Dear Friend,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Pride month. This one was particularly special for me. I've been celebrating Pride for years as a private citizen, but this year was the first time I celebrated it as Illinois' first openly gay state senator. It was a huge honor and I'm honored to have experienced it at such a historic time.

Below, I've included some pictures from events I attended in celebration of Pride month, as well as a few other events I took part in. There is also information about some resources you can use. Keep reading for more.

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

Important News and Resources

Upcoming Road Projects

I recently announced a new round of road improvements I've secured for our streets in the 7th District. Over the next several weeks, construction is scheduled to begin.

The following projects are expected to begin later this month:

• Pavement preservation on Peterson Ave. between Lincoln Ave. and Ridge Ave.
• Pavement preservation on Foster Ave. between Ashland Ave. and Lake Shore Drive

We will keep you informed of the dates when road work will begin.

There are also several other road projects currently in progress:

• Street Resurfacing on Clark St. between Lawrence Ave. and Ashland Ave.
• Street Resurfacing on Lawrence Ave. between Broadway Ave. and Lakeshore Drive
• Street Resurfacing on Jersey Ave./Kedzie Ave. between Lincoln Ave. and Foster Ave.

Be sure to check this newsletter every week for information on specific dates.

Rental Assistance

The Illinois Rental Payment Program is now open for tenants! You could be eligible for $25,000 or 15 months of rental assistance. Tenants have until July 18 to initiate an application. Apply at ILRPP.IHDA.org, or call the hotline for assistance: 1-866-454-3571.

Fee-based license suspensions end TODAY

Starting today, Illinois will no longer suspend a license for any ticket debt, fines or fees, including parking tickets, red-light camera tickets and abandoned vehicle fees. If your license is currently suspended or revoked due to a failure to pay a fee, it will be reinstated automatically for free by July 1. However, if there were multiple reasons for the hold on your record, your license may still be invalid. Call the secretary of state’s hotline at 217-212-6212 to check.

Senator Simmons in the District

Pride Month Reflection Press Conference

I organized and hosted a Pride Month Reflection press conference at Gerber/Hart Library and Archives. I was joined by several LGBTQIA advocates who gave their perspective on what we have achieved and what we still have left to do. You can watch the full press conference here.

Pride North

I attended the Pride North celebration in Rogers Park. It was a great opportunity to meet with area residents and discuss LGBTQIA issues and what I'm doing to fight for them.

Pride Without Prejudice

I was proud to take part in the Pride without Prejudice March. Pride Month is and always has been rooted in activism and organizing. There is no place I would rather be than in the community pushing for progress and justice. A huge thank you to all the organizers and protesters for their love for the queer community and for fighting for the lives of the black-trans community.

Nobody's Darling opening

I was honored to be invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony of a new, Black-woman-owned, queer-friendly cocktail bar that opened last week in Andersonville. We need more places like this, which can be welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA folks who might not have anywhere else to go.

Town Hall with Rep. Kelly Cassidy

I hosted a town hall with Rep. Kelly Cassidy discussing what we accomplished during our successful spring 2021 legislative session in Springfield. It's always great to have a chance to speak directly with the people we represent to get a first-hand sense of how we can better serve them. You can view the full town hall here.

Highland Hop

I attended a meet and greet with neighbors in Edgewater. It was a very informal gathering of about 50 people that took place in a front yard. We chatted, had some laughs, and got to know each other. I had a great time meeting everyone who came!

Art and Pep interview

I filmed an interview segment for the documentary Art and Pep, which tells the story of up-and-coming LGBTQIA activists in and around the Chicago area. It was a great honor to be featured!

Family Matters tour

I toured the Family Matters facility, which is an incredible organization that provides a safe place after school for kids who have experienced trauma. It was great meeting the amazing folks who work at Family Matters to provide critical support to the kids in our city who need it this most. You can read more about Family Matters on their website.

This past week was busy, with the first ever Juneteenth celebration as a federal holiday. I have been celebrating Juneteenth privately with friends and family for years, so it was nice to finally be able to celebrate it outdoors with neighbors and community members as a state and federally recognized holiday.

Below, I've included some pictures from events I attended in celebration of Juneteenth, as well as a few graduations I spoke at. There is also information about some resources you can make use of. Keep reading for more.

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

Senator Simmons in the District

 

Ravenswood Elementary Graduation

 

 

I spoke at a number of local graduation ceremonies, including Ravenswood Elementary. Ravenswood is one of the most diverse schools in Chicago, with a sizeable percentage of Latinx students. I'm proud to represent the school and its families!

