Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons

Simmons Advances Legislation to Provide Tenants with Right of First Refusal

Details: Category: Press Releases; Tuesday, May 26, 2026 08:43 PM

State Senator Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – To help communities preserve affordable, accessible housing and protect residents from displacement, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced legislation that would provide tenants with the right-of-first-refusal to purchase their property, specifically with a 90- day notice to tenants from the property owner before accepting or listing a building sale.

“As housing costs continue to rise and private equity gentrification continues to threaten communities like Edgewater, Rogers Park and all of Illinois, we need practical tools that help keep working families, seniors and long-time residents in the communities they call home,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This legislation balances the need to expand and preserve housing with strong protections for property owners through the right of first refusal, fair valuation requirements and a transparent acquisition process.”

For many families, seniors and working residents, the sale of their building can mean uncertainty about whether they will be able to remain in their homes. Senate Bill 332 aims to provide a path to preserve housing when multi-unit residential properties are put up for sale by giving tenants, qualified nonprofit organizations and local governments an opportunity to keep those units affordable for current and future residents.

Simmons joins advocates to support unionization of rideshare drivers

Details: Category: Press Releases; Thursday, May 21, 2026 11:51 AM

State Senator Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – To support rideshare drivers across the state, State Senator Mike Simmons joined State Senator Ram Villivalam and fellow legislators alongside hundreds of advocates on Wednesday at the Capitol to support rideshare driver unionization in Illinois.

“Folks across our state ensure people get to where they need to go everyday, and as such a vital part of our lives, they deserve the ability to negotiate for their own work environment,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This legislation will give the opportunity for drivers to fight for a better working environment and ensures that Illinois has their back.”

With a rising number of adults who work as taxi drivers or chauffeurs for their primary job over the last decade thanks to rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, rideshare drivers have spoken out about their lack of rights, protections and transparency on pay.

Simmons Joins AIDS Foundation Chicago to Advocate for HIV Funding

Details: Category: Uncategorised; Wednesday, May 20, 2026 01:31 PM

State Senator Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons was joined by State Representative Norma Hernandez, Alderman Lamont Robinson and advocates from AIDS Foundation Chicago, BLACHE, TaskForce Prevention and Community Services, School of Opulence, and the Springfield Urban League at a press conference Tuesday to advocate for over $6 million for HIV funding infrastructure in Illinois through Senate Bill 2814, which would restore funding for Illinois’ PrEP Medication Assistance Program and allocate funding for STI screening.

“For the fourth year in a row, I am proud to carry legislation that provides full funding for HIV prevention and treatment, and helps us get to zero new HIV/AIDS diagnoses by 2030.” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Through the work of providers, advocates, policymakers and people living with and vulnerable to HIV, Illinois has made real progress toward ending the HIV epidemic in our state. We must continue to make sure Illinoisans living with HIV do not lose access to the care they need.”

Through the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program, known as Illinois ADAP, residents living with HIV/AIDS have access to life-saving medications which in turn prevent further HIV transmissions via viral suppression. Now, amid a storm of proposed federal budget cuts, the impact of slashing Medicaid and the expiration of enhanced ACA premium tax credits have increased risks for residents who depend on Illinois ADAP and could leave them without access to medications that keep them healthy.

Simmons Fights for Small Businesses Impacted by Operation Midway Blitz

Details: Category: Press Releases; Thursday, May 07, 2026 01:55 PM

State Senator Mike Simmons in committee

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons is leading a measure that would establish the “Operation Midway Blitz” Small Business Restoration Grant Program that would provide support to Illinois small businesses who have been economically impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Operation Midway Blitz has created a ghost town effect in Illinois’ small business corridors. The resulting 515% surge in enforcement actions has triggered a localized economic shutdown, with small business revenues plummeting. I have witnessed first-hand the impact on corridors in the 7th District,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “To safeguard the economic foundations of communities throughout the State of Illinois, we must establish a stabilizing institution.”

Simmons’ legislation, Senate Bill 2810, would establish a Small Business Restoration Grant Program to assist independently-owned brick-and-mortar small businesses impacted by ICE during Operation Midway Blitz. The legislation would create a $50 million grant program for businesses with 25 or fewer full-time employees that have been impacted.

Welcome

Thank you for visiting my legislative website. It is my honor and pleasure to represent Illinois’ 7th Senate District.

Here you can find information about the 7th District, access local and state resources, and keep up to date with what’s happening at the Capitol. I hope you’ll find this website useful.

Please feel free to contact me at either of my offices with questions, concerns or ways I can better serve you.

For scheduling requests, please use the form linked HERE.

To reach our office via text message, send a text to 773-945-9979.

To contact us about issues that matter most to you: CONTACT US

Sincerely,

Senator Mike Simmons Signature