Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons

Simmons Holds Town Hall to Update Community on Budget and Transit Fiscal Cliff

Details: Category: Press Releases; Friday, June 20, 2025 02:19 PM

Senator Simmons Transportation and Budget Town Hall

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons hosted a Transportation and Budget Town Hall on Wednesday for community members and residents with questions and feedback regarding the state’s budget and the future of transportation in Illinois.

“It was a tough session in the legislature with many issues to address and a tight budget. Nonetheless, I am proud of the many bills we passed, and the progress we have made in addressing the transit fiscal cliff and junk fees for renters,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Regarding transit, Illinois faces a once in a lifetime opportunity to reform and fund our statewise transit systems, and improve reliability, accessiblity, and safety on our buses and trains,” said Simmons (D-Chicago).

During the town hall, Simmons highlighted key investments within the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget, including a $1 million increase in funding for violence prevention programs in the 7th District, $22.5 million for Parent Mentors and Ladders of Opporunity, and increased funding for safety net hospitals in the 7th District just to name a few.

Simmons Fights to Ban Tenant Junk Fees and Require Lease Transparency

Details: Category: Press Releases; Wednesday, May 28, 2025 05:48 PM

State Senator Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – Over one third of all Illinoisans are renters, and half pay more than 30% of their income toward rent. State Senator Mike Simmons is fighting for legislation that would ban junk fees, require transparency on housing fees in a lease, and regulate move-in fees charged to tenants.

“For rental tenants, fees can add up to hundreds of dollars a month, making even affordable units out of reach, which ultimately displaces people from our communities,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “We must protect tenants from egregious fees and predatory lease clauses.”

House Bill 3564 would create the Rental Fee Transparency and Fairness Act, which would require transparency of housing fees on the first page of a lease, regulate move-in fees, and ban 12 junk fees.

Simmons Passes Bill through Senate to Increase Cyclist and Pedestrian Safety

Details: Category: Press Releases; Thursday, May 22, 2025 05:33 PM

Senator Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – To provide the safest conditions possible for cyclists, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced legislation to update sign requirements on bike trails where there are known hazards.

“Improved signage around pathway hazards or emergencies is a simple way to keep everyone safe,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “When someone chooses to ride their bike, whether to commute or for enjoyment, they should be confident they are safe and protected.”

Under Simmons’ legislation, House Bill 2675, local government and municipality-owned bicycle trails must contain signage or other warning markers alerting cyclists to known emergencies or hazards. If a highway crossing is already controlled by a stop light or stop sign, additional crossing signage for cyclists would not be required.

Simmons Pushes for Clean Drinking Water Research and Development Funding

Details: Category: Press Releases; Wednesday, May 21, 2025 06:52 PM

Senator Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons introduced legislation to increase support for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s clean drinking water programs across the state.

“This funding will help us stay ahead of emerging contaminants in drinking water,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Every community has a right to clean and safe drinking water, and we need to stay diligent in the state of Illinois.”

Under Senate Bill 1609, $5 million would be allocated to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency each year to support clean drinking water initiatives. The Illinois EPA recently notified 47 public water systems in Illinois that their water contains PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” underscoring the need for sustainable funding for clean water initiatives.

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.

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Sincerely,

Sen. Mike Simmons