 

During the graduation ceremonies, I spoke about how important it is to just be you, to be in touch with and accept who you are as a person and to embrace and honor your heritage and culture. Doing so is what made me into the person I am today, and I honored to have the opportunity so share this advice with youth from our community!

 

Juneteenth Voice of the People

 

 

Some of the most important resources that a person can take advantage of are ones offered by our neighbors. As your State Senator, I strive to have a positive, go-to attitude and always make myself available to you when you need assistance. It was an honor to meet with all of the great community leaders and advocates who do so much to support people who are struggling.

 

Juneteenth Black Lives Matter mural in Rogers Park

 

 

I joined a group of advocates to paint a Black Lives Matter mural on Paulina St. between Howard St. and Jonquil Terrace. This was a historic day for Rogers Park, and it was a privilege to stand with residents and community leaders to celebrate Juneteenth, Black joy, and Black heritage. I also want to give a special shout out to all of the amazing artists who spent hours painting the mural in 90-plus degree heat with no shade! Thank you so much for your dedication.

Upcoming Events

 

Crowning Our Kinks and Curls

 

 

RSVP here.

 

Town Hall with Rep. Kelly Cassidy

 

 

DCEO Driving Equity Webinar

 

 

Register here.

 

Lawrence Hall Healing Garden Unveiling

 

 

Pride North

 

We will be at Pride North this weekend. Be sure to come by! More information here.

 

Lincoln Square Farmers Market Reusable Bag Design Contest

 

Block Club Chicago is sponsoring a reusable bag design contest for artistic teens in the Chicago area. More details can be found here, and registration can be done here.

 

Farmers Markets

 

The Edgewater Famers Market has moved to Mondays throughout June in the Broadway Armory parking lot, 5917 N. Broadway. Sixteen local vendors will sell fruits and vegetables, fresh pastries, meats and a selection of prepared foods. More information here.

 

The Glenwood Sunday Market, located 1233-41 W. Pratt, is open on Sundays beginning June 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information here.

 

The Andersonville Farmers Market, located on Catalpa between Clark and Ashland, is open on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. More information here.

 

Other Upcoming Events

 

• Illinois Holocaust Museum Panel
   

Important Resources

 

Rental Assistance

 

Illinois Rental Payment Program opens to renters June 28

 

 

The Illinois Rental Payment Program offers up to $25,000 or 15 months of assistance to households in Illinois that are behind on rent due to pandemic-related job or wage losses. In order to qualify, tenants and housing providers must submit a joint application with proof of financial hardship as a direct or indirect result of the pandemic. The period for landlords to initiate an application is now closed, but renters can begin the application process starting Monday, June 28. Learn more here.

 

Mortgage Program

 

Need mortgage assistance? The City of Chicago’s Mortgage Assistance Program provides assistance to low-to moderate-income Chicago homeowners. The maximum grant available is $3,300, and the grant will go directly to your mortgage service. Learn more here!

 

Child Tax Credit

 

Hi Neighbor,

It has been an immense honor serving you and the folks of the 7th District this session. Throughout the session, I have prioritized equity and justice for those who need it most. I am excited to update you on the actions taken in Springfield to fight for you and a better future for Illinois.

Read on for updates on the budget, transportation projects in the 7th District, legislation of interest, and important community resources, including IHDA’s new 2021 Rental Payment Program funded by the American Rescue Plan.

The FY 2022 Budget

The General Assembly came together to pass a budget that meets the immediate needs of the communities across the state in areas of violence reduction, affordable housing, education, and public health, and ensures we strengthen child care. Besides increased funding for our K-12 schools and more money for need-based grants for our college students, it includes funding for violence reduction programs and youth summer employment. Medicaid funding was expanded, and we’ve made investments in the child care that parents need right now.

Most importantly, this budget was achieved without increasing the burden on the working people of Illinois, in part by closing four corporate loopholes worth $655 million to the state and $42 million to local governments. That is a true reflection of how we should approach state finances as we look forward to Fiscal Year 2023 and beyond.

Transportation and Infrastructure

I am excited to announce $2.5 million in construction projects in the 7th Illinois Senate District that will improve roads and make accessibility improvements. These projects represent some much-needed improvements to major arterial streets in the 7th District. These improvements will upgrade our roads, make sure the streets and sidewalks are accessible for pedestrians and people living with disabilities, and generate good jobs at the same time. The funding is part of the $20 billion Rebuild Illinois construction plan’s 2022 slate of construction.

