Welcome to Senator Mike Simmons Legislative Website

Senator Simmons Statement on FY 27 Budget: Making Ends Meet But Key Reforms Still Needed

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget:

“While the Trump Administration makes life impossible for those who don’t know where their next meal is coming from, I’m proud that our budget ensures people can continue to access food when their federal SNAP is jeopardized due to new work requirements. No one in a country as rich as ours should be worried about how they will eat.

“For too many 7th District residents and folks across the entire state of Illinois, the dream of owning a home, building generational wealth, and establishing long-term stability has felt out of reach. I am proud to support investments that expand access to housing and help more families put down roots in their communities.

“This budget includes funding to support down payment assistance programs, making it easier for working families to become homeowners and helping address the housing shortages that continue to affect communities across our state.

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Simmons Passes Right of First Refusal for Tenants through the Senate

SPRINGFIELD – To help communities preserve naturally-occurring affordable, accessible housing and protect residents from displacement, State Senator Mike Simmons passed House Bill 957 which will provide tenants with the right-of-first-refusal to purchase a residential building for themselves should the owner put the building up for sale or try to initiate a sale. Specifically, a 90-day notice would be required to tenants from the property owner before accepting or listing a building sale.

“With rising costs of living and the influence of private equity, residents across Illinois are feeling the strain, and this measure gives them tools to keep their homes,” 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. House Bill 957 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.

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Simmons Advances Legislation to Provide Tenants with Right of First Refusal

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.

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Simmons joins advocates to support unionization of rideshare drivers

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.

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