SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons championed a new law to make it easier for people with disabilities and senior citizens to keep their free and reduced fare public transportation benefits.

“This law will help those living with disabilities and seniors in the 7th District maintain their access to CTA, Metra and Pace services without worrying about navigating confusing agency renewal policies,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “I want to thank my constituents and the RTA for their hard work in negotiating this legislation so we could remove unnecessary extra steps for seniors and people with disabilities who rely on public transit.”

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 law eliminates the need for a customer to recertify their income or disability status.  

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 law 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.

“Many people in the 7th District rely on our public transportation,” Simmons said. “I am proud this law will ensure public transit services are more accessible and humane for folks who really need it.”

Senate Bill 1892 was signed on Friday, June 30 and goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.  

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons championed a new law to improve the quality of life for current affordable housing residents.

“No person should have to be without proper heating and cooling in their home,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Residents deserve an environment that is safe, clean and properly cooled.” 

Senate Bill 2013 is a direct response to the tragic passing of three Rogers Park senior residents who died of suspected heat exhaustion. The law will require any residential building that is state-funded to meet minimum standard of living conditions so they may continue receiving funding from the program.

The measure will require specific air-conditioning and heating provisions to be included in all state-funded affordable housing. Air-conditioning must be operating when the heat index exceeds 80 degrees and must be operable by residents. It also clarifies language in regards to maintenance, upkeep and laundry access.

“Affordable housing residents deserve safe living conditions,” said Simmons. “This means holding our housing programs accountable for equipping their residential buildings with heating and cooling systems, upkeep and maintenance, and adequate property management.”

Senate Bill 2013 was signed into law on Friday, June 30. 

Springfield – The following is a statement by Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago), the first openly gay member of the Illinois State Senate and chair of the Senate Human Rights Committee, on the Supreme Court Decision in 303 Creative v. Elenis.

"The Supreme Court decision greenlights discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community and further puts our rights, our freedom, and our lives at risk. This is not the Supreme Court immigrants like my father envisioned as a beacon of justice for all Americans. This is not the Court that ended segregation or that just a few years ago granted the right to marry to anyone, regardless of sexual orientation.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons, the first and only openly LGBTQ+ person to serve in the Illinois Senate, spoke out against recent attacks against the LGBTQ+ community — both local and national — along with other elected officials, community activists, business leaders and advocacy groups at a press conference today in Rogers Park.

“As the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve in the Illinois Senate, it is important to me that we lift up community voices in response to the wave of hate and vicious attacks we’ve seen targeting LGBTQ+ communities all across the nation,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Today we bring into focus that there have already been more than 500 punitive pieces of legislation introduced in state legislatures targeting our LGBTQ+ communities this year, with nearly 100 signed into law, that bar trans youth from participating in athletics, curtail and outlaw abortion rights, outlaw gender-affirming care and discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 classrooms, and ban books containing LGBTQ+ protagonists in schools. Today our elected leaders and community members take space to stand for LGBTQ+ human rights, call out these horrendous attacks, and give community members a place to share their thoughts about what we need to do next. We are fed up and will not stand for hateful attacks on the LGBTQ+ community any longer. We are fighting back.”

The event was held in Chicago with elected officials, and leaders from local businesses and advocacy groups speaking, including: Sen. Simmons; State Representative Kevin Olickal; Alderpersons Angela Clay (46th Ward), Matt Martin (47th Ward), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th Ward) and Maria Hadden (49th Ward); Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita; Timothy Jackson with the Aids Foundation of Chicago; Stephanie Skora with Brave Space Alliance; Missy Perkins with Paint The City; Paul Ruffino with Rattleback Records; Anthony Galloway with Lorde, Rustin & Bates; comedian, writer, and activist KJ Whitehead; Silas Leslie with the Chicago Therapy Collective; Gregory Gross with Care for Real; Hallie Borden with Milk Hand Made + Honey Bridal; Andrew Miller and Lorraine Hayes with Test Positive Aware Network; and Searah Deysach with Early to Bed/Trans Essentials.

Senator Simmons has been known to aggressively push back against transphobic comments used in floor debate on the state Senate floor. He has also secured passage of and co-led numerous bills protecting LGBTQ+ communities including a bill that protects marriage equality and access to gender-affirming care in Illinois. This press conference was a continuation of his fight for the rights of trans-youth and all members of the LGBTQ+ community, giving elected leaders and community members the space to stand for LGBTQ+ human rights, call out these horrendous attacks, and give community members a place to share their thoughts about what needs to be done next.

“Everyone deserves to live a life true to who they are,” Simmons said. “These new laws and bills across the nation are a despicable and coordinated attack on the basic human rights of LGBTQ+ and queer communities. These new laws deny millions of people the right to live their life authentically. We have seen enough and we will fight tooth and nail to build on the progress and rights LGBTQ+ communities have secured in recent years. We will never go back in the closet. No way.”

For those who missed the event, a live stream of the press conference is available on Senator Simmons‘ Facebook page.