Newsletters

Hello Neighbors!

We are in the midst of the fall veto legislative session. I am working to secure final passage of my Senate Bill 689 that prohibits schools from banning books in classrooms and school curricula. It also outlaws book banning in privately funded libraries or those not receiving state grants.

As a recap, my bill cleared the Senate in the spring and awaits approval in the House. The Yorkville Board of Education banned “Just Mercy” in August, and we are seeing more people running for school boards in the suburbs on an explicit agenda to ban books by and about LGBTQ+ and Black communities.

My bill includes specific protections for these categories and other commonly targeted areas including race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, religion and faith background, reproductive health, sexual health, memoirs and autobiographies. This issue affects many people in our community, and these protections are central to our democracy.

Caption: Members of the Illinois Senate, including Senator Mike Simmons, wear pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Last week, the Senate passed a bill requiring school districts and other state-run facilities to contract with vendors to provide kosher and halal food options. I strongly supported the original bill in the spring and am glad to see Senate Bill 457 move forward with support from stakeholders and the governor.

Concerning energy policy, I voted “no” last spring on House Bill 3445 , which would grant downstate electric utilities the “right of first refusal” for transmission line construction, allowing a near monopoly on projects. I was glad the governor vetoed it, and the House did not move to override the veto this fall session.

Read on for key updates, including an upcoming senior event, a visit to the National Public Housing Museum, public service awards, and recent district highlights.

Sincerely,

Senator Mike Simmons
7th Senate District

Upcoming District Event

Advocacy and Fraud Protection for Seniors Workshop

CALLING ALL SENIORS! Join me and the Attorney General’s Office this Friday, Nov. 3 from 10–11 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, located at 4550 N. Hermitage Ave. (near Wilson and Ashland), for an Advocacy and Fraud Protection for Seniors Workshop.

This event will provide tools and resources for fraud prevention and protection for seniors in our community. For questions, contact our district office or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To read the full newsletter .

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

I wanted to fire off a special edition newsletter with some new and interesting content. First, I had the chance to do an in-depth interview about my 7th District youth-inspired legislation that will soon create the first statewide youth mental health policy council. See the link to the full interview below.

I also participated in a Chicago Tribune series profiling Illinois’s role in the Underground Railroad. It is compelling that so many brave individuals fled slavery and found freedom through Illinois. A branch of my own family on my mother’s side was living in Michigan as early as 1846 and likely participated in this history. See below for the full story.

Lastly, you’ll see a graphic below for our next traveling office hours event at Senn High School on Oct. 3. This time we will be curating the town hall for 7th District youth. Enjoy the newsletter and have a safe weekend!

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons

State Senator | 7th District

Senator Simmons Discusses Youth Mental Health on Outside the Loop Radio

Caption: Senator Simmons interviewed by Outside the Loop Radio discussing youth mental health.

I recently spoke with Outside the Loop Radio to discuss youth mental health in Illinois and Senate Bill 4028 .

The legislation requires schools to teach students how and where to access mental health resources and establishes a statewide Student Mental Health Council including youth ages 14–25 from diverse backgrounds.

Listen to the full interview (segment begins at 16:05)

Underground Railroad in Illinois
Chicago Tribune feature by Darcel Rockett

Caption: Underground Railroad historic sites across Illinois (Chicago Tribune / Terrence Antonio James).

Excerpt from the Chicago Tribune feature highlighting Senator Mike Simmons’ reflections on Illinois’ Underground Railroad history.

Recognition of Illinois’ role in the Underground Railroad is long overdue. It is a deep honor to contribute to this work highlighting the untold stories of Black communities and freedom seekers.

Read the full article: Chicago Tribune Underground Railroad feature

Calling All Youth: Traveling Office Hours at Senn High School

Join me on Tuesday, October 3 from 4–5 PM at Senn High School for Traveling Office Hours focused on youth voices across the 7th District.

We want to hear from students of all ages about their concerns and ideas for the future of Illinois.

Thank you for reading. If you would like to reach our office, please call 773-769-1717 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you enjoy these recent updates from me and our district team. August was a remarkable month where I joined Vice President Kamala Harris in Chicago with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, Students Demand Action and hundreds of organizers from around the country who are fighting for sensible gun laws. This rally was held on the same day that the Illinois Supreme Court narrowly voted to uphold the assault weapons ban I strongly supported and helped to pass in January.

I also am proud that my team and I organized and held a Back to School Bash at Sullivan High School where hundreds of people from across our district showed up to get colorful backpacks, supplies, local food, and connected with me and other folks from the neighborhood. We also connected attendees with state services.

During last week’s heatwave, we visited senior buildings across the district to do wellness checks and make sure folks know we’re here for them. Remember, if you or your neighbor is experiencing difficulty during a weather event, feel free to call me and my staff at 773-769-1717 and we will try to connect you with the right assistance.

