General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons
Dear Neighbor,
I hope this newsletter finds you well! I am proud to share that I have passed 9 bills out of the State Senate - bills that came directly from the advocacy and lived experiences of constituents like you. The bills cover a broad scope of issue areas including providing new protections for residents of affordable housing, new insurance benefits for preventative health screening for liver disease, new requirements for bike and pedestrian safety infrastructure improvements on state routes, and a one year pause on court-assessed fees, fines, and taxes for returning citizens. For full details on each of my 9 bills, please see Legislative Updates below.
In addition to moving these bills, I toured a CTA bus garage on Chicago’s west side to see for myself the current storage and electric charging facilities used for buses. I have brought forth legislation, SB1864, that would accelerate the timeline for CTA and other Illinois transit agencies to bring online a fully electric bus fleet so we reduce harmful emissions and make our transit systems more sustainable.
I also witnessed the signing of the Paid Leave for All Workers Act into law, joined a virtual White House Convening on Child Care Access and Affordability, actively participated in several legislative committee meetings, hosted refugee youth in the REACH program at our district office, honored International Trans Day of Visibility, and held a monthly virtual townhall this week.
I also want to take a moment to lift up a key resource for our district. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is now accepting applications for the Back to Business Grant. If you own a small business and have not received any pandemic-related funding previously, be sure to see if your small business is eligible and apply.
Stay tuned for more updates, and you can always follow along and track my bills at ILGA.gov.
Sincerely,
Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District
Legislative Updates
Senator Mike Simmons Passes 9 Bills Out of the Senate
Caption: Senator Mike Simmons presenting one of his Senate bills for final action on the Senate floor.
Bills Passed
- SB2013 requires air-conditioning in newly constructed state-funded affordable housing.
- SB2014 improves bike and pedestrian safety infrastructure on state roads.
- SB1282 eliminates cost-sharing for preventive liver disease screenings.
- SB1892 renews transit discount cards automatically for seniors and disabled riders.
- SB2175 pauses court fees/fines for returning citizens for one year.
- SB1710 improves safety signage near bike trails and crossings.
- SB2278 supports complete streets planning for safer roads.
- SB1709 expands school mental health support services.
- SB1484 creates Cooperative Housing Fund for affordable housing grants.
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Senator Mike Simmons Visits CTA Bus Garage
Caption: Visit to CTA bus garage to support full bus electrification legislation SB1864.
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Paid Leave for Workers Act Signing
Contact Information
For questions or concerns, contact our office at 773-769-1717 or email
