ICE Alert Message from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

          Over the past week I have continued to witness and receive reports of ICE activity and detainments throughout the 7th District. If you have not already, please add the ICIRR (Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights) hotline into your phone: 855-435-7693. If you witness ICE or encounter them yourselves, please call this number immediately.

          My team and I have witnessed, first-hand, ICE agents on our streets across the 7th District including in Rogers Park, Lincoln Square/Budlong Woods, Edgewater, Lakeview, Ravenswood, Uptown, and West Ridge. ICE has been active throughout the northside over the past week, abducting neighbors with no due process nor respect for guaranteed rights provided by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. It is illegal activity and a gross overreach and abuse of federal power.

          On Sunday at around 10:30-11 a.m., I was out scouting for ICE near a supermarket in West Ridge when a neighbor alerted me that a violent abduction had just taken place a block away at Western and Touhy. I could not believe how the ICE agents kidnapped the person from the car by smashing the window and left the car abandoned in the middle of a busy intersection at Western and Touhy with glass on the street and the person’s ID, medications, and carseat and stuffed animal in the car. I recorded this video at the scene as I stood with shaken neighbors and remained vigilant for more ICE activity throughout the day while making contact with the Secretary of State's office to secure the car and am working with them to get the car back to the family. I then walked and biked around the 7th District in my official State Senate vest helping to scout for ICE and comfort our neighbors and supporting our rapid response and mutual aid networks.

          Since last Thursday (October 9th) in the 7th District, we have seen the following incidents, but these are in no way exhaustive of everything that has happened:

• Multiple neighbors and landscapers detained by ICE at Lincoln and Foster in Lincoln Square, including the unlawful and violent arrest of a WGN producer.
• One landscaper was abducted at Sheridan and Catalpa in Edgewater.
• At least two neighbors were abducted at Clark and Lunt in Rogers Park alongside the harassment of a long-time tamale vendor who is a lawful permanent resident.
• At least one neighbor was detained at Magnolia and Leland in Uptown.
• ICE sightings outside of local schools, including Ravenswood Elementary.
• ICE harassing and threatening neighbors conducting community watch efforts with threats of arrest and physical violence.
• Additional sightings and detainments tracked by local rapid response teams that are quickly forming and mobilizing in response to ICE’s increased activity in the 7th District. See the rest of this newsletter for full details on how to get involved with rapid response teams.

          I and my staff are working closely with local rapid response and mutual aid networks to ensure safe passage for students and families to and from school. I and our 7th District staff have also been out by bike across the 7th District on the lookout for ICE, attending community solidarity events, and assisting families and neighbors that I have seen affected by ICE directly. I’ve also been in daily communication with my colleagues in the General Assembly and allies across the State government to share community organizing plans and even locate loved ones that have been taken by ICE.

          It is crucially important that everyone knows their rights regarding immigration status, how to respond to ICE if you encounter them, how to safely and accurately report ICE activity, and how to connect with the community and help keep one another safe. Direct information on how to connect to training, outreach efforts, and upcoming events can be found through ICIRR, Protect Rogers Park, and ONE Northside. Please see below for specific upcoming training and events.

          My office and I have received an outpouring of supportive responses from people from all over northern Illinois who want to help. I am so proud of our community, who has come together, mobilized, and vowed solidarity in protecting one another.

          I am currently in Springfield for the first week of the Fall veto legislative session. Veto runs from October 14-16th and 28-30th.

          I am aggressively raising questions in the Senate about several concerning components to what has unfolded here. First, yesterday I have demanded answers as to why the Illinois State Police has been on site at the Broadview Detention facility in Broadview, Illinois where several protestors have been violated exercising their free speech rights to demonstrate. I also am deeply concerned that there has been little or no communication with legislators in our oversight capacity as to why the state troopers have played any role at Broadview. I will continue to push aggressively for answers on this. I was proud to strongly support and vote for the Illinois Trust Act in 2021 which prohibits Illinois law enforcement from cooperating with ICE. And we need to remain a sanctuary state where our state troopers, Chicago police, and other law enforcement do NOT cooperate with ICE – period. And I am furious at the sustained violence unleashed onto Chicago and our neighborhoods in recent days. This is not a time for complacency from our elected officials and those in power and we all need to be working together actively and in good communication to bring an end to all of this.

          I also am ready to strongly support several bills that are in development for the current veto session that would work to stop ICE enforcement activities in or near our schools, hospitals, and other community spaces as we’ve seen in the recent days.  I am working actively to shape these bills to make sure they will be robust and effective at keeping ICE out of our communities. I will keep you updated in my successive newsletters as the legislation is drafted and considered in the next two weeks.

