Details: Category: Newsletters; Friday, February 21, 2025 03:36 PM

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

My 2025 legislative agenda has been officially filed, and I am proud to share that I will be carrying over thirty bills for the next two years as part of the 104th General Assembly. My legislative agenda focuses on housing, human rights, transportation, healthcare, the environment, and education. As in past years, I’ve learned what is important to you through one-on-one conversations, walk-ins to my office, phone calls, community events, town halls, and organized advocacy. All of these interactions directly inform the legislation I bring forth, and I want to thank everyone for being engaged and passionate about what you want to see for our community and society in coming years. Please take a moment to read through all of the bills below and check out the status page of each linked on ilga.gov to stay up-to-date with my legislation.

Also below is an update on the committees I will be sitting in for the 104th General Assembly, my response to Governor Pritzker’s budget address, a recap of my visit to the Plainfield Pace dispatch facility, and community events. Keep scrolling to learn about important grant opportunities for families at-risk of homelessness, small businesses, and a reminder to seek out warming locations as we experience extreme weather.

One last item to share that I am excited about - on Saturday, tune in to ABC7 at 6 p.m. to catch me in a special Black History Month feature on Black Hair, where I share my personal story, background as the son of a salon owner, and legislation fighting against hair discrimination. You can also watch the full special here.

It’s been a busy few weeks, and stay tuned for even more updates in the coming days. Stay warm, and take care of one another!

Sincerely,
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Senator Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

Details: Category: Newsletters; Friday, February 07, 2025 03:11 PM

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

Before we continue to push for progress in 2025, I wanted to share everything we accomplished together in 2024. This newsletter contains a complete rundown of our accomplishments in 2024, including statistics on my legislative and outreach efforts. From passing 83 bills (which includes bills I authored, Chief-Cosponsored or Co-Sponsored) to attending 294 community events in 2024, I am as committed as ever to fighting for you in the Illinois Senate and connecting with you out and about in the 7th District.

Looking to the future, I stood with colleagues to introduce the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, a new piece of legislation that would prohibit Illinois’ major retirement systems from making new investments in fossil fuel companies. We must take action to reduce the State’s investment into fossil fuels, and I am proud to be leading efforts to divest from the fossil fuel industry.

I am also committed to advocating for and protecting our migrant neighbors from the oppressive efforts of the current federal administration. I recently sent out a Know Your Rights/Conozca sus Derechos newsletter including important information for neighbors at risk. Please take a moment to review this newsletter whether you think you are at risk or not. Every member of our community has rights that must be recognized—regardless of immigration status—and everyone should be aware of these rights to help protect one another.

Sincerely,
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Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

Details: Category: Newsletters; Wednesday, January 29, 2025 08:49 AM

Dear Neighbor,

One of the most beautiful things about the 7th District is that it is home to people from all over the globe. Our diverse range of backgrounds are a gift, which is why I want to share that I know that having ICE raids in our communities and neighborhoods is scary and stressful. I want to let you know that I and my office are here to provide help and assistance where we can and encourage everyone to know your rights under Illinois law. Below are laws in place which help protect against unlawful harassment and racial profiling. I also encourage you to visit these trusted resources: icirr.org and immigrantjustice.org.

The Illinois Trust Act and the VOICES Act protects all residents from warrantless arrest in a variety of safe spaces, including churches, schools, hospitals, and group homes.

Additionally, immigrant-rights experts are reminding residents to:

Refuse to open the door to their home unless presented with a warrant signed by a judge.
Exercise the right to remain silent and not answer questions.
Do not sign anything without speaking to an attorney.
If detained, get a lawyer trained in immigration law. Call the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights helpline at 1-855-435-7693 to connect with experts in immigration law.

The 7th District is, and always will be, home to people from all over the globe. My office and I are dedicated to helping where we can. For anyone who needs resources in additional languages, please reach out and my office will help make those available. 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,
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Senator Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

Details: Category: Newsletters; Tuesday, January 14, 2025 04:00 PM

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you have had a wonderful holiday season and new year’s with family and friends. I started the year back in Springfield for the Lame Duck session running from January 2-7. The Lame Duck session is the final days of a General Assembly where legislators finish passing legislation before a reset of all legislation and those elected in November start their term on Inauguration Day.

I am thrilled to share that during Lame Duck, major pieces of legislation that I introduced and have been fighting for passed and will now be signed into law. The Safe Public Drinking Water Act (Senate Bill 727), as well as Senate Bill 899, a major traffic safety improvement bill both passed. Additionally, Karina’s Bill, of which I have been an outspoken advocate and co-Sponsor, has now passed the House and Senate. This bill empowers law enforcement to grant more protection to survivors of domestic violence and save lives.You can read about more details on these bills below. Additionally, the Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act passed both chambers, a bill that I was proud to co-sponsor that will make it easier for children in foster care to live with their relatives or other people close to them. All of these new laws will make an immediate impact on the lives of folks living in the 7th District and throughout Illinois. To everyone who tirelessly advocated, wrote letters, attended rallies, did research, and shared your stories - thank you. We did it together and I am honored to have passed laws that come directly from our community.

Finally, on Wednesday, January 8, I was inaugurated into my third term as your 7th District Illinois State Senator. It is a towering honor to be given the opportunity to continue to serve you, and I am already hard at work for the upcoming four year term.

Sincerely,

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Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District