Dear Neighbor,
We’ve wrapped up the spring legislative session! We passed a historic budget that includes a provision to expand the earned income tax credit, which I personally fought hard for. Alongside the budget, I was able to secure the passage of 10 pieces of legislation covering a range of issue areas including youth mental health. I also helped drive the passage of several bills as a chief cosponsor including groundbreaking gun safety legislation and a Medicaid expansion. The Senate finished its final session going late into the night and adjourning at 3 am!
Here are some highlights from the budget:
$1.83 Billion in Tax Relief for Working Families
- Permanently expands the earned-income tax credit for those currently eligible– putting an additional $105 million per year back into the pockets of low-income households
- Expands eligibility for the earned-income tax credit to adults 18-24 years old, ITIN filers, and seniors 65 and older
- Provides direct checks to working families: $50 per individual and $100 per child, up to three children per family
- Helps teachers buy supplies for their classroom through a tax credit up to $500
- Back to school tax relief on school clothes and materials for families and teachers – saving consumers $50 million
- Suspends the tax on groceries for one year – saving consumers $400 million
- Freezes the motor fuel tax for six months – saving consumers $70 million
- Doubles the property tax rebate – up to $300 per household
We also secured a wage increase for 60,000 homecare workers who often care for seniors. My bill SB4030 bill details (homecare wage increase) originally called for a $1.56 increase and was partially included in the final budget providing a 70 cent per hour pay increase.
Supporting Arts, Theater and Music Venues, Restaurants, Breweries, and Small Businesses – All Key Wins for Our District
The budget includes $50 million for arts and cultural organizations and $50 million for restaurants, bars, and breweries. License fees for bars and restaurants are also being suspended.
It also includes $16 million for community navigators for small business technical assistance, and funding for low-interest loan programs for business expansion. Additional funding includes $20 million for business attraction and retention and $50 million for the Employer Training Investment Program.
Paying Down Debt and Fulfilling Pension Promises
The budget meets the state’s full pension commitment while adding $200 million to pay down debt, bringing total extra pension payments to $500 million and saving taxpayers more than $1.8 billion. A $1 billion Rainy Day Fund is also included for emergency stability.
Investing in Education
The FY23 budget invests nearly $600 million in early childhood education and an additional $350 million for K-12 evidence-based funding.
College financial aid includes $122 million for MAP grants: MAP grant program details .
Prioritizing Mental Health
The budget allocates $5 million for crisis response services through the 988 hotline and increases addiction treatment funding by $50 million.
Legislative Updates
I am proud to share that I have ten bills heading to the governor’s desk for signing:
- HB 4369 bill status: Lead inspection enforcement improvements
- SB 4028 bill status: Student mental health education and council
- HB 4430 bill status: Access to HIV prevention medication
- SB 702 bill status: Senior Residents Council creation
- SB 3865 bill status: Removal of outdated terminology from statutes
- SB 3136 bill status: Medicaid continuity for housing insecure individuals
- HB 4589 bill status: Men’s Health Division creation
- HB 5016 bill status: Remote learning for incarcerated youth
- HB 5201 bill status: Agricultural Equity Commission
- HB 5525 bill status: Commission on Children of Incarcerated Parents
Additionally, I helped secure passage of HB 4383 ghost guns legislation details .
Join us Saturday, April 30th for our Northside Resource Day Event at Swift Elementary. The Secretary of State’s Office will provide ID and driver services.
View required documents and service details for Northside Resource Day
7th District candid photo taken at Bowmanville garden near Rosehill Cemetery.
Apply for Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund: Homeowner mortgage and tax relief application portal
Cook County gun violence prevention grant program: Cook County ARPA grant application information
Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program: Apply for Illinois Works training program
Please contact my office at 773-769-1717 for constituent services or support.
Sincerely,
Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District
