SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons passed a bill through committee on Tuesday that would allow bicyclists to perform an Idaho Stop and safely move through intersections.

“Current rules of the road prevent cyclists from being able to safely react to traffic in an intersection,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This bill grants riders the ability to make the safest decision possible when approaching a stop sign.”

Under the new legislation, Senate Bill 2111, anyone operating a bicycle on the roadways of Illinois would have the ability to perform an Idaho stop.

SPRINGFIELD – As the son of an Ethiopian refugee, as the very first Ethiopian-American to take the oath of office to serve in the Illinois Senate, State Senator Mike Simmons proudly rose during session to recognize March 2 as Adwa Day, a national holiday in Ethiopia commemorating the pivotal Battle of Adwa, celebrated by more than 130 million people throughout the Ethiopian Diaspora.

“In Illinois, and indeed in the 7^th District, there is a sizable Ethiopian and Eritrean population,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “As the son of an Ethiopian refugee, and as the very first Ethiopian-American to take the oath of office, I am proud to uplift our history and celebrate Adwa Day.”

Adwa Day commemorates the pivotal Battle of Adwa where a militia of more than 100,000 men and women decisively fought off European colonialism on March 2, 1896 in the mountain town of Adwa. Ethiopia holds the place as the only African nation to remain independent and sovereign, never colonized, and officially recognized by global powers throughout the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

SPRINGFIELD – To provide translation for the most commonly spoken languages in Illinois, State Senator Mike Simmons is pushing for legislation that would require state websites to engage automatic translation of the website into the 100 most commonly spoken languages in the state.

“Dozens of languages are commonly spoken in Illinois, and especially within the 7th District. Many state programs and resources are simply inaccessible due to language barriers, which in turn disenfranchises entire communities,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Translating state websites communicates the importance of being able to access information in a person’s native language, and increases the likelihood that people receive the help they need when turning to state resources.”

Simmons’ Senate Bill 1262 would require the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology to develop and implement a system that automatically translates websites operated by the state into the 100 most commonly spoken languages in Illinois by Jan. 1, 2026.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) released the following statement Wednesday after the governor outlined his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026:

“Right now our work is direly urgent to ensure people all across Illinois have access to quality health care. We are also at a crossroads in expanding access to quality public transit. We also must reckon and actively take action to address our state’s housing crisis. Today’s budget proposal is a start and I look forward to the weeks ahead in discussions with my colleagues in the Senate and House as we work to ensure these priorities are addressed in the final budget. 

“I am happy to see today’s proposal includes additional funding to the Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program that I spearheaded last year, which would erase medical debt for 300,000 Illinois residents. I am committed to fighting for this program and ensuring all communities have access to quality health care as a top priority.