General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

          First, I hope this letter finds you warm, healthy, and well. It has been a very cold, very snowy beginning to winter. As we enter the holiday season, I am grateful for the 7th District - for our welcoming spirit, compassion, generosity, and care that we take for one another.

          I have historic news to share - in the past week, two major pieces of legislation that I fought hard to pass were signed into law! This week on Tuesday, I attended the long-awaited bill signing of Senate Bill 2111, the transit funding and reform package that establishes $1.5 billion in sustainable revenue and robust reforms of our public transit system in Illinois!

Caption: Senator Simmons at the signing of SB2111 in Union Station this week alongside Governor Pritzker, CTA workers, labor leaders, state, county, and city colleagues.

          On Tuesday, December 9, I had the great honor of attending the bill signing of House Bill 1312, aka SALT ICE, which I co-sponsored and fought for, at La Villita Church in Little Village. The room was filled with families and communities impacted by ICE, advocacy leaders and partners, rapid responders, and my colleagues in the state legislature. ICE continues to terrorize communities throughout all of Illinois, and I have witnessed the chaos and violence they have brought with my own eyes. HB1312 allows Illinois citizens and residents to bring civil actions (lawsuits) against any person who deprives them of their constitutional rights while conducting civil immigration enforcement, including ICE or Border Patrol personnel, requires a 1000-foot zone around courthouses where no immigration enforcement can occur, and requires public higher education to establish procedures when encountering ICE on campus. To read the new law in its entirety, please visit ILGA.gov.

Caption: Senator Simmons attends the signing of House Bill 1312 on December 9 in Little Village.

          Additionally, Medical Aid in Dying, SB1950, was signed into law by Governor Pritzker on December 12. This law will allow qualified, terminally ill patients the option to obtain mediation to peacefully end their lives on their own terms and will go into effect September 12, 2026.

          I am also excited to see my signature “Pink Mailer” hit mailboxes! This mailer highlights my legislative and budget updates from the last year. If you have not received yours yet or would like more, just contact my office and will be sure to get it to you!

          As we prepare to close the district office for a well-deserved holiday break, please take note of important resources below and share them widely. Community warming centers, food pantries, and shelter information is below.

          Also, even though SNAP benefits have been reinstated, new eligibility requirements will go into effect beginning February 1, 2026. This means that folks who are adults ages 18-54 with no "dependent" children under 18 and no disabilities will be required to meet new work requirements to continue receiving SNAP benefits. Let me be clear - no one should have to prove they need food. Nutritious food is a basic human need, and if you are concerned about these changes and how they affect you or your family, please reach out to my office.

          My district office will be closed for the holidays December 22 - January 2 and will reopen Monday, January 5. If you need to reach us, please call us at 773-769-1717 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and we will respond as soon as we can. Please take care of one another this holiday season. I look forward to seeing you out and about as we celebrate, and look forward to welcoming a prosperous and peaceful 2026.

With Gratitude,

Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

          First, thank you to everyone who came out for my town hall last Thursday at Truman College! Making sure folks hear from me first-hand is important, and I am grateful to everyone who took the time to attend and engage. I was glad to provide direct updates about bills that passed during veto session, including the hard-fought passage of House Bill 1312 - a comprehensive immigration and constitutional rights protection package in response to ICE and CBP presence in Illinois, and the passage of Senate Bill 2111, a historic transit funding and reform bill. I also provided updates on advancing a bill to protect renters from egregious junk fees. I am already looking ahead to the 2026 spring legislative session and have a very productive agenda planned, with over 59 bill ideas already in the works. With the veto session fully wrapped up, we are now waiting for Governor Pritzker to sign HB1312 and SB2111!

          A huge shout out to the resource providers and small businesses that participated to make last week’s town hall truly unique, supportive, and welcoming! We had therapy dogs from Canine Therapy Corps, tea from local Edgewater small business DMApothecary, art activities led by The Chicago Mosaic School, CMAA, SEAC, Centro Romero, and ECA with us as well at the veto session recap town hall.

          I also want to take a moment to honor Trans Day of Remembrance. I had the privilege of lifting up and honoring all of the resplendent achievements of trans people all throughout history at a press conference on the corner that is named in memory of our sister, Elise Malary. Elise’s life – and every trans life – MATTERS, and we must continue to show up, take up space, and fight for trans rights more than ever before.

