CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons held his 5th annual Pride Press Conference on Wednesday at the historic Gerber Hart Library and Archives in Rogers Park, the largest independent, non-profit, LGBTQ+ library in the Midwest. As the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Illinois Senate and in a time where LGBTQ+ individuals and communities are facing unprecedented discrimination and threats to human rights, his press conference focused on LGBTQ+ mental and physical health, youth, safety, and creating safe spaces. Participants included over 45 local elected officials, advocates, business owners and organizations.

“It is so important that everyone does more than just talk about programs and policies that protect and support the LGBTQ+ community,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “We must continue to push for our dreams to become a reality - where schools and their administrations are inclusive of queer youth, where queer authors thrive, and where queer people are represented in all spaces in society.”

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.

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.

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.