This weekend I’ll be hosting our second annual “Chalk It Up” event at Whyte Park on Howard Street in Rogers Park, where community members can come and enjoy food, music, and draw a flag (or flags) on the ground that represent who they are as we celebrate the multiculturalism and diversity of the far north side. This is a unique, feel good community-building event and I hope you will stop by and say hi.

Read on for legislative updates and more community updates. See you soon!

Sincerely,
Mike Simmons

State Senator | 7th District

Legislative Updates

Caption: Senator Mike Simmons joins gun violence prevention advocates at an event with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Caption: Senator Mike Simmons and Moms Demand Action join Vice President Kamala Harris for gun violence prevention advocacy.

To continue building safer communities and promoting gun-violence prevention, I attended a gun safety event with Vice President Kamala Harris in Chicago in tandem with the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold the Assault Weapon Ban.

Earlier this year, I co-sponsored and helped pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which outlaws assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in Illinois.

As Vice President Harris said during our afternoon of advocacy, “We don’t have another moment or life to spare.”

Joined by colleagues across many states, I also spoke with White House and Department of Justice officials about the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

In other news, I secured over $2 million for pedestrian infrastructure projects in the 7th District.

Finally, public schools in our district will receive allocations from $23 million in evidence-based funding.

Senator Mike Simmons In the News

• Crain’s Chicago Business: “Towns could opt out of Illinois rent control ban under proposed law”
• State Journal-Register: “Thousands of jobs, pennies on the dollar: Illinois prison labor”
• The Daily Line: “Lawmakers pushing legislation to give convicted prisoners voting rights”
• Chicago Tribune: “Transit permits for seniors and people with disabilities drop sharply”
• BollyInside: “Proposed law allows towns to opt out of Illinois rent control ban”

Back to School Bash at Sullivan High School

My staff and I kicked off the school year with a Back to School Bash, where we passed out over 250 backpacks filled with school supplies at Sullivan High School.

To read my full newsletter click here .

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

I am happy to announce that work on my district office is now complete! We made some changes that I believe will make the space even more welcoming for constituents, including an outside space for folks to meet and enjoy the warm weather. Please stop by and say hello soon. We are here for you.

In other updates, I tested positive for COVID-19 last week and had to quarantine and spend a few days recovering. I want to encourage everyone to keep healthy in the weeks ahead, and remember to follow health department guidelines if you feel ill or think you may have had a recent exposure. Free testing is available at many local stores and pharmacies. As always, feel free to call my office if you need help finding healthcare or lack a primary health care home. We will help guide you.

On another topic, I have great news: I passed a youth mental health bill last year, Senate Bill 4028 that creates the first statewide Student Mental Health Council. I encourage young people aged 14–25 to apply for the council before the Sept. 22 deadline.

A handful more of my bills were signed into law recently. Read on for details on those as well as key community updates and new resources.

Finally, a huge THANK YOU to our summer interns Ochii, Justin, and Byron who are wrapping up their internships soon.

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

Legislative Updates

Caption: Senator Mike Simmons led passage of three bills signed into law this July.

This month, several bills I authored and supported were signed into law, including Senate Bill 1710 and Senate Bill 2014.

Additionally, I helped advance multiple House Bills through the Senate, including House Bill 2131, House Bill 1342, House Bill 2297, and House Bill 3631.

Bike and pedestrian safety improvements: Senate Bill 2014 improves coordination of bike and pedestrian safety upgrades during state road maintenance projects.

Warning signs on bike trails: Senate Bill 1710 adds advance warning signage near bike crossings to improve safety.

Public transportation improvements: House Bill 1342 expands transit accessibility, youth programs, and service improvements.

Zero Traffic Fatalities Task Force: House Bill 2131 creates a task force to reduce traffic fatalities statewide.

Inclusive workforce policy: House Bill 2297 improves inclusion tracking for state workforce diversity.

Pharmacy protections: House Bill 3631 protects pharmacists who report legal violations.

Senator Mike Simmons In the News

• Crain’s Chicago Business coverage on rent control policy discussions
• State Journal-Register reporting on Illinois prison labor system
• The Daily Line coverage of prisoner voting rights legislation
• Chicago Tribune reporting on transit accessibility for seniors and disabled riders

Senator Mike Simmons’ Updates

Portrait by Megan Williamson – “ZOOM”

Caption: Portrait of Senator Mike Simmons, painted by Megan Williamson for her solo exhibit “Zoom.”

I am honored to be featured in artist Megan Williamson’s solo exhibit “Zoom,” on display at the Swope Art Museum in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Illinois Launches the First Statewide Student Mental Health Council

Senate Bill 4028 created a statewide Student Mental Health Council to elevate youth voices in mental health policy.

Applications are now open for the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership Youth Council.

Read the full newsletter