          See you all again soon. If you need to reach my office, please call 773-769-1717 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sincerely,




Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

ICE Alert Message from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

          This morning ICE agents were spotted in the 7th District in Rogers Park at the corner of Clark and Lunt at approximately 10 a.m. I want to remind folks what resources are available to you. Please call the ICIRR hotline at 855-435-7693 to report any additional sightings.

          If you need to reach my office, please call 773-769-1717 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Mensaje de alerta de ICE del senador estatal Mike Simmons

Estimado vecinos,

Esta mañana, los agentes de ICE fueron vistos en el Distrito 7, en Rogers Park en la esquina de Clark y Lunt aproximadamente a las 10 a.m. Quiero hacerles recuerdo que hay recursos disponibles para todos ustedes.

Por favor, llamen a la linea directa de ICIRR al 855.435.7693 para informar de cualquier avistamiento adicional y otras observaciones de ICE.

Si necesitan contactar a mi oficina, por favor llamen al 773.769.1717 o envíen un correo electrónico al This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sincerely/Sinceramente,

Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

          I hope you have had a great week so far. For so many, the times we are living in seem uncertain and chaotic at best, but I have been so encouraged and lifted up by our communities consistently coming together to keep one another safe, cared for, protected, and informed. Whether it is coordinating workshops to make sure everyone knows their rights when it comes to immigration and unlawful ICE deportation, making sure their neighbors have enough food to eat or a ride to the doctor, or taking the time and effort to host block parties (joy is resistance), I see you, and appreciate you. Let’s keep up the momentum!

          I have a lot to share - first, to learn more about how to support our immigrant neighbors and build rapid-response networks, I encourage you to register for Saturday’s Community Defense Workshop hosted by the 40th Ward and dozens of community leaders.

          Also, thank you to everyone who signed up for Mobile DMV services on October 3 - all the time slots are full! If you still need help connecting with the Secretary of State for license or vehicle registration services, just contact my office.

          Below you will also find a crucial update in the Weiss Hospital situation - On September 23rd, CEO Dr. Manoj Prasad filed a request for an appeal to CMS, the first step in moving toward reopening the hospital. Full details and a live interview on the subject with WTTW are below.

          On September 18th, over 80 folks came out to attend my Town Hall on Immigration and Housing. I’ll be the first to admit - talking about how to protect our neighbors against unlawful ICE arrests and deportations is difficult and hard. I am so glad we came together to share facts and resources. Addressing everyday life issues, like double–digit rent increases and housing scarcity is a continual priority for me, and I truly value everyone’s thoughtful questions, advocacy, and commitment to co-governance.

          There is so much to update you about - I participated in “A Day in the 46th Ward,” with Alderwoman Clay, Mayor Johnson, and community leaders, celebrated the ribbon cutting of Hope Abortion Clinic in Uptown AND the new Advocate Illinois Masonic patient pavilion, participated in a transit town hall with Senator Villivalam and alders at Truman College, and attended the 50th Anniversary Illinois Environmental Council Leadership Dinner. Serving as your 7th District State Senator definitely keeps me busy but I love it. I look forward to seeing you at this weekend’s Applefest in Lincoln Square!

          As always, please take care of yourself and those around you. If you need help - don’t hesitate to reach out. My office and I committed to serving you and you can reach us at 773-769-1717 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sincerely,

Senator Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

Transit Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

          As I continue to push for the passage for transit funding and reform via House Bill 3438 during the October Veto Session (14th-16th and 28th-30th), I wanted to share a few impactful stories about how people in our community rely on transit every day.

          Thank you to everyone who shared their direct stories with me and my office, and a huge shout out to my summer staffer, Dohyeon, who led this project from concept to completion.

          My office and I have received several thousand emails, phone calls, and letters advocating for a transit system that is fully funded, reliable, accessible, safe, and environmentally responsible. I can assure you that I will continue to be a fierce advocate to see HB3438 over the finish line.

          As you read this e-blast, please be sure to review the last section, highlighting the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce’s Transit Impact Survey. I am incredibly grateful for the hard work and time it took to survey over 450 small businesses and residents in the Ravenswood community, which directly reports on the impact transit has on the small businesses that drive our 7th District economy. Small businesses, many of which are already facing a host of economic pressures, expressed deep concern about the ripple effects of reduced transit service. Transit impacts everyone.

          As always, I encourage you to reach out to my office if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas. You can reach my office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-769-1717.

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District