Press Releases

SPRINGFIELD – To support rideshare drivers across the state, State Senator Mike Simmons joined State Senator Ram Villivalam and fellow legislators alongside hundreds of advocates on Wednesday at the Capitol to support rideshare driver unionization in Illinois.

“Folks across our state ensure people get to where they need to go everyday, and as such a vital part of our lives, they deserve the ability to negotiate for their own work environment,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This legislation will give the opportunity for drivers to fight for a better working environment and ensures that Illinois has their back.” 

With a rising number of adults who work as taxi drivers or chauffeurs for their primary job over the last decade thanks to rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, rideshare drivers have spoken out about their lack of rights, protections and transparency on pay.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons is leading a measure that would establish the “Operation Midway Blitz” Small Business Restoration Grant Program that would provide support to Illinois small businesses who have been economically impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Operation Midway Blitz has created a ghost town effect in Illinois’ small business corridors. The resulting 515% surge in enforcement actions has triggered a localized economic shutdown, with small business revenues plummeting. I have witnessed first-hand the impact on corridors in the 7th District,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “To safeguard the economic foundations of communities throughout the State of Illinois, we must establish a stabilizing institution.”

Simmons’ legislation, Senate Bill 2810, would establish a Small Business Restoration Grant Program to assist independently-owned brick-and-mortar small businesses impacted by ICE during Operation Midway Blitz. The legislation would create a $50 million grant program for businesses with 25 or fewer full-time employees that have been impacted.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) released the following statement regarding the fatal shooting of Officer John Bartholomew that occurred at Endeavor Swedish Hospital on Saturday, April 25:

“My family and I have been patients at Endeavor Swedish Hospital for decades, and on Saturday, I found my beloved childhood neighborhood barricaded and on lockdown due to an active shooter.

“I commend law enforcement and our local leaders for their swift action that led to the apprehension of the alleged shooter. I want to honor the life of Officer John Bartholomew. Officer Bartholomew was just 38 years old and had served with the Chicago Police Department for over a decade before his life was tragically taken.

SPRINGFIELD – To empower renters and provide them with additional opportunities to own their housing, State Senator Mike Simmons presented legislation to the Senate Executive Committee on Thursday that would give tenants the first right to purchase when a property is put up for sale.

“We want to empower residents with the opportunity to buy their home outright when the sale of a building occurs,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This process would help facilitate resident ownership by preventing outside investors like private equity firms from absorbing properties before tenants have the chance.”

During Thursday’s subject matter hearing, Simmons presented Senate Bill 3762. Under the measure, property owners would be required to notify their tenants and the Illinois Housing Development Authority when they intend to sell the property, giving tenants the right of first refusal if the owner receives an offer to purchase the property. This would give residents the right to purchase their building in advance of all other parties.