SPRINGFIELD – Prioritizing the economic needs of his constituents, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) chose to vote “present” on the energy package that passed the General Assembly Monday, Senate Bill 2408. He released the following statement:

“Climate change is happening live. We are running out of time and need to make big changes by the next decade. I was chief co-sponsor of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, much of which is included in the bill passed today.

“However, SB 2408 implements a rate hike on lower-income folks and local businesses that are trying to weather an unrelenting pandemic. Low-income people in my district are already paying a disproportionate amount of their income on utilities. Many residents are falling behind on rent and are behind on their electric bills. I also have concerns with giving more money to Exelon right now when the public’s trust has been abused systemically in recent years by Commonwealth Edison. Therefore, I voted present on what otherwise is a solid step forward for our environment.

“I am happy that our state is now on a path to eventually becoming free of climate-damaging fossil fuels. I look forward to continuing to work with senators and environmental, labor, and consumer groups to accelerate the timeline to get us free of fossil fuels much sooner than 2050, because the science is very clear that we are nearly out of time.”

Click here to watch a video of Senator Simmons' full statement.

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) continued his series of legislative people’s councils by inviting single moms from across the 7^th District to his office for a discussion Thursday night.

“I want to reimagine the office of state senator in a way that shares decision making and policy goal-setting with people across the district whose voices have been ignored by decision makers,” Simmons said. “Nearly one out of three households in the 7^th District are headed by single parents. I feel it is critical to create open lines of communication that allow them to articulate their needs and enable me to write legislation that is relevant and that can make a difference in their livelihoods.”

CHICAGO – A new law sponsored by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) requires hospitals and state agencies to gather more data in order to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has harmed LGBTQIA communities, older adults, and people with disabilities in Illinois.

“I see this as the first step to ensuring visibility and justice for historically wronged communities, which is especially important as Illinois recovers from a pandemic that has only aggravated these injustices,” Simmons said. “This is a response to valid concerns about how the COVID-19 pandemic in particular is harming communities that already were very poorly served by the health care system.”

CHICAGO – Many additional organizations that provide rape crisis services will be able to receive state recognition after legislation sponsored by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) was signed Friday. Simmons says the new law will facilitate quick access to critical resources for survivors.

“The current definition of rape crisis center is too narrow and excludes a lot of great organizations,” Simmons said. “Organizations that share locations with other services or that provide rape crisis in tandem with other services can’t get the necessary certification, which severely limits their ability to provide help to the people who need it.”