SPRINGFIELD – To respond to the increasing demand for teachers and daycare providers across Illinois, State Senator Mike Simmons’ initiative to strengthen workforce recruitment in Illinois was signed into law Friday.

“This is a step toward providing quality education and childcare for Illinois families to alleviate the burden many in our communities are facing,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “With this law, we will collect feedback from communities across Illinois about their specific needs and how we can address them, ensuring families and children are being taken care of by the best.”

Under the new law, House Bill 814, the existing State Comprehensive Day Care Plan survey of day care facilities will include feedback from groups and individuals with relevant expertise and lived experiences with the goal of promoting workforce recruitment and retention for educators and childcare providers.

CHICAGO – To address the housing crisis that the 7^th District and entire state of Illinois faces, State Senator Mike Simmons led a Senate Human Rights Committee subject matter hearing on Tuesday entitled ”Housing as a Human Right.”

“The hearing is in direct response to what my office witnesses on a daily basis, which is people in a housing crisis,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Common threats to stable, accessible, affordable housing include double-digit rent increases, the threat of eviction, building neglect and disrepair, homelessness, and domestic violence. No matter what part of Illinois you live in, there is a lack of sufficient accessible, quality housing, and the purpose of this hearing is to amplify this issue and affect real change.”

 The “Housing as a Human Right” hearing held in Chicago heard from residents who have, and currently face challenges to their housing, as well as advocates and community leaders about the challenges to access and affordability to housing currently in Chicago and all of Illinois. Testimonies touched in astronomical rent increases, the shortage of shelter resources, the deterioration of aging buildings, social services, and property taxes in creating and maintaining more affordable housing in Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons is sponsoring legislation to strengthen workforce recruitment and retention for educators and childcare providers in Illinois.

“We need a plan for Illinois families and childcare providers to be able to find the best employees possible,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “By getting feedback from all parties, we can create a comprehensive plan that sets children, families and providers up for success.”

Under the legislation, the existing State Comprehensive Day Care Plan survey of day care facilities would include feedback from groups and individuals with relevant expertise and lived experiences with the goal of promoting workforce recruitment and retention for educators and childcare providers.

“We need to hear from the folks directly affected by workforce challenges, and with this legislation, we can bring more people to the table while we continue to address this ongoing problem,” Simmons said. “With the help of communities across the state who are struggling with childcare solutions, we can find better ways Illinois can assist in addressing the employment shortcomings.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services announced Thursday more than 52,000 Illinois residents have been relieved of their medical debt under the state’s new Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program championed by State Senator Mike Simmons this year.

“I am thrilled that, as a result of The Medical Debt Relief Act, 52,000 Illinoisans have received medical debt relief in October alone,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Medical debt should never place a burden on families who’ve endured a medical crisis. I am proud that we are taking rapid action as a state to wipe out medical debt for families and individuals and support them with a more secure financial future.”

Under the first round of the Illinois’ Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program, 52,745 Illinois residents have had over $72 million worth of medical debt relieved. The program – established through legislation Simmons led this spring – is part of a larger commitment to erase roughly $1 billion in medical debt across Illinois.