Jett Hawkins Act Passes the House Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee on School Curriculum and Policies Committee
- Details
- Category: Press Releases
SPRINGFIELD – The House Education Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee on School Curriculum and Policies amended and passed Senate Bill 817, now known as the Jett Hawkins Act. This bill, sponsored by Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) and carried in the House by Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago), ensures public, private, and charter schools cannot prohibit hairstyles historically associated with race, ethnicity, or hair texture.
This bill was inspired by the events of March 3, when 4-year-old Jett Hawkins was sent home from school for having braids that violated Providence-St. Mel School’s dress code.
“This bill is about really putting into practice the things we say we believe and the values we espouse,” said Majority Leader Greg Harris. “If you wish to receive benefits from the state, you should agree not to discriminate unfairly against African-American youth because of their hairstyle.”
Jett’s mother, Ida Nelson, testified before the committee.
“These policies skew their perceptions of self and create a feeling that something about them needs to be fixed,” Nelson said. “It is up to all of us adults to protect children, regardless of their phenotype, from any threat to their mental or emotional wellbeing.”
Lauren Leggett, a student at Providence St. Mel, also testified before the committee to share her experience and the dress code policy’s impact on students’ mental health. She said discriminatory policies like these make students feel like a detriment to society.
“That is the biggest distraction to our education,” Lauren said. “By supporting this bill, you are eliminating a lot of barriers Black children have to face before they even enter into the workforce and supporting them on that journey.”
The Jett Hawkins Act passed the committee with a 15-3 vote and will be considered on the floor of the House of Representatives. Senator Mike Simmons sponsored SB 817 in the Senate, where it passed 40-13.
Simmons announces $2.5 million road improvements plan for the 7th District
- Details
- Category: Press Releases
CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) announced Friday that $2.5 million in construction projects in the 7th Illinois Senate District will improve roads and make accessibility improvements as part of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s multi-year construction plan.
“These projects represent some much-needed improvements to major arterial streets in the 7th District,” Simmons said. “These improvements will upgrade our roads, make sure the streets and sidewalks are accessible for pedestrians and people living with disabilities, and generate good jobs at the same time.”
The projects will improve 1.8 miles of U.S. 14 between U.S. 41 and Ridge Avenue, and a mile of U.S. 41 from Ashland to Lake Shore Drive. The funding is part of the $20 billion Rebuild Illinois construction plan’s 2022 slate of construction.
A further $2 million has been slated for later years, intended for pedestrian improvements to Ridge Boulevard from Howard Street to south of Pratt Boulevard.
For more details about the projects in the 7th District, click here.
Senator Mike Simmons Marks 100 Days in Office Fighting for the 7th District, Has Plans for the Next 100
- Details
- Category: Newsletters
In his first 100 days, Senator Simmons has sponsored or cosponsored more than 100 pieces of legislation, resolved over 100 constituent casework requests, and answered more than 500 letters, phone calls, and email messages from 7th district constituents.
It has been the privilege of a lifetime and a joy to serve the communities that raised me -- Lincoln Square, Uptown, Edgewater, Rogers Park, West Ridge, Ravenswood, Andersonville, and Evanston. I am proud to represent one of the most diverse Senate districts in the state. In this letter, I want to share with you updates from the capital, our district’s impact in Springfield, and what you can expect from me in the 100 days to come. Here is a quick video covering 100 days of representing the 7th District of Illinois!
From day 1, I promised that I would change the expectations for representative government in our district. As the first Black and openly LGBTQIA+ Senator for the 7th district, I am committed to working tirelessly to amplify the voices and urgent needs of the residents of our district: Our immigrants, those struggling with access to housing, seniors, people in-between jobs, single mothers, returning citizens, LGBTQIA+ people, young people, and others hit hardest by the pandemic. Let me catch you up on my first 100 days:
Simmons’ plan to ban discrimination against hairstyles in schools passes Illinois Senate
- Details
- Category: Press Releases
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons’ (D-Chicago) legislation to end the practice of discriminating against students’ hairstyles in schools passed the Illinois Senate Wednesday afternoon.
“We took a major step forward today in passing this bill out of the Senate and sent a message to our young people that we see them and respect them for who they are. Black youth in particular have endured decades of systemic discrimination targeting their hairstyles in schools, and it’s time to turn the page on that history. I thank my colleagues for supporting the bill,” Simmons said.
Senate Bill 817 applies to all public, private and charter schools in the State. The bill prohibits schools from issuing policies or including any language in handbooks about hairstyles traditionally associated with race and ethnicity including braids, dreadlocks, and protective hairstyles. This makes our schools safe spaces for black youth to show up and learn authentically and be who they are.
Simmons, who wears his hair in natural free form locs, said he’s been on the receiving end of school rules policing his personal appearance.
“I understand what this feels like personally,” Simmons said. “I urge the House to approve this legislation and join the Senate in ensuring that the next generation doesn’t have to go through this.
More Articles …
Page 53 of 57