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

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

          I hope you had a good week. I will be honest - the news cycle has been intense since my last newsletter just 6 days ago. In the face of national political violence, increased ICE presence in Chicago, and the coming impact of federal cuts to funding across many sectors, I know it is a stressful time. I want to commend everyone who is safely exercising their first amendment rights to peacefully protest against federal agents descending on Chicago and the surrounding area. I remain steadfast in continuing to fight for real community safety and peace in Illinois, and implementing violence prevention resources that actually work. 

          Also, I commit to you all to continue to hold regular town halls to address issues affecting the 7th District. I invite you to join me this coming Thursday, September 18 from 6 - 7 p.m. for an in-person Immigration and Housing Town Hall at the Swedish American Museum located at 5211 N. Clark in Andersonville. I will share important immigration resources, address ICE presence and the potential for federal agents in Chicago. I will also talk directly about housing, as it continues to be the number one issue that my office fields. You can expect to hear updates from me about the housing shortage supply, rent increases, legislation I am carrying this year on housing, including HB3564 which will protect renters from egregious rental “junk” fees, as well as important updates on LIHEAP. I look forward to seeing you, please rsvp here: bit.ly/simmonsthsep.

          As a reminder, if you need assistance due to ICE detention or spot ICE agents in our community, please call ICIRR's Family Support Hotline: 855-435-7693. Finally, please reach out to my office if you have any questions: 773-769-1717. 

          As much as you are able, please take stock of your wellbeing and do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you need help with wellness, health, mental health, or any other resource. 

          Below includes the latest development regarding Weiss Hospital, what you need to know about LIHEAP, and continued immigration resources. Please take care of yourself and one another, and I look forward to seeing you at my Town Hall on Thursday!

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

          As President Trump continues to say he will be sending federal agents and potentially the National Guard to Chicago, I am focused on ensuring that all of our neighbors are prepared for what is to come. As the son of a refugee and asylum seeker, the moment we are living in is incredibly personal. I will not stand idly by and allow for people in America to live in the same fear and oppression my family and so many others fled.

          We know what President Trump wants. He wants to manufacture a crisis to retaliate against a city whose people do not support him or his tyrannical regime. Then, after establishing a police force for political theater, Trump will claim he has solved the problem of crime in Chicago.

          As Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker have made clear, crime in Chicago has reached remarkable reductions in the past year with the help of expanded violence prevention efforts, including youth engagement programs and the state ban on assault weapons, all of which I have staunchly supported and worked hard to bring to fruition. I actually care about real community safety and peace in Illinois, and we continue to fight for violence prevention resources that actually work.

          As we watch closely for updates and prepare for what’s to come, I want to encourage everyone to continue to do what we do best - organize and keep each other safe.

          Please take the time to familiarize yourself, friends, and family members with the constitutional and legal rights that every American has. At icirr.org, listed below, and located in my district office (1040 W. Bryn Mawr), you can find 'Know Your Rights' handouts and portable cards available in 16 languages. Please carry around a 'Know Your Rights' card at all times, particularly if you plan on exercising your right to protest. Know your rights to fight back in the best way we have available: the law.

          If you need assistance due to ICE detention, please call ICIRR's Family Support Hotline: 855-435-7693. Finally, please reach out to my office if you have any questions: 773-769-1717. We must support each other and our great city of Chicago. Stay safe and look out for one another. I look forward to protesting alongside you.

          Below are many additional updates - including a recap of my August Town Hall, my continued push for a special session to address the transit fiscal cliff, my 100% Environmental Scorecard for the fourth year in a row, and highlights of community events like Argyle Night Market, Bike the Drive, and CMAA’s ribbon cutting. Coming up, I’m looking forward to the Oktoberfest Senior Luncheon as well as celebrating 150 Years of Merz Apothecary in Lincoln Square.

          In terms of upcoming events, I invite you to my upcoming Immigration and Housing Town Hall set for Thursday, September 18th, 2025 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. The location will be announced soon via email to those who RSVP, in a future newsletter, and on social media. You can rsvp here: bit.ly/simmonsthsep.

          One final call to action: as Weiss hospital continues to struggle to demonstrate competent and responsive leadership, I encourage you to hold them accountable. I am committed to maintaining pressure to bring this safety net hospital back on-line, and if they cannot do it, to look for someone who can.

          Please take care of yourself and one another, and I look forward to seeing you around the 7th District!

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District