues our office has received from 7th District constituents since the previous newsletter!
- 7 supporting the POWER Act (SB 4016/HB 5513), legislation to establish commonsense guardrails to minimize the impacts of data centers and make them pay their fair share for electricity and other resource use.
- 6 supporting the prosecution of ICE and other federal agents that committed a crime.
- 5 supporting Illinois’ National Popular Vote law, which requires electoral votes of Illinois to go to the presidential candidate with the most votes nationwide.
Given the Spring session is over, correspondence has slowed over the Summer months. Please reach out to share your top priorities with me by email (
Upcoming Community Events
Chinese Mutual Aid Association DimSum 5k + 10k Saturday, August 1st | 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
The DIM SUM & THEN SOME: The Uptown 5k/10k & KIDS DASH is not just your average race—it combines the thrill of a 5K or 10K run/walk with the flavors of dim sum and bubble tea. The event draws thousands of participants, young and old, city and suburban. Participating in the Dim Sum 5K/10K as a runner and supporter contributes to a meaningful cause.
All proceeds will go towards Chinese Mutual Aid Association (CMAA)'s programs, where we empower immigrants and refugees to improve their English skills, find their first job, receive after-school/summer camp enrichment, prepare for citizenship, and learn to become entrepreneurs.
Ravenswood Feel Good Fest August 8th | 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Ravenswood Feel Good Fest will take place on Saturday, August 8 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. located at Clark and Sunnyside: a first-of-its-kind micro festival bringing together wellness, sustainability, non-profit, and arts organizations for an inclusive, all-ages, all-abilities celebration.
Feel Good Fest is about feeling good, doing good, and fostering a meaningful community. An outdoor, block party-style event, the fest will take place on Sunnyside Ave just west of Clark Street, next to the Black Ensemble Theater and Muscle & Joint Physical Therapy.
Save the Date & Donate! Back to School Bash Saturday, August 8th | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Our Annual Back-to-School Bash is back! Our Back to School Bash will be on Saturday, August 8 from 11a.m.-2 p.m. at Willy B. White Park located at 1610 W. Howard! Our office is partnering with State Representative Kelly Cassidy, Alderwoman Maria Hadden, and C24/7 to collect donations for our Back-to-School Bash. Please see the list above for what items we will be collecting. All donations can be dropped off at the following locations and times:
- State Representative Kelly Cassidy’s Office located at 1507 W. Morse Ave. from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday - Thursday.
- Alderwoman Maria Hadden’s Office located at 1447 W. Morse Ave. from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday - Thursday.
- C24/7’s Office located at 1543 W. Howard St. from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
Free Community Health Fair w/ Hamdard Health Alliance Sunday, August 9th | 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Hamdard Health Alliance is hosting a free community health fair on Sunday, August 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.! Stop by Republic Bank at 2720 W. Devon Ave. for a mobile health clinic, free backpacks, food, and a plethora of health resources.
Ainslie Winmore Block Party Saturday, August 15 | 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Join me on Saturday, August 15 at the annual Ainslie Winmore Block Party on Kenmore Ave. between Ainslie and Lawrence from noon - 6:00 p.m.! Enjoy free food, live music, games, prizes, local vendors, face painting and more.
Save the Date: Fall Nature Fest Saturday, September 12th | 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Save the date! Join Commissioner Degnen and the Forest Preserves of Cook County for a Fall Nature Fest on Saturday, September 12 from noon - 3:00 p.m. in Labagh Woods. Visit their website linked here for more info.
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
