Welcome to Senator Mike Simmons Legislative Website

Simmons Passes Record Number of Bills, New District Office, Illinois' Budget, Pride Month, and Upcoming Events

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

It is great to be back in the 7th District after a very busy legislative session in Springfield. I am thrilled to share that I passed 23 bills impacting housing, transportation, health care, LGBTQ+ rights, human rights, and more.

I also serve as Chair of the Human Rights Committee, Vice-Chair of the Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, and member of the Education, Transportation, and Appropriations - Health and Human Services Committees.

For a detailed recap, visit the Illinois General Assembly (ILGA) website or view the Spring 2023 legislative update presentation.

Last night I hosted our first Traveling Office Hours event at Spiteful Brewing Tap in Bowmanville. It was great connecting with neighbors.

My district office has moved to 1040 W. Bryn Mawr Ave (corner of Bryn Mawr and Kenmore). Contact us at 773-769-1717 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Caption: Senator Mike Simmons and district staff moving into the new office location.

We are also hosting a virtual People’s Legislative Council focused on disability issues on June 22 at 4 PM.

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons

State Senator | 7th District

Read more …

Simmons’ leads measure to strengthen same-sex marriage laws

SPRINGFIELD – With attacks on same-sex couples and marriages on the rise across the nation, State Senator Mike Simmons successfully sponsored a law signed Friday to strengthen marriage equality for same-sex couples in Illinois.

“As the first openly gay senator in Illinois, protecting and strengthening same-sex marriage laws in this state is significant to who I am and what I fight for,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “I am proud to support legislation that protects same-sex marriages in Illinois and creates avenues for same-sex couples in other states coming to Illinois seeking those same protections.”

House Bill 1591 protects same sex marriages in Illinois by repealing the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution Act. This bill provides that same-sex couples can receive a marriage license in Illinois without requiring a signature from an official from their previous state. This will make it easier for same-sex couples who resided in other states to marry in Illinois.

“With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, many are suspecting of the Supreme Court’s intentions regarding Obergefell v. Hodges, which protects marriage equality,” said Simmons. “This bill makes marriage equality stronger for Illinoisans and provides security to same-sex couples.”

House Bill 1591 was signed into law on Friday, June 9 and takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

Simmons’ measure signed into law to protect gender expansive youth

 CHICAGO – In response to attacks on transgender individuals around the nation, State Senator Mike Simmons championed a law to increase inclusivity of gendered language in pre-existing state laws and initiatives.

“This law will ensure the language we use in state statutes and codes is more inclusive. Everyone deserves to be addressed and represented with the pronouns they use and prefer, especially by their state’s agencies and laws,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Encouraging inclusive language at the state level is an important step for people to feel safe and accepted by their government while attacks are raging against the LGBTQ+ community in other states.”

House Bill 1596 changes various public acts concerning children to contain more inclusive language, such as changing certain pronouns to general nouns or the nouns to which the pronouns refer, and replacing "biological" family or parent with "birth" family or parent.

“It is someone’s basic human right to be referred to by their preferred pronouns in everyday life,” Simmons said. “I am happy to see this bill being signed into law during the month of Pride, a time where we reaffirm our commitment to making sure everyone is seen, heard and respected.”

House Bill 1596 was signed into law on Friday, June 9 and goes into effect on Aug. 8, 2023.

New Simmons law will increase development of cooperative housing

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois residents will have more options when it comes to affordable housing through cooperative housing developments, thanks to State Senator Mike Simmons’ legislation that was signed into law.

“This law will create a Cooperative Housing Fund, which is an important step to ensuring everyone has access to affordable housing,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Housing is a human right, and living in good, decent, and stable housing is an option everyone should have.

This law will promote cooperative housing, a form of housing where entities own the residential building, but its residents are shareholders of the entity. Cooperative housing provides a viable alternative to homeownership for low- to middle-income earners who may not be able to buy a home, while adding a key affordable housing option to those who need it.

The Cooperative Housing Fund will be used by the Illinois Housing Development Authority to award up to $5 million in grants to organizations developing cooperative housing for residents with an income less than or equal to the median income within the municipality.

“Having a place to call your own and develop into a home is important for individuals and those who are raising a family,” Simmons said. “Cooperative housing is a great way to build community and foster a sense of stability for those needing housing. It also helps ensure that rapidly changing communities remain diverse and accessible to all.”

Senate Bill 1484 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect immediately.