The projects will improve:

1. 1.8 miles of U.S. 14 between U.S. 41 and Ridge Avenue (2022)
2. A mile of U.S. 41 from Ashland to Lake Shore Drive (2022)
3. Pedestrian improvements to Ridge Boulevard from Howard Street to the south of Pratt Boulevard (2023-2027)

You can see details here.

Ethics reform - SB 539

During this session, I worked with my colleagues to pass ethics reform to hold our government accountable to residents. Below are some of the updates from the ethics bill. I would have liked the ethics bill to go much farther and will be pushing for tighter restrictions in the next ethics measures we consider. 

Lobbying

• Prohibits elected officials from lobbying other units of government. 
• Prohibits executive branch officials or legislators from lobbying for six months after leaving the office or the end of the General Assembly.
• Prohibits local elected officials from lobbying for compensation for any entity that is registered to lobby their unit of government.

Campaign Finance

• Prohibits an in-person or virtual fundraiser in Illinois on a session day or the day before or after a legislative session day. 

Disclosure

• Creates a uniform statement of economic interest form. It changes the nature of what must be disclosed, including adding creditors/debtors and increasing thresholds.
• Requires candidates filing for Supreme Court Judge, appellate court judge, or circuit court judge to file their statements of economic interests in written or printed form.

Other changes

• Ends the last paycheck for nothing game: Pro-rates salaries of General Assembly members who leave office prior to the end of their term.
• Allows the Executive and Legislative Inspectors General to initiate an investigation without approval from the Executive or Legislative Ethics Commission. 
• Prohibits salaried appointees who are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate from serving as an officer for a political committee or active political committee.

Other Legislative Highlights

All of the bills below have been passed by the House and the Senate and are on the way to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.

SB 817 – Jett Hawkins Act

I am a lead sponsor on this bill. The bill bans discrimination against hairstyles in Illinois public, private and charter schools. It prohibits schools from issuing policies or including any language in handbooks about hairstyles traditionally associated with race and ethnicity, including braids, dreadlocks, and protective hairstyles. SB 817 has made local and national news. 

HB 3262

I’m the lead sponsor on this bill in the Senate. The bill passed both the House and the Senate. HB 3262 allows survivors of hate crimes to file civil suits for three additional types of crimes. Hate crimes can take many forms, including cases where someone falsely calls the police or other public safety agencies on someone else due to their race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin. This bill will enable those who are wrongfully reported to law enforcement to formally hold the caller accountable for their actions.

HB 3265

I am the lead Senate sponsor of this bill. The bill passed both the House and the Senate. HB 3265 moves to modernize how we define rape crisis organizations. Under current civil procedures, rape crisis organizations and rape crisis centers can’t be located in the same facility. This often complicates a survivor’s ability to seek resources and the entities’ ability to deliver comprehensive services. I support survivors and believe this bill will improve accessibility to critical resources.

SB 667 – The Illinois Way Forward Act

This bill was advanced by the Latino Caucus and will close three immigrant detention centers in Illinois. It ends the contracts between local jails in McHenry, Pulaski, and Kankakee counties with Immigration Customs Enforcement by Jan. 1, 2022. This bill will prohibit any future agreements between ICE and local governments to “house or detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations.” I am very proud to have co-sponsored and supported this legislation.

HB 155 – SNAP benefits for Menstrual Products

This legislation would allow menstrual hygiene products to be purchased with federal and state food assistance program benefits. These products are essential. Access to menstrual products is a right for anyone who needs them. I was proud to vote in support of this bill.

SB 636

This legislation would allow a condominium association board to specify that its membership must be made up primarily of residents who live in the building. The bill passed both the House and the Senate. Many condo owners are concerned that members of their association boards are owners who live off-site. It’s important to allow condo associations the option to ensure a majority of their board members have a vested interest in the properties and represent those who live there.

HB 58

This bill allows for the removal of racist language from property deeds and the procedure to do it. “Racial covenants” are a tool of housing discrimination that dates back to the 1920s. They use language in deeds and other property agreements to restrict housing access for BIPOC families. While these racist frameworks have been banned for decades, some of this language still exists in deeds, and this bill allows people to follow a specific process to remove it. 

SB 967

This bill expands maternal and postpartum care in Illinois by requiring the Illinois Department of Human Services to update its maternal health programs for pregnant and postpartum mothers who are considered high risk. The bill passed both the House and the Senate. The services would be led by registered nurses, social workers, and other staff approved by IDHS. The program would apply to all hospitals that deliver babies. This bill passed the Senate, and I voted in support.

