CHICAGO – With support from State Senator Mike Simmons, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity recently announced that over $1.3 million in small business grants would be awarded to 33 restaurants throughout the 7th District.

“Our small businesses are still recovering from the aftermath of the pandemic. They are the backbone of our district and often a hub for cultural identity, and this DCEO Back to Business Grant is crucial to their preservation and survival,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Without the support of this program and others like it, we are in danger of losing our history, traditions, and livelihoods. I am committed to fighting for more funding to secure the future of our small business community.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest hit industries. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses state-wide since the start of the pandemic.

Thirty-three area restaurants in Simmons’ district will receive a combined total of $1,320,000 through this round of Back to Business grants.

“It is not a surprise that more than half of restaurant Back to Business grant recipients in the 7th District are owners and operators who have been historically disenfranchised,” said Simmons. “We must continue to aggressively advocate for every small business in distress, in every sector. I know we can do it, and look forward to the good work ahead.”

For more information about B2B grants visit DCEO’s website.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mike Simmons was one of 27 legislators to earn a 100% rating from the Illinois Environmental Council this week on its annual Legislative Environmental Scorecard. The IEC rated state legislators based on their voting record on legislation affecting the environment during the 2023 legislative session.

“I am proud to receive a 100% scorecard rating by the Illinois Environmental Council for the second year in a row,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “I vote in accordance with my commitment to urgently fighting climate change, preserving safe and healthy air and water, advocating for long-term environmentally sustainable transit, and protecting our precious natural outdoor spaces and habitats.”

The 2023 Legislative Environmental Scorecard includes 28 legislative measures. Specific priorities led by Simmons from this year’s scorecard include House Bill 2776, which updates notice and posting requirements for property owners and occupants of buildings affected by lead service line replacements, and House Bill 3158, which would provide an environmentally friendly alternative burial option.

“I am especially proud of Senator Simmons for his perfect environmental voting record this year because when the pressure was on, especially in the final hours of the legislative session, he stood up for his constituents’ health and our environment,” said IEC Executive Director Jen Walling. “Illinois will be a cleaner, safer place to call home because of the leadership Simmons demonstrated this session, and we look forward to building on that legacy together in the future.”

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CHICAGO – As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, State Senator Mike Simmons has secured over $2 million for infrastructure projects in the 7th District.

“Transportation plays such an important role in our day-to-day lives,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “These investments are not just to improve roads for vehicle use, but will improve safety in our daily transportation for cyclists and pedestrians. Further, we’ve prioritized making strides in accessibility for public transportation and sidewalks.”

One of the most vital projects coming to the area includes investments in land acquisition for pedestrian protection along Ridge Boulevard between Howard Street and Pratt Boulevard. Over the next six years, residents of the 7th District will see several improvements to pedestrian areas here. This project is part of IDOT’s multi-year plan, a $40 billion investment in construction projects for the next six fiscal years.

Simmons is a fierce advocate for pedestrian and bike safety. This legislative season, he presented a package of transportation bills to address bike and pedestrian safety, auto-renewal for CTA disability benefits, and an increase roadway design safety. The new safety measures spearheaded by Simmons were signed into law and will bring expanded safety and accessibility to his district and across the state.

“The projects coming to the 7th District are much-needed improvements to a major pedestrian area,” Simmons said. “The updates will make our streets and sidewalks safer for pedestrians, cyclists and people living with disabilities.”

To see details on the improvements coming to the 7th District, visit IDOT’s website.

CHICAGO – Last year, State Senator Mike Simmons successfully passed a measure into law to create a Student Mental Health Council comprised of youth from across Illinois to empower students and provide them with greater mental health resources. This year, Simmons is proud to announce the first Student Mental Health Council created by his legislation is now accepting applications.

“This law was inspired by teens at my Youth Mental Health People’s Legislative Council initiative, where young people flagged that they often lack the language or sense of safety to talk about what they’re going through, but what they do know is that something is not right,” said Simmons (D – Chicago). “Our young people who are closest to the problems their generation faces daily are the ones who have the best answers for how to address them. I am proud to have led a measure that creates the first statewide council composed of voices that honestly haven’t been a part of policy discussions around access to mental health. Queer youth, black and brown youth, young women and gender-expansive youth are a few of the voices which will make up the youth council and I am thrilled to see it go live this Fall.”

Simmons’ measure – Senate Bill 4028 – was signed into law in the previous General Assembly in 2022 and went into immediate effect providing curricula to elementary and secondary schools for mental health resources in the state. Additionally, the measure established a Student Mental Health Council in collaboration with The Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership to give underrepresented youth communities a voice in their mental health services.

The ICMHP is now accepting applications for their first youth council through Friday, Sept. 22 for young people ages 14-25 who are passionate about improving mental health across the state and advocating for their peers. Interested individuals can apply to serve on the ICMHP youth council here or can be nominated by an adult professional who serves youth or by a caregiver. All selected youth members will receive a stipend.

“I am grateful for the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership for joining me in standing up against mental health stigmas and their support for the first Youth Council. Because of our partnership, we are not only able to elevate the voices of young people both in my district and across Illinois, but we have created a pathway for them to inform and directly shape state policy to improve youth mental well-being while providing them with stipends for their time and sharing their lived experiences.”

For more information, visit the ICMHP Youth Council webpage.