Following the sudden passing of State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign), Senator Simmons released the following statement:

"I am stunned and deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague, Senator Scott Bennett. In the short time that I served with him, I appreciated the humanity, class, and collegiality he brought to the Senate and to our state at a time when it is needed. 

 

I’ll never forget shortly after I had my first bill heard in committee, Senator Bennett surprised me by taking a newspaper clip of me presenting the bill in committee from his hometown newspaper and had it laminated for me to have as a keepsake. I have it displayed on the wall in my district office and will never forget his generosity and thoughtfulness the day he walked over to my desk and unceremoniously presented it to me as a freshman just a couple months into my tenure in the Senate. 

Recently, I had sat down with Senator Bennett at a caucus dinner and we chatted about many things including how to balance demands on elected officials so we can spend time with our families and I appreciated his advice from his experience. 

 

And just last week, during the veto session, I sat with him at his desk in the Senate chamber and thanked him for the hard work he put into the SAFE-T Act negotiations. I knew he genuinely cared about our state, and I will truly miss serving with him. 

 

My heart goes out to his family, his community, and to all those whose lives he touched. I will always remember Senator Bennett, his sense of humor, and his thoughtfulness. I will do my best to keep his memory alive in the Senate."

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to protect the transgender and nonbinary community from criminal prosecution for seeking out gender-affirming health care, State Senator Mike Simmons initiated a new measure protecting families who seek out gender-affirming health care from criminal and civil prosecution.

“We are witnessing almost weekly attacks around the country on the rights and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ communities including roughly 300 repressive, anti-LGBTQ+ pieces of legislation introduced by state legislatures, and more pointed attacks including the Colorado Springs nightclub shooting last week at Club Q,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “It’s time to push back and introduce sweeping protections for LGBTQ+ communities, and especially trans youth who have been subject to mean-spirited and relentless attacks on their rights.”

Senate Bill 4245, also known as the Gender-Affirming Health Care Protection Act, would prohibit the State of Illinois, Illinois law enforcement, and the governor from pursuing criminal or civil prosecution in regard to the laws of another state that forbids gender-affirming care for children.

Additionally the measure would prohibit the release of medical information based on the laws of another state.

“Access to health care is a basic human right, and access to gender-affirming care ought to be a protected right for communities that need it,” Simmons said.

The measure is similar to a California law which protects health care providers from being forced to release the medical records of a person suspected of receiving gender-affirming health care. California’s law also prevents the enforcement of other states laws against gender-affirming health care.

The measure awaits a committee hearing.

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I recently sat down with the Sound of the State to discuss the importance of #TransgenderAwarenessWeek. As the first openly gay person in the Illinois Senate, it is important that I uplift the Transgender community and recognize their long legacy of advocating for the rights and liberties of the entire LGBTQ+community. We must work together to protect our Transgender friends and family members and honor those we have lost. I hope you enjoy this short podcast recording! Click here to listen: http://bit.ly/3hDihVi

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.