CHICAGO — State Senator Mike Simmons is in Washington, D.C. joining elected officials and community leaders from Illinois and Indiana to highlight the impacts of the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act on communities across Illinois.
“The impact of Biden-Harris policies and programs on Chicago’s far north side have created opportunities and expanded the possibilities for the diverse and resourceful people of the 7th District,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “I am proud of the partnership between Illinois Democrats and the Biden-Harris Administration and look forward to continuing efforts to improve the lives of residents across our state.”
The impact of the Biden-Harris Administration in Simmons’ district has been monumental to his efforts in the Senate, inspiring Simmons’ leadership in fighting for passage of an Illinois state-level permanent child tax credit. Building on this state-federal partnership, Simmons’ package of bills recently signed into law accelerates the rollout of electric buses and modernizes transportation infrastructure to improve safety, accessibility and sustainability for residents across Illinois.
Under the administration, Illinois' unemployment rate has dropped to 4.5% with 429,000 jobs created since Biden took office. Simmons has worked hard to ensure his constituents can find meaningful, gainful employment, hosting job fairs for returning citizens and many others to help all residents in the 7th District live dignified lives in a fair and just economy.
Additionally, Simmons secured $2.5 million in funds to provide one-time $10,000 grants to small businesses across his Senate district last year through the 7th District Small Business Restoration Grant – a direct response to the extraordinary challenges small business owners across the area face from inflation, corporate competition, rent increases, and labor and inventory shortages.
“I pride myself in being approachable and centering everyday people of the 7th District in my legislative work,” said Simmons. “When residents bring their concerns to me, I want to make sure they feel heard and I take action to address their issues. Through continued partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, we will continue strengthening our economy here in the 7th District.”
CHICAGO — State Senator Mike Simmons joined Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Human Services, Google Public Sector, and a host of elected officials Monday to announce a new state-of-the-art online portal, BEACON, to provide a user-friendly experience for Illinois families and residents to access behavioral and mental health care resources for children.
“Access and equity in all forms of healthcare is a top priority,” said Simmons (D-Chicago), who serves as Vice-Chair of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee. “I am happy to see our state taking intentional steps in partnership with a wide range of partners in simplifying the process for finding mental and behavioral health care in Illinois for children.”
CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons announced that the deadline for the 7th District Small Business Restoration Grant has been extended to Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. to allow for as many 7th District small businesses to apply as possible.
The 7th District Small Business Restoration Grant is a result of $2.5 million in funds he secured to provide one-time, $10,000 grants to small businesses across the community last year.
“It is important that as many 7th District small businesses apply for this grant as possible,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Over the last year and a half, so many small business owners have stopped me in passing or come to our district office to request help. I am so proud to be able to secure this funding for our small businesses.”
The 7th District Small Business Restoration Grant was created in direct response to extraordinary challenges small business owners face - including the impacts of gentrification, rent increases, lack of credit, language access barriers, labor and inventory shortages, building issues, inflation, and more. The application is available in several languages, including Amharic, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Persian.
“This grant is specifically for small businesses in the 7th District and is intended for those who have missed out on previous grant opportunities,” said Simmons. “Thank you to the five local chambers of commerce for collaborating with our office, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for their partnership.”
Full details on the grant, including the application and eligibility, can be found here. Applications are open until Friday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m.
Dear Neighbors,
The last couple of weeks have gone by fast. I’ve kept up the good fight to outlaw book banning in school curriculum. First, I went on CAN-TV last week and participated in an in-depth panel discussion on book banning with a writer-poet, several American Library Association staff and the Commissioner of the Chicago Public Library. You can watch the segment below.
Additionally, I attended a roundtable with the Illinois Library Association’s North Suburban and Chicago Libraries to discuss overall legislation important to libraries across Illinois. I was honored to join and represent our district, and share remarks about my efforts to outlaw curriculum book bans across Illinois along with my legislative anti-book banning work last spring. I also attended an elementary school this week where I discussed book banning with 5th graders! They gave me some new book titles to add to my queue this holiday break!
Lastly, I won an award from the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois yesterday for my legislative work in defending and protecting human and civil rights – specifically regarding my new law requiring child welfare agencies to use preferred pronouns of youth in their agencies.
I also organized and hosted a first of its kind job fair for returning residents at Truman College last week. It was a high point in my time in the Senate to see this come together so seamlessly thanks to the hard work of my district office staff. Check out the photos and recap of this awesome and inspiring district event below. We will be offering ongoing support for returning residents and those who are looking for jobs.
I’ve been out and about in the district attending two Hanukkah Menorah lightings, a small business town-hall hosted last week by Representative Hoan Huynh, a Midwest Legislators Roundtable on Biofuels, a meeting at my district office with CEO, Tracy Scott, of the Chicago Housing Authority and several constituent meetings. I love representing all of our neighbors in the 7th District and want to say thank you again for your confidence in me and my staff.
Read on for legislative updates, photo recaps from community meetings and events, and awesome resources for constituents toward the end!
Sincerely,
Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District
Simmons Receives ACLU of Illinois Legislator Award
Caption: Senator Mike Simmons and Senator Lakesia Collins receive the ACLU Illinois Legislator Award recognizing their overall commitment to defending human rights and protecting civil liberties alongside ACLU Director of Systems Reform Policy, Nora Collins-Mandeville.
I was proud to receive the ACLU of Illinois Legislator Award alongside Senator Lakesia Collins and several of my colleagues who have championed legislation that defends human rights and protects our civil liberties. I was recognized for my work in securing passage of House Bill 1596, which requires inclusive language in pre-existing state laws requiring child welfare agencies to honor, respect and use the preferred pronouns of children within their care and systems. This is a necessary and long overdue step in protecting the dignity and wellbeing of young people who have already been failed countless times by broken systems for decades. Thank you ACLU for this honor! I look forward to continuing the fight for human rights for all.
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