Invitation from Senator Mike Simmons
Dear Neighbor,
In response to the Illinois budget and to provide direct updates about transit funding and reform, I am holding a Transportation & Budget Town Hall on Wednesday, June 18 at Amundsen High School in the auditorium, from 6 - 7:00 p.m. It is crucially important that the public and our communities hear real-time updates and I hope you will join me.
Our transit systems in northern Illinois – including CTA, Metra, and Pace – face a $770 million fiscal cliff this year as federal COVID-19 dollars run out. As a life-long user of public transportation and member of the Senate Transportation Committee, I fought vigorously and passionately to pass HB3438 out of the Senate before the end of the Spring session.
HB3438 offers a once in a generation opportunity to not only protect the current transit systems we all rely on, but also to expand and upgrade CTA, Metra, and Pace so that these systems rival those in Germany, Japan, Colombia, and other global centers.
At this town hall I will also address the Illinois state budget as a whole, including areas that were not funded but that I and my colleagues fought for, such as the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) program.
I will also address major wins, including unprecedented funding for violence prevention, Parent Mentor, Ladders of Opportunity, increased MAP grant funding so that Illinois students can attend college affordably, and increased Direct Service Provider hours.
Come to this event to hear updates directly from me and learn how you can advocate.
Please RSVP at bit.ly/simmonsth1. If you have questions please contact my office at
Sincerely,
Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District
7th District Transportation Town Hall
Wednesday, June 18 from 6 - 7:00 p.m.
Thank You Transportation Advocates and Partners
Many community advocate organizations and non-profits have provided their expertise on the issue of public transit, I want to take a moment to call them out and thank them! I recommend you check them out if you are interested in how transit, transportation, and accessibility can be improved:
Active Transportation Alliance
Illinois Environmental Council
Metropolitan Planning Council
Urban Environmentalists Illinois
Bike Grid Now
Ride Illinois
Better Streets Chicago
Access Living
Gateway to Learning
Edgewater Environmental Coalition
Commuters Take Action
Sierra Club Chicago
Consulate General of the Netherlands
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter! If you ever want to reach out to our office, please call us at 773-769-1717, and we will respond promptly. We can also be reached at
