Welcome to Senator Mike Simmons Legislative Website

Simmons’ district office hosts senior fraud prevention event

CHICAGO – To inform and educate local residents on fraud awareness and prevention, State Senator Mike Simmons hosted an Advocacy and Fraud Protection for Seniors Workshop at All Saints Episcopal Church in Ravenswood on Friday, November 3, in partnership with Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s Office.

“This event is in direct response to an influx of senior fraud and identity theft cases over the last few months in my district,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “I care deeply about the safety and well-being of our seniors, and I want to make sure we provide them with useful resources and advocacy for fraud prevention.”

Read more …

Simmons Receives Public Service Award, Visits Public Housing Museum, Upcoming Senior Fraud Prevention Event, and more

Hello Neighbors!

We are in the midst of the fall veto legislative session. I am working to secure final passage of my Senate Bill 689 that prohibits schools from banning books in classrooms and school curricula. It also outlaws book banning in privately funded libraries or those not receiving state grants.

As a recap, my bill cleared the Senate in the spring and awaits approval in the House. The Yorkville Board of Education banned “Just Mercy” in August, and we are seeing more people running for school boards in the suburbs on an explicit agenda to ban books by and about LGBTQ+ and Black communities.

My bill includes specific protections for these categories and other commonly targeted areas including race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, religion and faith background, reproductive health, sexual health, memoirs and autobiographies. This issue affects many people in our community, and these protections are central to our democracy.

Caption: Members of the Illinois Senate, including Senator Mike Simmons, wear pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Last week, the Senate passed a bill requiring school districts and other state-run facilities to contract with vendors to provide kosher and halal food options. I strongly supported the original bill in the spring and am glad to see Senate Bill 457 move forward with support from stakeholders and the governor.

Concerning energy policy, I voted “no” last spring on House Bill 3445 , which would grant downstate electric utilities the “right of first refusal” for transmission line construction, allowing a near monopoly on projects. I was glad the governor vetoed it, and the House did not move to override the veto this fall session.

Read on for key updates, including an upcoming senior event, a visit to the National Public Housing Museum, public service awards, and recent district highlights.

Sincerely,

Senator Mike Simmons
7th Senate District

---

Upcoming District Event

Advocacy and Fraud Protection for Seniors Workshop

CALLING ALL SENIORS! Join me and the Attorney General’s Office this Friday, Nov. 3 from 10–11 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, located at 4550 N. Hermitage Ave. (near Wilson and Ashland), for an Advocacy and Fraud Protection for Seniors Workshop.

This event will provide tools and resources for fraud prevention and protection for seniors in our community. For questions, contact our district office or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

---

To read the full newsletter .

Simmons celebrates opening of new Ravenswood Metra Station

Caption: State Senator Mike Simmons attends ribbon cutting ceremony at Ravenswood Metra Station. 

CHICAGO – After a long awaited major reconstruction, State Senator Mike Simmons attends the opening dedication of the new inbound side of Ravenswood Station on the Union Pacific North Line on Tuesday, bringing the reconstruction project to completion.

"I am thrilled to see the new Ravenswood Metra Station officially open today right here in the Lincoln Square/Ravenswood community where I grew up and have many fond memories,” said Simmons (D-Chicago), who serves on the Senate Transportation Committee. “The new facilities — including warming shelters, longer platforms and ramps — are the kind of investments we need in our transportation facilities to increase ridership and restore the health of our regional transit.”

The new platform was the final part of the Ravenswood Metra Station project, a project part of an even larger $167 million plan to replace aging bridges along the UP North Line on the North Side of Chicago. The station was rebuilt in stages in order to keep two tracks open for service during construction. Funded with a combination of federal, state and local capital sources, the station is now fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, has new shelters on both platforms, longer platforms and is designed to improve loading times, which will result in more timely and efficient train service.

“I am happy to see the investments we have been calling for to increase ridership in our transit systems come to fulfillment. From the ADA compliance to the additional platform space, this is a major win for transit equity, ” said Simmons. “Thank you Metra, Alderman Matt Martin and all the stakeholders who worked so hard to get us to this point."

 

Watch State Senator Mike Simmons' full remarks in the video below.

 

###

Senator Simmons on His Ties to Underground Railroad, Youth Mental Health, and Upcoming Traveling Office Hours

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

I wanted to fire off a special edition newsletter with some new and interesting content. First, I had the chance to do an in-depth interview about my 7th District youth-inspired legislation that will soon create the first statewide youth mental health policy council. See the link to the full interview below.

I also participated in a Chicago Tribune series profiling Illinois’s role in the Underground Railroad. It is compelling that so many brave individuals fled slavery and found freedom through Illinois. A branch of my own family on my mother’s side was living in Michigan as early as 1846 and likely participated in this history. See below for the full story.

Lastly, you’ll see a graphic below for our next traveling office hours event at Senn High School on Oct. 3. This time we will be curating the town hall for 7th District youth. Enjoy the newsletter and have a safe weekend!

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons

State Senator | 7th District

---

Senator Simmons Discusses Youth Mental Health on Outside the Loop Radio

Caption: Senator Simmons interviewed by Outside the Loop Radio discussing youth mental health.

I recently spoke with Outside the Loop Radio to discuss youth mental health in Illinois and Senate Bill 4028 .

The legislation requires schools to teach students how and where to access mental health resources and establishes a statewide Student Mental Health Council including youth ages 14–25 from diverse backgrounds.

Listen to the full interview (segment begins at 16:05)

---

Underground Railroad in Illinois
Chicago Tribune feature by Darcel Rockett

Caption: Underground Railroad historic sites across Illinois (Chicago Tribune / Terrence Antonio James).

Excerpt from the Chicago Tribune feature highlighting Senator Mike Simmons’ reflections on Illinois’ Underground Railroad history.

Recognition of Illinois’ role in the Underground Railroad is long overdue. It is a deep honor to contribute to this work highlighting the untold stories of Black communities and freedom seekers.

Read the full article: Chicago Tribune Underground Railroad feature

---

Calling All Youth: Traveling Office Hours at Senn High School

Join me on Tuesday, October 3 from 4–5 PM at Senn High School for Traveling Office Hours focused on youth voices across the 7th District.

We want to hear from students of all ages about their concerns and ideas for the future of Illinois.

---

Thank you for reading. If you would like to reach our office, please call 773-769-1717 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..