Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons

Simmons honoring Officer Bartholomew after Endeavor Swedish Hospital shooting

Details: Category: Press Releases; Wednesday, April 29, 2026 09:25 AM

State Senator Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) released the following statement regarding the fatal shooting of Officer John Bartholomew that occurred at Endeavor Swedish Hospital on Saturday, April 25:

“My family and I have been patients at Endeavor Swedish Hospital for decades, and on Saturday, I found my beloved childhood neighborhood barricaded and on lockdown due to an active shooter.

“I commend law enforcement and our local leaders for their swift action that led to the apprehension of the alleged shooter. I want to honor the life of Officer John Bartholomew. Officer Bartholomew was just 38 years old and had served with the Chicago Police Department for over a decade before his life was tragically taken.

Simmons presents plan to give tenants first right to purchase rental properties

Details: Category: Press Releases; Friday, April 24, 2026 08:47 AM

041626CM0911r

SPRINGFIELD – To empower renters and provide them with additional opportunities to own their housing, State Senator Mike Simmons presented legislation to the Senate Executive Committee on Thursday that would give tenants the first right to purchase when a property is put up for sale.

“We want to empower residents with the opportunity to buy their home outright when the sale of a building occurs,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This process would help facilitate resident ownership by preventing outside investors like private equity firms from absorbing properties before tenants have the chance.”

During Thursday’s subject matter hearing, Simmons presented Senate Bill 3762. Under the measure, property owners would be required to notify their tenants and the Illinois Housing Development Authority when they intend to sell the property, giving tenants the right of first refusal if the owner receives an offer to purchase the property. This would give residents the right to purchase their building in advance of all other parties.

Simmons Passes Expansion to Jett Hawkins Act Protecting Religious Hairstyles Through the Senate

Details: Category: Press Releases; Thursday, April 16, 2026 03:18 PM

State Senator Mike Simmons - SB 3361

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons passed legislation through the Senate on Wednesday that would expand the 2022 Jett Hawkins Act to include protections for religious hairstyles in private schools throughout the state.

“I fought hard to pass the Jett Hawkins Act,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Now, Illinois is expanding protections to include hairstyles and facial hair in public schools specific to Jewish faith and tradition, specifically the Orthodox tradition, as a condition of registration or recognition with ISBE or the State.”

Simmons’ legislation, Senate Bill 3361, would require private, non-religious schools to affirm they will not prohibit religious hairstyles or hair-related religious practices, including facial hair worn pursuant to a student’s or employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs, in order to register with the Illinois State Board of Education.

Simmons, Syed outline plan to ban junk fees for Illinois renters

Details: Category: Press Releases; Thursday, April 16, 2026 12:58 PM

State Senator Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – In light of the rising cost of living nationwide, State Senator Mike Simmons joined State Representative Nabeela Syed at a press conference Thursday to highlight legislation that would help ensure the renting process is transparent and fair.

“Renters across my district need transparency when they are searching for housing,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “By removing junk fees and requiring leases to list all applicable fees on the front page, we are giving tenants the information they need to rent fairly.”

Under Simmons’ bill, landlords wouldn’t be able to charge tenants for 11 types of fees, including modifying or renewing a lease, for the receipt of an eviction notice unless it is granted, for routine maintenance and upkeep, for pest abatement and removal, or for contacting the building owner or property manager.

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,

Sen. Mike Simmons