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.

SPRINGFIELD – To make it easier for people with disabilities and senior citizens to keep their free and reduced fare public transportation benefits, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced a measure out of the Senate on Thursday.

Senate Bill 1892 provides that Regional Transportation Authority benefits for people with disabilities and senior citizens will, after an initial eligibility determination is made for a Ride Free card, automatically renew every five years after receiving a copy of the individual's government ID to verify their Illinois residency. The bill eliminates the need for a customer to recertify their income or disability status. 

“Working with my own constituents living with disabilities, we were able to come up with this legislation which will remove unnecessary steps for the disabled who rely on public transit,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “People in the 7^th District, especially those living with disabilities and our seniors, rely on our public transportation. This bill will help them maintain their access to CTA, Metra and Pace services so they no longer need to worry about navigating confusing agency renewal policies.”

Currently RTA’s Ride Free and Reduced Fare cards for CTA, Metra and Pace buses and trains are valid for up to two years. However, this bill will automatically renew cards for those who may not be able to travel to a physical location to renew or who do not have the means or access to the internet to renew online.

“I want to thank my constituents and the RTA for their hard work on this important legislation,” Simmons said. “This bill will ensure public transit services are more accessible and can be provided without restriction and unnecessary back and forth.”

Senate Bill 1892 passed the Senate on Thursday and now heads to the House for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To expand coverage for preventative screenings for liver disease, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced legislation out of the Senate on Thursday. 

“Liver disease is a silent killer. Often there are no symptoms for years until the disease is very advanced, so early detection can be vital in ensuring people with liver damage get referral to specialty care and treatments that can improve long-term health outcomes and save lives,” said Simmons (D- Chicago). 

Senate Bill 1282 requires Medicaid, private insurance plans and government employee insurance plans to cover preventative screenings for liver disease for individuals who are at high risk for liver disease, ages 35-65 years old. Those screenings can include high quality preventative screenings such as liver ultrasounds, liver function tests, and other screenings that can help with early detection and management of liver disease.

According to the CDC, in 2021, 56,585 adults in the U.S. died from liver disease, making it the ninth leading cause of death.

“Our goal is to improve health outcomes for people who are both underinsured and at-risk for liver disease, especially those who struggle with substance abuse and addiction,” said Simmons. “Those who are both underinsured and at-risk for liver disease need to know what is going on with their bodies. The cost of any screening should never be a reason to forgo care. Liver disease is a leading cause of death; this bill will prevent avoidable and premature deaths by providing equitable preventive health care.”

Senate Bill 1282 passed the Senate on Thursday and now heads to the House.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase the availability and accessibility of mental health resources for students, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced an initiative out of the Senate on Wednesday.

“Mental health has become a leading concern for parents and children today, yet there are still gaps in mental health care,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This legislation will help to support youth, their families, and schools by providing support, access and resources so students can find mental health care while they are at school.”

Senate Bill 1709 would require the Illinois Department of Human Services and the State Board of Education to provide technical assistance for mental health care during school days to help increase the access students have to mental health services.

This initiative will complement the recently launched Illinois Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative, specifically recommendation 5 in the report, by identifying and filling in gaps that exist in school-based mental health care. 

“Our students’ mental and physical well-being must be our top priority,” Simmons said. “We will need to triple our commitment in the next five years to shore up unmet mental health needs our youth have, and this legislation helps us move in that direction.”

Senate Bill 1709 passed the Senate on Wednesday and now heads to the House floor.