Simmons to chair Senate Human Rights Committee

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons has been named Chair of the Senate Committee on Human Rights in the 103rd General Assembly.

“I am thrilled to be named Chair of the Senate Committee on Human Rights,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “During my first term in the Senate, I led on legislation that amplifies the voices of and protects LGBTQIA+ people, youth, single moms, gun violence survivors, seniors, immigrants and refugees, people living with disabilities, people seeking reproductive care, and so many others who have been excluded from policy discussions for too long. The systemic issues facing those communities are human rights issues. I am honored to lead this committee and ensure the committee provides opportunities for disenfranchised communities to bring forth and shape legislation that centers voices long excluded from policy debates, and provides ample opportunities for new protections to be secured.

The Senate Committee on Human Rights will take on key issues such as immigration, LGBTQIA+ rights and policies related to race, among other key issues.

Simmons is a strong advocate for expanding the rights of those who have been treated unjustly by the government. In the 102nd General Assembly, he sponsored the Jett Hawkins Act and the CROWN Act, which prevent schools and workplaces from prohibiting hairstyles historically associated with race, ethnicity, or hair texture. He also sponsored SB3865, which removes the word “alien” from all Illinois state statutes, programs, etc., in reference to noncitizens and undocumented immigrants. One of his first bills was passage of SB2133, a systemic step forward that requires state agencies and departments to begin collecting and assembling data for sexual orientation and gender identity for Illinois populations. Prior to joining the Senate, Simmons consistently fought to advance human rights. At the Obama Foundation, he pushed to ensure queer voices were reflected in youth-serving violence prevention programs, prior to that he led negotiations to secure protections for transgender residents in Chicago, and most recently fought tirelessly to ensure protections for gender-affirming care and parents of transgender youth were incorporated into the Patient and Provider Protection Act, groundbreaking legislation signed into law last month that advances sweeping protections for reproductive health care and ensures Illinois remains a refuge for bodily autonomy.

As committee chair, Simmons aims to expand protections for all in Illinois. This is Senator Simmons’ first committee chairpersonship.

Simmons also has been named Vice-Chair of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee. Expanding access to mental health is a top priority for Simmons. In his first term he passed SB4028, which requires schools to instruct on how and where to access mental health care while ensuring diverse youth voices have a seat at the table in shaping mental health policy at the state level.

Simmons previously served as the Vice-Chair of the Senate Healthcare Access and Availability Committee and served on the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, Tourism and Hospitality Committee, Appropriations Subcommittee on Health, and Transportation Committee.

Senator Simmons’ new committee assignments for the 103rd General Assembly are as follows:

• Behavioral and Mental Health (Vice-Chair)
• Education Committee
• Transportation Committee
• Appropriations – Health and Human Services Committee

Simmons celebrates AAPI heritage at the Argyle Lunar New Year Parade

CHICAGO – To celebrate the Lunar New Year, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) is inviting community members to join him at the 2023 Argyle Lunar New Year Parade.  

Celebrate the year of the rabbit on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the corner of West Argyle Street and North Winthrop Avenue, hosted by Uptown United, 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman, and over 20+ local community groups.

The event has happened for more than forty years and the day will feature cultural institutions, dancers and performers, family friendly activities and a parade that will begin at 1 p.m. on the corner of West Argyle Street and North Winthrop Avenue.

“I am honored to participate in the Argyle Lunar New Year Parade again, and usher in a year of hope and prosperity with our diverse AAPI community,” said Simmons. “Coming together as a community is a gift that I don’t take for granted, and I hope everyone will join me.”

The parade will kick-off at Argyle and Winthrop. The parade route will head west on Argyle, north on Broadway, east on Winona, and south on Sheridan and then back to Argyle. Due to CTA construction, the parade will not head into Ainslie, as it has in years prior.

For more information, visit exploreuptown.org/lunar. 

Senator Simmons Supports Passage of Assault Weapon Ban, Reproductive Rights, and is Sworn in to Second Term

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you had a safe and relatively quiet holiday season. The 2023 year is off to a very busy start. I am personally proud of the historic, nine-day Lame Duck Legislative Session we wrapped up last week that included passage of major legislation including one of the strongest assault weapons bans in the country, sweeping protections for reproductive rights and gender-affirming care, paid leave for workers, name change and birth certificate legislation, and new year-over-year funding for affordable housing.

Caption: Being inaugurated holding a photo of my mom and me together at my college graduation! Even though she could not physically be here, her memory and legacy shape who I am, how I show up, and my deep dedication to our diverse communities of the 7th District.

I also took the oath of office and was sworn in to a second term representing our diverse communities in the Illinois Senate! I was inaugurated holding a photo of my mother Ramona, who until her untimely passing in 2020, was a longtime salon owner in Rogers Park running Salon Pastiche on Loyola Avenue for 25 years. Our first day of the Lame Duck Session was Jan. 4, which is her death anniversary, and I intentionally decided to recommit to fighting for a world she’d want to raise her children in and didn’t live long enough to see. I’ll be fighting for our district this term and doing so in her memory. Read on for specific legislative and community updates, and for a photo recap from my swearing-in!

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons

State Senator | 7th District

Read more …

Simmons advocates for paid leave for single parents

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons Chief-Cosponsored legislation that allows employees to take up to 40 hours of paid leave.

“Life is unpredictable, from a car accident to a child home with a fever to caring for an elderly parent, things happen that will take priority over work,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “It is important all employees in Illinois, especially working single-parents and those with families, have the time they need to handle what is happening at home without worrying about missing a paycheck.”

Senate Bill 208 creates the Paid Leave for Workers Act, which provides employees in Illinois with a minimum of 40 hours of paid leave which can be used for any reason within a 12-month period. Senator Simmons was proud to be a Chief-Cosponsor of the legislation.

The measure corresponds with another proposal Senator Simmons sponsored in the 102nd General Assembly, the Single Parents’ Bill of Rights. That bill would allow employees who are single parents to claim up to 40 hours of unpaid time off of work to care for their child’s needs. With the passage of SB 208, all employees, including single parents, will now have 40 hours of paid time off.   

“Parenting is one of the toughest jobs you can have. Nearly one out of three households in my district are headed by single parents,” Simmons said. “In my People’s Legislative Council initiative, single moms from our district told me that they often struggle to get time away from work to attend their kid’s parent teacher conferences, attend sporting events, or get a sick child to the doctor. It’s my duty to fight for legislation that will aid single parents in the balancing act of raising their children, showing up for work, and taking care of themselves as hardworking parents who are so underappreciated. The Paid Leave for Workers Act will help them achieve that balance.”

SB 208 passed out of the Senate on Tuesday and now heads to the Governor’s desk for consideration.