Press Releases

SPRINGFIELD – To help communities preserve naturally-occurring affordable, accessible housing and protect residents from displacement, State Senator Mike Simmons passed House Bill 957 which will provide tenants with the right-of-first-refusal to purchase a residential building for themselves should the owner put the building up for sale or try to initiate a sale. Specifically, a 90-day notice would be required to tenants from the property owner before accepting or listing a building sale.

“With rising costs of living and the influence of private equity, residents across Illinois are feeling the strain, and this measure gives them tools to keep their homes,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This legislation balances the need to expand and preserve housing with strong protections for property owners through the right of first refusal, fair valuation requirements, and a transparent acquisition process.”

For many families, seniors and working residents, the sale of their building can mean uncertainty about whether they will be able to remain in their homes. House Bill 957 aims to provide a path to preserve housing when multi-unit residential properties are put up for sale by giving tenants, qualified nonprofit organizations and local governments an opportunity to keep those units affordable for current and future residents.

SPRINGFIELD – To help communities preserve affordable, accessible housing and protect residents from displacement, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced legislation that would provide tenants with the right-of-first-refusal to purchase their property, specifically with a 90- day notice to tenants from the property owner before accepting or listing a building sale.

“As housing costs continue to rise and private equity gentrification continues to threaten communities like Edgewater, Rogers Park and all of Illinois, we need practical tools that help keep working families, seniors and long-time residents in the communities they call home,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This legislation balances the need to expand and preserve housing with strong protections for property owners through the right of first refusal, fair valuation requirements and a transparent acquisition process.”

For many families, seniors and working residents, the sale of their building can mean uncertainty about whether they will be able to remain in their homes. Senate Bill 332 aims to provide a path to preserve housing when multi-unit residential properties are put up for sale by giving tenants, qualified nonprofit organizations and local governments an opportunity to keep those units affordable for current and future residents.

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.