SPRINGFIELD – To ensure property owners who limit rental, ownership or occupancy to people ages 55 and up have ample heating and cooling, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced a House bill out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

“Senior residents are at a higher risk for heat stroke during summer months,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This bill will hold landlords, condominium associations and other property owners accountable in ensuring our older resident neighbors, both in the 7th District and across the state, live in safe and humane housing conditions.”

House Bill 2562 changes the Common Interest Community Association Act, the Condominium Property Act and the Landlord and Tenant Act to provide heating and cooling standards for properties that limit their ownership, rental and occupancy to people 55 years old or older. Between June 1 and Sept. 30, cooling systems must operate when the heat exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Between Oct. 1 and May 31 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., heat must register at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit when the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., heat must register at least 62 degrees Fahrenheit. If the property does not have a building-wide cooling system for individual units, then at least one indoor common gathering space with a cooling system must be provided.

“No one should live in a residence that is too cold in the winter and sweltering in the summer, especially those at a higher health risk,” Simmons said. “Safe, accessible and operational housing is a basic human right.”

This bill is correlated with Simmons’ Senate Bill 2013, which requires any residential building that is state-funded to meet minimum standard of living conditions to continue receiving funding from the program and was inspired when three residents of a Rogers Park senior living complex tragically died of suspected heat exhaustion.

House Bill 2562 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. 

CHICAGO – To celebrate Earth Day, share information on reducing our carbon footprint and promote cleaning up our planet, State Senator Mike Simmons is inviting community members to join him at the Institute of Cultural Affairs’ Earth Day Celebration. 

The celebration will take place on Saturday, April 22 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Winthrop Family Historical 4628 N. Winthrop Ave., Chicago. The ICA is hosting the event with Wards 46 and 48, along with the Uptown Chamber of Commerce.

“Our planet deserves love and care, and as someone who is constantly riding my bike or taking a stroll outside, I am excited to participate in this Earth Day Celebration to do my part in helping our environment,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “I invite everyone to attend this event to learn more about caring for the Earth, while also enjoying the beautiful outdoors.”

The event will include live music, rhythm movement, conversation tables, prizes and food. Senator Simmons will speak at 1 p.m.

In addition to the Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, the ICA will offer Sunrise Yoga along the Lake at 8 a.m. at Lawrence and Lake Michigan, as well as Clean & Green Community Cleanup events at Brenneman Elementary School, Buttercup Park and Lake Michigan.

For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Simmons’ district office at 773-769-1717.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure local governments do not compromise driver or pedestrian safety in order to accommodate large trucks on non-designated highways, State Senator Mike Simmons passed a measure out of the Senate on Friday.

“Construction on highways can be time consuming, dangerous and can significantly impact traffic flow,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This legislation will allow local governments to avoid such a big undertaking by not requiring them to change their non-designated highways to accommodate larger trucks and vehicles.”

Senate Bill 2278 provides that an agency or local government will not be required to design, construct, widen or alter a non-designated highway to accommodate trucks between 55 and 65 feet in length. Additionally, a local government will be required to report to the Illinois Department of Transportation any limitations that prohibit the operation of vehicles on non-designated highways and any non-designated highway that is not designed or constructed after Jan. 1, 2023 to accommodate trucks between 55 and 65 feet in length.

“Widening intersections to accommodate these larger trucks takes away space that can be used for bike lanes, pedestrian walkways and green space,” Simmons said. “This is an unnecessary undertaking for what is, on many roads, only an occasional need.”

Senate Bill 2278 now heads to the House for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To encourage cooperative housing developments, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced a measure out of the Senate on Thursday.

“Many communities across Illinois are experiencing a severe shortage of affordable housing,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Cooperative housing models help to fill that gap by providing lower-income individuals access to long-term permanent housing.”

Senate Bill 1484 creates the Cooperative Housing Fund, which would be used by the Illinois Housing Development Authority to award up to $5 million in grants to organizations developing cooperative housing for residents with an income less than or equal to the median income within the municipality.

This measure will promote cooperative housing, a form of housing where entities own the residential building, but its residents are shareholders of the entity. Cooperative housing provides a viable alternative to homeownership for low- to middle-income earners who may not be able to buy a home, while adding a key affordable housing option to those who need it.

“Creating a Cooperative Housing Fund is the first step to ensuring everyone has access to affordable housing,” Simmons said. “Shelter is not only a basic need, but living in a good home should be a right to which no one is denied.”

Senate Bill 1484 passed the Senate and now heads to the House for consideration.