CHICAGO – With the intention to understand the concerns and needs of community members, and to proactively connect his constituents to state resources, State Senator Mike Simmons visited the Budlong Woods neighborhood this past Saturday knocking on doors and introducing residents to state resources and meeting those residents face-to-face. 

“Meeting residents in-person, where they’re at, encourages them to voice their concerns and needs in an informal way,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Engaging with the community in their neighborhoods helps to ensure they feel seen, heard, respected, and helped.”

During the day, Simmons addressed topics such as property taxes, commercial and residential development, recent gun violence, and small businesses. Simmons grew up in the Budlong Woods neighborhood and was able to connect with long-time residents as well as introduce himself to the new families along Farragut Avenue. He also handed out flyers with state-level resources including services his district office offers. 

“It was cathartic to meet with families one-on-one this past weekend in Budlong Woods, which is located in Lincoln Square, the area where I grew up and where my family racially integrated the neighborhood in the early 1980s,” Simmons said. “As my team and I talked to our neighbors, many being long-time residents, I felt a sense of pride and responsibility in helping to lift up the needs of households in the area." 

If residents have questions about the next opportunity to meet him in the neighborhood, or would like information about local resources, Simmons urges them to contact his office at 773-769-1717.

CHICAGO – In an effort to proactively connect with 7^th District individuals affected by gun violence and shape future legislation, State Senator Mike Simmons held a People’s Legislative Council on gun violence on Wednesday. 

“The purpose of People’s Legislative Councils is to connect with and listen to constituents who have a direct stake in policy decisions, and bring their voice into the legislative process,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “We convened 7^th District residents who are survivors of gun violence or have lost loved ones to gun violence, and we will lift up their experiences as we advocate for sensible gun laws

Simmons has and will continue to be aggressive on pursuing gun control legislation, and strongly supports a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines at the state and federal level. He is a cosponsor of Senate Bill 2510, which would ban assault weapons in Illinois, and was chief cosponsor of House Bill 4383, a bill signed into law in April that requires all guns to be serialized. Simmons is also passionate about the need for federal legislation to crack down on illegal gun trafficking into Illinois.

Past People’s Legislative Councils have been held with several different constituent groups including: single mothers, long-term residents, senior citizens, and high school students. Upcoming People’s Legislative Councils will address rights and resources for people living with disabilities, incarcerated individuals, people who are inadequately served by the health care system, and individuals experiencing homelessness. These legislative councils have directly led to the creation of bills, including one recently signed into law which requires K-12 schools to instruct on how and where to find access to mental health. This legislation, Senate Bill 4028, also creates the Student Mental Health Council, a diverse council of young adults tasked with identifying barriers to youth feeling supported and empowered by the existing mental health system.  

“Action is needed at all levels of government to contain the gun violence epidemic and I am a strong supporter of passing sensible gun laws,” Simmons said.  “I plan to build on my track record of fighting for and advancing sensible gun legislation while centering the advocacy of my constituents here in the 7^th district.” 

If residents have questions about the event or would like information about the next People’s Legislative Council meeting, Simmons urges them to contact his office at 773-769-1717.

CHICAGO – Thanks to the advocacy of Senator Mike Simmons and the Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) program, the Rogers Park Business Alliance will see $99,000 in grant funding to finance economic recovery efforts sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The RISE program reimburses the costs local governments and economic development organizations incur while expanding local economic recovery efforts. These costs include salaries, research, outreach, and expenses related to administering recovery efforts.

“The efforts of Rogers Park Business Alliance to soften the economic impacts of the pandemic are a key part of the overall work being led by the community and small business owners to ensure existing businesses succeed, and new businesses are positioned for success,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “As the son of a long-time Rogers Park salon owner, I know firsthand how beautifully diverse Rogers Park businesses are and what they do for the block and larger community. I know this economic recovery grant will help ensure those businesses can thrive and hold on during this tough economic climate and do so in a way that preserves the character of these commercial corridors without gentrification and displacement.”

RISE empowers local governments to create meaningful plans with a focus on specific initiatives and investments that support recovery from the pandemic. The grants funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will help improve the quality of life for community members by taking a comprehensive approach to economic development through supporting the local workforce, improving affordable housing options and more.

“We are grateful for the grant in the amount of $99K which will allow RPBA and the City of Evanston to work together to facilitate a highly inclusive planning process,” said Sandi Price, Executive Director of Rogers Park Business Alliance. “The outcome of the plan will showcase an equitable shared vision that will chart a future course and assure the long-term resiliency of the Howard Street commercial corridor and communities on both sides of Howard Street.”

“Rogers Park is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Chicago, and Howard Street exemplifies that from Lake Michigan to Western Avenue in its storefronts,” said Simmons. “It will take intentionality in economic planning to ensure economic recovery efforts are done for existing businesses on the Howard Street corridor, many of whom are Black, African, Latinx, and Caribbean-owned.”

For more information about the RISE program or its allocation to Rogers Park Business Alliance, please visit the DCEO website.

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CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons will be joined by local elected officials for a shred event in the 40^th Ward this Saturday, Aug. 27.

“Securely discarding vulnerable documents is a strong effort to protect yourself and your family from identity fraud,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “I urge the community to take advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted papers containing personal information.”

The shred event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Community Justice Center North Chicago, located at 5333 N. Western Ave. in Chicago.

“Shredding companies often recycle shredded material and transform it into new merchandise such as paper towels and paper plates,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This not only helps the environment by reducing the need to cut down trees, but also reduces the amount of garbage in landfills and the amount of toxic chemicals in the atmosphere. Overall, shred events are beneficial for environments inside and outside of the house.”

Participants are limited to a maximum of two boxes. Simmons will also be joined by a number of other elected state and local officials to provide vital information about resources available to residents.

If residents have questions about the event, Simmons urges them to contact his office at (773) 769-1717.

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