Caption: Senator Simmons, alongside Alderperson Bennett and Equality Illinois advocates honor Trans Day of Remembrance on November 20 in Andersonville.

          As we enter the beginning of the holiday season, THANK YOU to everyone who has donated food and goods to the food pantry we set up in my district office as a result of federal SNAP cuts earlier this month. To-date, we have provided food and necessary items for over 198 people. Even though SNAP funding has been reinstated, the need continues. My office will continue to receive and distribute donations throughout December!

            Caption: Generous donations received to the district office food pantry!

          Finally, to all of you, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for our incredible community who has come together this past year to keep each other safe, feed one another, provide safe passage for students, serve our seniors, house one another, and so much more. The 7th District is a strong and welcoming place, and I could not be more grateful.

          My district office will be closed for Thanksgiving from Nov.26 - 30, and will reopen Monday, Dec. 1. As always, please reach out if you need anything - you can always call 773-769-1717 and leave a voicemail or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

Message from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

          Please join me in-person, this Thursday November 20 from 5 - 6:30 p.m. for a Town Hall at Truman College (in the McKeon lobby) where I will unpack what was accomplished during Veto session, including fighting passionately to pass legislation to counter ICE and sharing on the Senate floor the impact ICE has on the 7th District, passing $1.5 billion in public transit funding and reform into law, and banning renter junk fees. Please click here to RSVP.

          This town hall is designed to provide important legislative updates but to also serve the community with healing practices, trauma recovery support (including canine therapy), and creative activities. We will have an on-site free mobile food pantry, and resource partners to encourage and support wellness.

          My office has been a mutual aid hub since November 1, and to-date have provided free food and essential items to over 128 neighbors in need. We are still helping many people every day! Please bring any new, unopened non-perishible food items and toiletries to this town hall, and we will be sure folks in need receive them!

          Thank you to all of the partner organizations and local small businesses participating to make this town hall unique and filled with resources!

• Canine Therapy Corps
• The Chicago Mosaic School
• DMApothecary
• Indo American Center
• Apna Ghar
• Centro Romero
• Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago
• Chinese Mutual Aid Association
• South East Asia Center

          If you would like to volunteer or support in any way, please contact my office at 773-769-1717 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

SNAP Update Message from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

          Today is Wednesday, October 29 and I am in Springfield for the second and final week of Veto. While I am focused on passing legislation that serves the 7th District - like transit reform and renter’s rights - I want you to know that my heart is with you all, especially in light of the fact that SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits will halt this Sunday, November 1 due to the unnecessary federal government closure. Important: SNAP benefits from months prior to November can still be used. Across the entire country, all enrolled in SNAP, over 40 millions people, will not receive benefits in November. You can read my formal statement on this issue here.

          In the 7th District, 25,869 residents depend on SNAP. 7,086 of these residents ARE CHILDREN, 10,708 are between the ages of 19-59, and 8,075 are over the age of 60 (per the Illinois Department of Human Services). I know what it feels like to go to bed hungry, and as your state senator, I will not stand idly by and allow any child, any senior, or any family to needlessly go hungry in my district.

          Beginning Monday, November 3, I am transforming my district office, located at 1040 W. Bryn Mawr, into a mutual aid hub to make sure as many people as possible are fed. I and my staff will be accepting non-perishible, shelf-stable nutritious food, toiletry items, and diapers. Our hours will be Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

          This is a call to action. If you have the ability to drop off a donation, volunteer your time to help receive donations and distribute them, or contribute by providing outreach, please call or stop by my office. I and my staff will make sure individuals who are not able to leave their homes or feel safe leaving will receive food, and will coordinate drop-offs of donations to our local food pantries.

          Also, it is critically important that we support our incredible food pantries, they need resources, volunteers, and donations. Below you will find a comprehensive list of these organizations in the 7th District.

          As we approach the holiday season, a time of year that emphasizes generosity and celebration, I know we will overcome this challenging moment together, just as we always do. We need helpful, caring, friendly neighbors to support this community effort and truly appreciate all of you.

          If you would like to support in any way, please contact my office at 773-769-1717 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. From my heart to yours, thank you.

Sincerely,




Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District