Simmons applauds $99,000 grant funding for Rogers Park recovery efforts

CHICAGO – Thanks to the advocacy of Senator Mike Simmons and the Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) program, the Rogers Park Business Alliance will see $99,000 in grant funding to finance economic recovery efforts sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The RISE program reimburses the costs local governments and economic development organizations incur while expanding local economic recovery efforts. These costs include salaries, research, outreach, and expenses related to administering recovery efforts.

“The efforts of Rogers Park Business Alliance to soften the economic impacts of the pandemic are a key part of the overall work being led by the community and small business owners to ensure existing businesses succeed, and new businesses are positioned for success,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “As the son of a long-time Rogers Park salon owner, I know firsthand how beautifully diverse Rogers Park businesses are and what they do for the block and larger community. I know this economic recovery grant will help ensure those businesses can thrive and hold on during this tough economic climate and do so in a way that preserves the character of these commercial corridors without gentrification and displacement.”

RISE empowers local governments to create meaningful plans with a focus on specific initiatives and investments that support recovery from the pandemic. The grants funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will help improve the quality of life for community members by taking a comprehensive approach to economic development through supporting the local workforce, improving affordable housing options and more.

“We are grateful for the grant in the amount of $99K which will allow RPBA and the City of Evanston to work together to facilitate a highly inclusive planning process,” said Sandi Price, Executive Director of Rogers Park Business Alliance. “The outcome of the plan will showcase an equitable shared vision that will chart a future course and assure the long-term resiliency of the Howard Street commercial corridor and communities on both sides of Howard Street.”

“Rogers Park is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Chicago, and Howard Street exemplifies that from Lake Michigan to Western Avenue in its storefronts,” said Simmons. “It will take intentionality in economic planning to ensure economic recovery efforts are done for existing businesses on the Howard Street corridor, many of whom are Black, African, Latinx, and Caribbean-owned.”

For more information about the RISE program or its allocation to Rogers Park Business Alliance, please visit the DCEO website.

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Second half of August updates

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you and your loved ones are staying well. Recently, new relief opportunities have been announced that will benefit households across the 7th District. See further down under "Community Resources" for details related to back to school tax benefits, federal student loan payment relief, and a new program that will benefit seniors.

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

The last two weeks have been productive. I had an opportunity to take a tour of Swedish Covenant Hospital and met with CEO Anthony Guaccio and several ER and clinical staff. We discussed numerous systemic challenges facing healthcare facilities including finding and retaining healthcare workers, the barebones support system in place for our neighbors who struggle with addition and other issues. We also discussed progress made since the rollout last summer of the Northside Collaborative, a partnership between Swedish Hospital and five nearby federally qualified health clinics that aims to mitigate barriers to specialty care and increase health equity. I am especially passionate about seeing health disparities for those living with chronic mental health conditions, black women, immigrants, and LGBTQIA populations reduced over time in our district and surrounding areas. This collaborative is a step in the right direction. We also toured the emergency room and the new Women's Health Suite. Lastly, I met with the staff of Project Impact, a behavioral health crisis program that seeks to assist adults and children experiencing health or addiction crises.

I also recently had the pleasure of meeting with Dan Arnett, General Manager of the Uptown-based Chicago Market, which will be a new food cooperative located on Broadway and Wilson. We brainstormed potential partnerships with community based organizations that will help ensure this co-op space meets the needs of our richly diverse populations.

Additionally, I've been in touch with the staff at Howard Brown Health Center and we are working together with the Illinois Department of Public Health Director to ensure there is an equitable response across Illinois for MPV (monkeypox) vaccine distribution for the LGBTQIA community. As our state's first openly gay state Senator, I know all too well how poorly our community has been served historically by the system and will continue to advocate and push for equitable vaccine distribution and education around MPV.

I met with Shawn Jackson, President of Truman College and staff to discuss ongoing capital needs at their Uptown facility. They are beginning renovations of a decades old biology lab that will serve a broad and diverse population of students from across our district.

On another note, last weekend I visited the Edgewater Historical Society to tour the new Indigenous Edgewater exhibit. I participated in a tour with Les Begay, Founder of the Illinois Indigenous People's Day Coalition, Marjorie Fritz-Birch, and volunteers with the historical society. I enjoyed seeing a well-done map that shows a village site inhabited by multiple ethnic groups that existed just a couple hundred years ago on almost the exact location of the apartment building where I grew up in Lincoln Square. It is really important for our community to know and understand this history that often is not taught or talked about and really should be. I encourage you to visit the exhibit and learn about the indigenous communities who lived and continue to live in the areas we now know as Edgewater and Lincoln Square.

I also visited 19 block parties in every section and neighborhood of our district over the last three weekends! I always enjoy visiting constituents in the community and giving everyone a chance to get to know their state Senator and ask questions about legislation or community issues. It was extra special to visit with neighbors of the 2400 block of W. Berwyn who threw their very first block party. I grew up just a block and a half away! And it was fun visiting the Dover Street Neighbors Association block party last weekend as I lived on Dover not too long ago. Thank you to all of you who organize block parties and take the time to get to know your neighbors. It makes our community stronger.

Below there is information on how parents and teachers can receive tax deductions for the cost of school supplies, and student loan borrowers will see up to $20,000 in forgiveness and reduced monthly payments. Read on to learn more about these exciting opportunities and how your family can benefit.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 773-769-1717 if we can help you with anything.

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th Senate District

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