Caption: State Senator Mike Simmons attends ribbon cutting ceremony at Ravenswood Metra Station. 

CHICAGO – After a long awaited major reconstruction, State Senator Mike Simmons attends the opening dedication of the new inbound side of Ravenswood Station on the Union Pacific North Line on Tuesday, bringing the reconstruction project to completion.

"I am thrilled to see the new Ravenswood Metra Station officially open today right here in the Lincoln Square/Ravenswood community where I grew up and have many fond memories,” said Simmons (D-Chicago), who serves on the Senate Transportation Committee. “The new facilities — including warming shelters, longer platforms and ramps — are the kind of investments we need in our transportation facilities to increase ridership and restore the health of our regional transit.”

The new platform was the final part of the Ravenswood Metra Station project, a project part of an even larger $167 million plan to replace aging bridges along the UP North Line on the North Side of Chicago. The station was rebuilt in stages in order to keep two tracks open for service during construction. Funded with a combination of federal, state and local capital sources, the station is now fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, has new shelters on both platforms, longer platforms and is designed to improve loading times, which will result in more timely and efficient train service.

“I am happy to see the investments we have been calling for to increase ridership in our transit systems come to fulfillment. From the ADA compliance to the additional platform space, this is a major win for transit equity, ” said Simmons. “Thank you Metra, Alderman Matt Martin and all the stakeholders who worked so hard to get us to this point."

Watch State Senator Mike Simmons' full remarks in the video below.

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CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons commends Illinois’ action to implement the Pretrial Fairness Act, making Illinois the first state to eliminate cash bail.

“Advocating for the rights of those who are incarcerated and their families is a priority of mine. As the first state in the country to completely end the use of money bail, we have taken a historic step toward a more fair and just system,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Far too many people have been blatantly discriminated against due to the inability to cover their bond amount for release. Being poor is not a crime and should never be the sole reason a person remains incarcerated as they await their trial.”

The official end of cash bail — also known as the Pretrial Fairness Act, which is contained within the SAFE-T Act — comes two months after the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that pretrial reform is constitutional in Illinois. The cash bail system has now been replaced with a new system that detains all dangerous defendants, regardless of their wealth.

“Simply put: the SAFE-T Act makes communities safer by allowing courts to hold violent offenders who would ordinarily be able to use cash to pay for release,” said Simmons. “I fully support the overall policy goals of the SAFE-T Act, as well as effective implementation. This is historic legislation that corrects injustices that for too long have plagued our criminal justice systems.”

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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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