Dear neighbor,

I wanted to say another huge thank you to everyone who donated for the Afghan Refugee Welcome Kit drive! We donated over five pallets of supplies ranging from pots and pans, to clothing, toiletries, and some small furniture items. I am the proud son of an Ethiopian refugee and when my family arrived here, we received a helping hand from community members. I was overjoyed to see our community showing the same warm welcome to the refugees who are relocating to the 7th District. I want to also give a major thank you to State Representative Kelly Cassidy for all of her office’s work to recruit volunteers for the event and collect supplies! She has been an incredible partner in Springfield and a powerhouse for advocacy in our community.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who came this past Sunday morning to transport all of the items into a moving truck. Once again, our community has shown up!

Wrap up of Successful Welcoming Kit drive for Afghan Refugees

This Saturday is Trans Day of Remembrance
#BlackTransLivesMatter #SuicidePrevention #HB2542
On Trans Day of Remembrance, we confront the violence rampant in Chicago and across the country. Political, religious, and institutional contempt for trans people threatens the physical and emotional safety of trans lives everywhere. Rates of trans suicide and homicide are at record highs. In response to this violence, we will raise up the talent, beauty, and power of our trans communities and invite our allies to engage in concrete action steps to love, support, and protect trans lives. I stand with Chicago Therapy Collective in solidarity this Transgender Day of Resilience.

Chicago Therapy Collective is also hosting a Facebook Live Premiere so that we can all witness their passionate performance of Wildfires (Sault, 2020) featuring all trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive BIPOC Artists. The performance reflects the epidemic of transphobia and its intersections with racism and criminal injustice that takes so many trans Lives every year.

I am also a proud sponsor of HB 2542- the Name Change Modernization Law
Currently, the Illinois name change laws are some of the most strict in the country and are deeply harmful to people who are gender-expansive, trans people, and survivors of human trafficking. The current law bans people from legally changing their name if they have a felony conviction until 10 years after their sentence has ended. HB 2542, sponsored by Representative Kelly Cassidy, would knock-down this ban and allow trans folks, gender-expansive people, and survivors a path to change their name and be who they are. This bill is supported by organizations such as Equality Illinois, Task Force Prevention and Community Services, Transformative Justice Law Project, Chicago House and Social Service Agency, and the ACLU of Illinois. I am a proud sponsor of the bill and stand as an LGBTQIA+ advocate alongside the Chicago Therapy Collective.

Friday was Chicago Public Schools’ Vaccine Awareness Day

#ChildrenCarryOn Campaign
 Last Friday, my office launched the #ChildrenCarryOn Campaign to highlight the true resilience of the children of the 7th District. These children have made some of the biggest sacrifices with the least reward these last 18 months. We should celebrate them and lift up their courage in getting vaccinated. To kick off the campaign, I visited Gale Elementary, Kilmer Elementary, and Goudy Elementary and handed out stickers with a local parent to kids who got the vaccine.

I wanted to share with you other ways to book an appointment near you.
Chicago Public School regional vaccination clinics and mobile school-based events and clinic information can be found below:

• Use this link to view the schedule for the clinics.
• Use this link to view the schedule for mobile events.
• Visit cps.edu/vaccinations for more information and vaccine opportunities.

Sen. Simmons in the news

• Simmons to wrap up kit drive for Afghan refugees
   
• Afghan-families-will-be-able-to-choose-from-donated-clothes-and-supplies-gathered-in-chicago
   
• Community Weclomes Afghan Refugees

Next Week!

Tele-Town Hall for COVID-19 Resources:

My office is hosting a tele-town hall with state officials across the North side of Chicago! We have gathered leaders from service organizations throughout the district and beyond to help people coming out of the pandemic. You can call in at 312-626-6799 with passcode 686019 or use this zoom link:
Plase click this link to join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/99262127289?pwd=bTUyVTNqdjZBajBkQy9XWW5zcUxEQT09
Passcode: 686019

Rep Kelly Cassidy’s office, Ald. Hadden, Ald. Osterman, and my office are running a coat drive to be donated to social service agencies in the district. You can donate your coat at 5533 N Broadway until Dec. 10th!

Community Updates:

Resources for Veterans
Belated Happy Veterans Day to all of those who served, currently serve, and their families. Today, we must recognize the need for mental health access for our veterans of color, women, and LGBTQIA community. Rates of homelessness and mental illness are still high among our veteran community. My office wanted to share the resources in the district for our service members. Please feel free to reach out to our district office to find out other benefits for current and veteran service members.

Resources for Veterans of Color
The U.S. Veterans Administration has established a center for veterans of color. You can check it out here at https://www.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/.

Resources in the 7th District

National Diabetes Month

Swedish Covenant Health
On the first Tuesday of every month at 4 p.m., join a diabetes care and education specialist for an engaging presentation on how to stay one step ahead of your diabetes through healthy lifestyle habits, careful nutrition, exercise, glucose monitoring and medication. No physician referral is required. Register for this event>>

Insulin
If you are struggling to pay for insulin and diabetes medication, the American Diabetes Association has a list of resources that you can use.

Out in the Community

Uptown Chamber of Commerce-Casino Night!
 

I joined Uptown United and the Uptown Chamber of Commerce for their casino night! I had a great time meeting business owners, teachers, non-profit leaders and residents of the Uptown neighborhood! I want to give a special congratulations to Sarah Wilson on being the new Executive Director.

Edgewater Environmental Coalition- Pumpkin Smash!

I spent a wonderful afternoon with the Edgewater Environmental Coalition and the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce gathering pumpkins so that they can be composted. Thank you to everyone who brought their pumpkins!

Youth People’s Legislative Council- Uplift High School

I held my 2nd Youth People's Legislative Council at Uplift STEAM High School, which provides a curriculum focused on social justice. We talked about violence in Uptown, mental health access, and ideas on how we can create more affordable housing in the neighborhood. These young people are my policy advisors!

Reopening of 15 businesses in Rogers Park

I joined Alderwoman Maria Hadden, the Rogers Park Business Alliance and small business owners in cutting the ribbons to celebrate the reopening of 15 businesses in Rogers Park! As the son of a longtime Rogers Park salon owner, I took great joy in celebrating these diverse business owners!

Planting Grasses with the Edgewater Environmental Coalition - Osterman Beach!

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 773-769-1717 if we can help you with anything.

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons

State Senator | 7^th District