- Published: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 09:02 AM
General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons
Dear Neighbor,
It is great to be back in the 7th District after a very busy, extended legislative session in Springfield! I am thrilled to share that I passed a record number of bills (23) that will have a direct impact on the daily lives of 7th district constituents and Illinoisans addressing housing, transportation, access to health care, LGBTQ+ rights, expanding human rights, and much more. It has also been an incredible honor to serve as the Chair of the Human Rights Committee, Vice-Chair of the Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, as a member of the Education Committee, and the Transportation Committee and the Appropriations - Health and Human Services Committee. It has been an extremely productive spring session. For a detailed recap on the legislation I passed, please visit ilga.gov or click here to read my Spring 2023 update!
Last night I hosted our first ever “Traveling Office Hours” event at Spiteful Brewing Tap in Bowmanville. My staff and I enjoyed connecting and chatting with so many of our neighbors! The event was such a success with nearly 50 constituents attending that we will be doing these each month all around the 7th district.
More big news - this month my district office moved from our former location at 5533 N. Broadway to our new location at 1040 W. Bryn Mawr Ave! We are at the intersection of Bryn Mawr and Kenmore, between Red Twist Theatre and Hooked on Fish. To make sure we are able to best assist you as we settle in, please reach us via phone at 773-769-1717 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We look forward to welcoming you to our new "home"!
Caption: State Senator Mike Simmons and his district staff moving into his new office location at 1040 West Bryn Mawr Ave. on Wednesday, May 31st.
Additionally, my office is holding a virtual People’s Legislative Council focused on individuals living with disabilities on Thursday, June 22 at 4PM. If you would like to know more or RSVP to either of these events, call or email at 773-769-1717 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
As we all know, the month of June is Pride Month. The LGBTQ+ community, of which I am a proud member, has so much to celebrate. Midsommarfest in Andersonville this past weekend was an incredible display of Swedish heritage and LGBTQ+ pride, and I loved every minute! I learned about new traditions, met hundreds of people, and enjoyed our local food and retail vendors. Next up, I am looking forward to hosting my annual Pride Press Conference in Rogers Park at Gerber/Hart Library on Friday, June 23.
While in celebration, it is important to simultaneously acknowledge the unprecedented opposition our LGBTQ+ community faces. Our nation currently faces the highest number of anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-reproductive rights bills ever introduced, our corporations are shrinking back from supporting us (Target and Anheuser-Busch, I’m looking at you), and books addressing LGBTQ+ topics and identities continue to be banned. Just a few weeks ago, I witnessed ignorance and threats of violence on the Senate floor against the option for businesses to provide all-gender restrooms to patrons. Now more than ever, it is time to come together. I am so proud of our local community. The northside of Chicago is seen as a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community. I strive to make that a reality for the entire state of Illinois and beyond. During these tumultuous times, hold your head high, help one another, and know that I have your back.
In closing, I welcome you to stay connected with my office. Whether it is connecting to housing, healthcare, or sharing what is important to you, please reach out. And please visit us at our new district office on Bryn Mawr. We love to help the community.
Sincerely,
Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District