Simmons’ new law protects pharmacists and pharmacy benefits

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons spearheaded a new law to address critical issues facing pharmacists and pharmacy benefits by prohibiting Pharmacy Benefit Managers from retaliating against pharmacists for exercising their right to freedom of speech.

“This is a consumer protection initiative that will also protect our local pharmacists,” said Simmons (D – Chicago). “In recent years, Pharmacy Benefit Managers have abused their market power to implement policies. These practices negatively affect consumer health plans, pharmacies and patients. The policies and practices are driving many pharmacies out of business, jeopardizing patient access to essential care, and creating pharmacy deserts. That stops now.”

Pharmacy Benefit Managers are intermediary firms that facilitate prescription drug benefits claims for health insurers. House Bill 3631 bans Pharmacy Benefit Managers from retaliating against pharmacists who disclose information to a court, administrative hearing, a legislative commission or more, as long as the pharmacist reasonably believes the information they have disclosed is evidence of a violation.

“This law protects pharmacists and their right to discuss with representatives how operational practices impact their ability to provide needed patient care and medication,” said Simmons. “Threats imposed by Pharmacy Benefit Managers limit access to care, and as we continue to emerge from the pandemic, protecting our pharmacists is imperative to our pharmacists ability to serve our communities.”

House Bill 3631 was signed into law and went into immediate effect.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Simmons to provide backpacks and school supplies for local youth

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons and his staff will host a Back to School Bash in Rogers Park to ensure children have a successful school year this fall.
The event will feature a live DJ, school supplies, backpack giveaways, free food and community resources. Students of all grade levels and families are encouraged to attend.

WHO: State Senator Mike Simmons and staff

WHAT: Back to School Bash

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 18 from 6 - 7 p.m.

WHERE: Sullivan High School in Rogers Park, 6631 N. Bosworth Ave. Chicago, IL 60626

Senator Simmons Champions New Laws, Student Mental Health Council Accepting Applications, and New Small Business Grant Opportunities

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

I am happy to announce that work on my district office is now complete! We made some changes that I believe will make the space even more welcoming for constituents, including an outside space for folks to meet and enjoy the warm weather. Please stop by and say hello soon. We are here for you.

In other updates, I tested positive for COVID-19 last week and had to quarantine and spend a few days recovering. I want to encourage everyone to keep healthy in the weeks ahead, and remember to follow health department guidelines if you feel ill or think you may have had a recent exposure. Free testing is available at many local stores and pharmacies. As always, feel free to call my office if you need help finding healthcare or lack a primary health care home. We will help guide you.

On another topic, I have great news: I passed a youth mental health bill last year, SB4028 in the 102nd General Assembly, that among other things creates the first statewide Student Mental Health Council, which will be comprised of diverse 14-25 year olds from diverse backgrounds (including LGBTQ+ youth among others) whose voices are needed to better shape state-level mental health policy. I want to encourage young people between 14-25 to apply for the newly created Student Mental Health Council here. The deadline is Sept. 22.

A handful more of my bills were signed into law recently. Read on for details on those as well as key community updates and word about new resources available.

Finally, a huge THANK YOU to our summer interns Ochii, Justin, and Byron who are wrapping up their internships soon. Each played pivotal roles on our district team this summer and I enjoyed seeing them gain valuable experience.

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

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 Legislative Updates

 

Caption: Senator Mike Simmons led passage of three bills signed into law this July.

This month, several more bills I authored and passed were signed into law, including: Senate Bill 1710 and Senate Bill 2014.

Additionally, I played a key role in shaping and leading several House Bills through the Senate that were also signed into law this month, including House BIll 2131, House Bill 1342, House BIll 2297, and House Bill 3631.

Bike and pedestrian safety improvements: A key legislative accomplishment of mine that the governor signed last Friday is Senate Bill 2014. The bill will require that IDOT complete bike and pedestrian safety improvements to state-managed roadways within 500 feet of the site of any routine maintenance or improvements otherwise being done. This will help ensure bike and pedestrian safety improvements are efficiently completed in tandem with routine work such as pothole or street lighting repairs. The improvements could include high-visibility signage, crosswalk upgrades, curb bump outs, barrier-protected bike lanes and bus shelters. This bill was a major win for statewide bike and ped safety improvements. This follows the new MOU signed by IDOT and CDOT that also will enable more coordination of similar infrastructure improvements more locally here in Chicago.

Warning signs on bike trails and roadways: Last year, on two separate occasions, we experienced the loss of two children to traffic violence. I want our residents to feel safe by providing them with the security of increased protections for pedestrians and cyclists to bring about a less stressful experience while walking and cycling. Senate Bill 1710 requires bike trails to have warning signs along the path to let pedestrians and cyclists know of a vehicle crossing at least 150 feet in advance; the same requirement applies to roadways 150 before a bike trail crossing. Senate Bill 1710 was signed into law on Friday, July 28.

Comprehensive public transportation plan: Improving public transportation and increasing the number of clean energy buses is essential to improving the lives of 7th District residents. As chief cosponsor of House Bill 1342, I played a key role in shaping and leading this legislation through the Senate. I am excited to announce this newly signed law will accelerate the rollout of electric buses, reduce ride fares for youth and survivors of domestic violence, create work opportunities for youth, make public transit systems more efficient and accessible, and provide assistance to recover and regain ridership to pre-pandemic levels. House Bill 1342 was signed into law on Friday, July 28. The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Regional Transit Authority Public Transportation Assistance Program and requirements for PACE and METRA to create youth employment opportunities went into immediate effect, and the rest take effect January 1, 2024.

The Zero Traffic Fatalities Task Force: All residents should have peace of mind in knowing that they are safe and secure when traveling. Pedestrians, cyclists, and non-motorists should be just as safe and secure as those traveling by car. As a lifelong cyclist and in honor of the lives lost to traffic violence, I led House Bill 2131 in the Senate. This law creates the Zero Traffic Fatalities Task Force to help reduce bicycle accidents on roads by reporting detailed analysis of existing practices around speed limits, the reduction of speed limits, the steps to eliminate vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle fatalities on roads, and their lasting impact. House Bill 2131 was signed into law on Friday, July 28.

Achieving a more diversified state workforce: I believe that it is a basic human right for everyone to be referred to by their preferred pronouns in everyday life, and our state’s workforce should be a leader in reflecting the diversity of our population. I passed House Bill 2297 through the Senate, which adds state employees who identify as non-binary or gender non-conforming to the list of women, minorities and persons with physical disabilities in regards to agencies tracking this information to help guide efforts and bring visibility to gender-expansive state workers. House Bill 2297 was signed into law on Friday, July 28 and goes into effect on July 1, 2025.

Protecting pharmacists and consumers: It is imperative that we protect our pharmacist’s ability to serve our communities. I was proud to lead passage through the Senate of House Bill 3631, which was signed into law on August 4. This law prohibits Pharmacy Benefit Managers from retaliating against pharmacists who disclose information in a legal setting if they have reasonable cause to believe that the disclosed information is evidence of a violation of a state or federal law, rule, or regulation.

Here are all additional bills I passed that have been signed by the governor into law so far this summer:

Read more …

Simmons' pedestrian and cyclist safety plan signed into law by the governor

CHICAGO – Pedestrian and cyclist safety will improve thanks to a new law led by State Senator Mike Simmons which will require infrastructure improvements to roads whenever routine maintenance is conducted.

“It can be stressful to bike along a path or road with cars, especially when going on a bike ride with kids,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This initiative will help ensure bike and pedestrian safety improvements are efficiently completed in tandem with routine work such as pothole or street lighting repairs.”

These new sets of laws will require the Illinois Department of Transportation to develop a policy that focuses on installing pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure on State roadways in Illinois. Potential infrastructure improvements that can be made include higher-visibility signage, crosswalk upgrades, curb bump outs, lower speed limits, barrier-protected bike lanes, and improved bus shelters. These improvements can be made if they are located within 500 feet of the routine maintenance work. This law applies to any state roads, whether it is located within or outside a municipality.

“Everyone has a right to be safe, whether they choose to walk, bike, or drive,” Simmons said. “This common-sense and efficient new law will prevent future accidents and tragedies, and make our roads safer for all methods of transportation.”

Senate Bill 2014 was signed into law on August 4, 2023 and went into immediate effect.