- Details
- Category: Newsletters
A Letter from Senator Mike Simmons
Dear Neighbor,
This spring the Illinois General Assembly can take a big step forward in reducing child poverty. Our state can become the fifteenth in the country to enact a permanent child tax credit, a bold and effective way to relieve working parents of the indignity and strain of choosing which bills to pay and which necessities to provide for their families. Doing so makes economic sense and could put nearly a million households on a path to a more dignified set of outcomes.
I grew up in a household in our far northside district where we struggled. I remember my mom up late at the kitchen table trying to pay bills while raising me and my sister, running her own salon in Rogers Park, while going to school for her Associate’s degree. That’s why three years ago when I became your state senator, one of the first bills I introduced called for a permanent and refundable child tax credit that could help struggling families like mine.
- Details
- Category: Newsletters
General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons
Dear Neighbor,
My team and I hit the ground running in January, and I am excited and invigorated for what 2024 has to hold! Before we move forward, I would like to take a moment to reflect on all the work we accomplished in 2023.
Keep reading for a high-level recap of everything my team and I accomplished in 2023, including passing 23 bills into law – 23 in ‘23!! – attending 300+ community events, and corresponding with hundreds of constituents regarding policy recommendations, state programs, meeting requests, and more. 2023 was the biggest year yet for my office in terms of numbers. We look forward to continuing our comprehensive public services in 2024. I have also included a list of laws I supported that took effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Please take a look.
In January, the General Assembly held its first week of the Spring Legislative Session in Springfield. As I return for a busy session schedule, I would like to share my top legislative priorities and what you can expect over the next few months.
- Details
- Category: Newsletters
Dear Neighbors,
The last couple of weeks have gone by fast. I’ve kept up the good fight to outlaw book banning in school curriculum. First, I went on CAN-TV last week and participated in an in-depth panel discussion on book banning with a writer-poet, several American Library Association staff and the Commissioner of the Chicago Public Library. You can watch the segment below.
Additionally, I attended a roundtable with the Illinois Library Association’s North Suburban and Chicago Libraries to discuss overall legislation important to libraries across Illinois. I was honored to join and represent our district, and share remarks about my efforts to outlaw curriculum book bans across Illinois along with my legislative anti-book banning work last spring. I also attended an elementary school this week where I discussed book banning with 5th graders! They gave me some new book titles to add to my queue this holiday break!
Lastly, I won an award from the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois yesterday for my legislative work in defending and protecting human and civil rights – specifically regarding my new law requiring child welfare agencies to use preferred pronouns of youth in their agencies.
I also organized and hosted a first of its kind job fair for returning residents at Truman College last week. It was a high point in my time in the Senate to see this come together so seamlessly thanks to the hard work of my district office staff. Check out the photos and recap of this awesome and inspiring district event below. We will be offering ongoing support for returning residents and those who are looking for jobs.
I’ve been out and about in the district attending two Hanukkah Menorah lightings, a small business town-hall hosted last week by Representative Hoan Huynh, a Midwest Legislators Roundtable on Biofuels, a meeting at my district office with CEO, Tracy Scott, of the Chicago Housing Authority and several constituent meetings. I love representing all of our neighbors in the 7th District and want to say thank you again for your confidence in me and my staff.
Read on for legislative updates, photo recaps from community meetings and events, and awesome resources for constituents toward the end!
Sincerely,
Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District
Simmons Receives ACLU of Illinois Legislator Award
Caption: Senator Mike Simmons and Senator Lakesia Collins receive the ACLU Illinois Legislator Award recognizing their overall commitment to defending human rights and protecting civil liberties alongside ACLU Director of Systems Reform Policy, Nora Collins-Mandeville.
I was proud to receive the ACLU of Illinois Legislator Award alongside Senator Lakesia Collins and several of my colleagues who have championed legislation that defends human rights and protects our civil liberties. I was recognized for my work in securing passage of House Bill 1596, which requires inclusive language in pre-existing state laws requiring child welfare agencies to honor, respect and use the preferred pronouns of children within their care and systems. This is a necessary and long overdue step in protecting the dignity and wellbeing of young people who have already been failed countless times by broken systems for decades. Thank you ACLU for this honor! I look forward to continuing the fight for human rights for all.
- Details
- Category: Newsletters
General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons
Dear Neighbors,
It’s been a glorious whirlwind of a few weeks. I am back in the district after the veto session, and continue to be out in the district meeting constituents where they’re at. Read on for a recap of the fall veto session and highlights from some noteworthy recent community meetings.
It continues to be a huge privilege and honor of a lifetime to serve our district as your state Senator, lifting up our people across the far north side and fighting for their rights and livelihoods. Thank you. Or as we say in Amharic, “Ameseh Ghenalou!”
Sincerely,
Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District
Legislative Updates
Important Updates from Veto Session
Caption: Senator Mike Simmons addresses colleagues on the Senate floor in Springfield.
The General Assembly returned to Springfield this month to take up legislation vetoed by the governor. Below are a few key updates.
Nuclear energy moratorium ends
Currently, Illinois has 11 nuclear power reactors operating at six sites, which collectively produce about half of the state’s electricity. Out of a sense of concern, I voted against House Bill 2473, which was in response to the governor’s veto of legislation to lift the moratorium on nuclear energy in Illinois. We need to prioritize safety and environmental concerns and think more critically about long-term solutions, rather than quick fixes with long-term consequences. House Bill 2473 passed both houses and heads to the governor for further consideration.
Karina’s Bill
Thank you to the countless number of you who have written and called me urging support for Karina’s Bill, desperately needed legislation that is rooted in the safety of survivors and victims of domestic violence. Named after Karina Gonzalez, a survivor of domestic violence who was fatally shot by her husband along with her daughter this past summer in Chicago, “Karina’s Bill” would require judges to issue a seizure order along with orders of protection, while also mandating that law enforcement serve those orders and seize weapons from a domestic abuser within 48 hours. I am a strong supporter of Karina’s Bill, and released a statement urging support of Senate Bill 2633 to protect survivors of domestic violence from guns. I hope to see this survivor-first policy pushed through to the legislative finish line ASAP.
More Articles …
- Simmons Receives Public Service Award, Visits Public Housing Museum, Upcoming Senior Fraud Prevention Event, and more
- Senator Simmons on His Ties to Underground Railroad, Youth Mental Health, and Upcoming Traveling Office Hours
- Senator Simmons Hands Out 250+ Backpacks at Back to School Bash, Attends Gun Control Event with Vice President Kamala Harris, and Invites You to 'Chalk it Up' on Saturday!
- Senator Simmons Champions New Laws, Student Mental Health Council Accepting Applications, and New Small Business Grant Opportunities
Page 2 of 18