HB 376

I am a sponsor of this bill in the Senate. The TEAACH Act brings holistic Asian American history to Illinois schools. The bill passed both the House and the Senate. Asian Americans have been part of American history for centuries. It’s time that their contributions and representation are highlighted in our public schools. 

SB 818

I am a sponsor of this bill. The Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act requires Illinois public and charter schools to teach comprehensive personal health and safety education in grades K-5 and comprehensive sexual health education in grades 6-12. The education will be age and developmentally appropriate, medically accurate, complete, culturally appropriate, inclusive, and trauma-informed. A parent or guardian can also opt their student out of instruction if they choose. This bill empowers young people by giving them the education and tools they need to be safe and make informed decisions for their health throughout their lives. SB 818 passed both the House and the Senate.

 

Other important legislation 

HB 3084 (Also known as SB 1826)

I am a proud sponsor of this bill. This bill creates the Consumer Choice in Maternal Care for African-American Mothers Pilot Program Act. It requires that the Task Force on Infant and Maternal Mortality Among African Americans to partner with community-based maternal care providers to develop rules and regulations for a Medicaid voucher pilot program to expand consumer choice for Black mothers. This voucher program would include planned home birth services and in-home perinatal and postpartum care services provided by racially concordant nationally accredited certified professional midwives. This also requires that the DHFS begin the program no later than Jan. 1, 2023. 

The pilot program would operate for a 5-year period. The Task Force is required to submit annual reports to the General Assembly, which will provide a status update on the pilot program and annual impact.

Black mothers in Illinois die of pregnancy-related medical causes at eight times the rate of white mothers. This is unacceptable and exposes the systemic racism in our maternal care. This bill is critical to prevent pregnancy-related deaths among black mothers in Illinois.

What’s next? The bill is still under committee consideration and likely will be taken up in early 2022.

 

Community resources

Survey for Care for Real

Care for Real is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary! They are launching a strategic planning process as they look forward to the next couple of years. Fill out this survey and share your thoughts! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/95LNJJ2  

Care for Real is now distributing 6 days a week! Their hours are below:

 

For renters:

2021 Illinois Rental Payment Program

ILRPP is an emergency rental assistance program designed to support households in Illinois that are unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tenants and housing providers must work jointly to apply for these grants until June 9, which can cover past due rent from the previous 12 months and up to three months of future rent, for up to a total of $25,000. You can read more about eligibility and how to apply here.

Starting on June 28, tenants can apply individually without their landlord!

If you need help applying for the ILRPP, contact my office at 773-769-1717.

 

What’s going on in the 7th District?

Edgewater Monday Market 

The Edgewater Farmers Market has moved to Mondays at 7 p.m. throughout June in the Broadway Armory parking lot, 5917 N. Broadway. Sixteen local vendors will sell fruits and vegetables, fresh pastries, meats, and a selection of prepared foods. Read details.

Farmers Markets open in Rogers Park and Andersonville 

The Glenwood Sunday Market,1233-41 W. Pratt, is open on Sundays beginning June 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Details. The Andersonville Farmers Market located on Catalpa between Clark and Ashland is open on Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. Details.

Vaccine event!

The Rogers Park Presbyterian Church and Near North Medical Group are hosting a community vaccine event at the church, 7059 N. Greenview Ave., on Saturday, June 19 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. They will be administering the Pfizer vaccine, so anyone 12 years of age or older can get vaccinated! No insurance required. Parents or guardians must be present for minors to receive the vaccine. This will be a walk-up event; no appointment is necessary.

 

Your friend,

Mike Simmons
State Senator, 7th Illinois Senate District

In his first 100 days, Senator Simmons has sponsored or cosponsored more than 100 pieces of legislation, resolved over 100 constituent casework requests, and answered more than 500 letters, phone calls, and email messages from 7th district constituents. 

It has been the privilege of a lifetime and a joy to serve the communities that raised me -- Lincoln Square, Uptown, Edgewater, Rogers Park, West Ridge, Ravenswood, Andersonville, and Evanston. I am proud to represent one of the most diverse Senate districts in the state. In this letter, I want to share with you updates from the capital, our district’s impact in Springfield, and what you can expect from me in the 100 days to come. Here is a quick video covering 100 days of representing the 7th District of Illinois!

From day 1, I promised that I would change the expectations for representative government in our district.  As the first Black and openly LGBTQIA+ Senator for the 7th district, I am committed to working tirelessly to amplify the voices and urgent needs of the residents of our district: Our immigrants, those struggling with access to housing, seniors, people in-between jobs, single mothers, returning citizens, LGBTQIA+ people, young people, and others hit hardest by the pandemic. Let me catch you up on my first 100 days: