Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons

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

Details: Category: Newsletters; Tuesday, January 24, 2023 11:57 AM

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.

Senator Mike Simmons inauguration moment holding a photo of his mother at college graduation — Being inaugurated holding a photo of my mom and me together at my college graduation.

I also took the oath of office and was sworn in to a second term representing our diverse communities in the Illinois Senate...

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

Legislative Updates

Assault Weapon Ban Signed into Law

Senator Simmons speaking during assault weapons ban signing event — Advocating for the Protect Illinois Communities Act.

We have taken a monumental step forward in passing HB 5471...

Reproductive & Gender-Affirming Care Protections

Bill signing event for reproductive and gender-affirming care protections — At the bill signing for HB4664 with sponsors and advocates.

Illinois continues to strengthen protections for reproductive health and gender-affirming care...

Name Change & Birth Certificate Updates

House Bill 2542 and House Bill 9 improve access to legal identity changes for transgender and nonbinary residents...

Paid Leave for Workers Act

Senator Simmons speaking about paid leave legislation — Paid Leave for Workers Act provides 40 hours of paid leave.

This legislation ensures employees receive paid time off for personal needs...

Community Updates

Cook County property tax due date has been extended to April 3.

Community Resources

Representative Kelly Cassidy’s office is moving to 1507 W. Morse Avenue.

Upcoming Events

Argyle Lunar New Year Parade – Jan 28
Andersonville Fika Fest – Feb 3–5
Edgewater Winter Markets – Through Feb 23
Howard Street Makers Studio – Through February

For questions, contact:
📞 773-769-1717
📧 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Simmons advocates for paid leave for single parents

Details: Category: Press Releases; Thursday, January 12, 2023 04:45 PM

simmons 3 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.

Simmons inaugurated to the Illinois Senate

Details: Category: Press Releases; Wednesday, January 11, 2023 03:42 PM

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons has been sworn into the 103^rd General Assembly. Simmons’ inauguration marks the start of his second full term in the Senate. Senator Simmons is a lifelong resident of the 7^th Illinois Senate District, the first Black person to serve the 7th District, the first openly gay member of the Illinois Senate, the first Ethiopian-American to serve in either chamber, and the third openly gay, black state senator in the nation. In his first term, he secured passage of 16 pieces of legislation and helped shape dozens more including banning hair discrimination in Illinois schools, improving access to mental health for diverse youth, providing economic relief for struggling parents, requiring lead abatement in buildings, and expanding protections and healthcare for LGBTQ+ people in Illinois to name a few.

“It’s a towering honor to continue serving the people of the 7th district in the 103rd General Assembly. The district, which includes the far north side Chicago, is one of the most diverse in the nation with well over 100 languages spoken and ethnicities represented from every corner of the world. I look forward to centering the voices, lived experiences, and needs of these diverse communities and every single one of my constituents in my office. In my first term we put the people of the 7th district at the center of all my legislative work — single moms, longtime residents, youth, LGBTQ+ people, returning citizens, the disabled, survivors of gun violence, seniors, and so many others who have been unheard for too long.”

“In my new term I will continue to focus on introducing and passing far-reaching policy that makes a difference for everyday people, delivering excellent and proactive constituent services, and making sure 7th district residents feel seen, heard, understood, and helped by my office. I will also continue to fight for legislation that provides affordable housing to those who need it, expands access to health care, expands the rights of our LGBTQ+ communities, improves our transportation systems, protects our diverse immigrant communities, protects reproductive rights, supports our schools, addresses gun violence, and so much more.”

Simmons was first sworn in to the Senate in 2021, after previously serving as Founder and CEO of Blue Sky Strategies & Co., a firm that develops anti-racist public policy. He also previously served as Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development for the City of Chicago and was Deputy Director of the My Brother's Keeper Alliance, a national Obama Foundation initiative. Prior to that he served on the legislative staff of US Senator Dick Durbin.

Simmons looks forward to working hard, leading on progressive issues, collaborating with his colleagues, and being an outspoken voice for the people of his district in the 103^rd General Assembly.

Simmons supports legislation to protect access to abortion and gender-affirming care in Illinois

Details: Category: Press Releases; Tuesday, January 10, 2023 06:31 PM

SPRINGFIELD – A measure supported by State Senator Simmons that advances protection to abortion and gender-affirming care passed the Senate on Tuesday, January 10.

“The Supreme Court’s overturning of a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion has denied millions the right to choose, as well as transgender and non-binary people’s right to health care,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “While Illinois has worked hard to enshrine abortion and gender-affirming rights, many other states are working to strip those rights away. This legislation will ensure Illinois is a safe place, where the reproductive rights and health care of millions of people – women of all backgrounds, transgender people, and nonbinary people - retain the right to make a decision about their own body.”

While Illinois has some of the most extensive reproductive health laws about abortion and gender-affirming care in the country, more work had to be done to further enshrine protections in Illinois as many neighboring states have acted to diminish the rights of women, transgender youth, and the LGBTQ+ community broadly. With House Bill 4664, Illinois health care providers will not be able to be penalized for providing care, including abortion care and gender-affirming care that has been outlawed in another state but remains legal in Illinois, and people in Illinois won’t be punished for seeking reproductive health care or gender-affirming care that is lawful here. “There is a movement right now targeting trans youth, LGBTQ+ people, and women’s reproductive rights in our country. We must stay vigilant and pass strong, far-reaching legislation that protects women’s reproductive rights and protects access to gender-affirming care for transgender and non-binary people, and trans youth” said Simmons.

The bill also protects the right to choose by establishing a counterclaim for individuals who have a judgment entered against them in another state for reproductive health care that is legal in Illinois, protecting in vitro fertilization, and permitting birthing centers to provide clinical reproductive care.

“We are taking prudent steps to ensure the right for individuals to make their own decisions about their bodies and health care,” Simmons said. “We have more work to do. I will continue to fight for those who are seeking abortions and gender-affirming care so they receive the necessary and often lifesaving health care that they need quickly and affordably. I will continue to be a staunch advocate and fight around the clock to ensure Illinois has the resources to provide reproductive health care for the countless medical refugees who will no doubt need to come to our state to receive it. We must make it clear that we will not allow the Supreme Court to undo hard-won generational rights.”

HB 4664 passed the Senate on January 10.

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.

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Sincerely,

Senator Mike Simmons Signature