Newsletters

Dear Neighbors,

Last Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 6:30pm - 7:30pm, we held an End of Session Virtual Town Hall meeting! Those who attended heard from me and my team about legislative wins, budget updates, and upcoming outreach and district events. If you missed this town hall, we will be hosting a Travelling Town Hall on Friday, June 16th at 6:30pm at Spiteful Brewing Tap Room, 2024 W. Balmoral Ave, Chicago IL 60625.

For those who missed the event or would like to review it, you can watch the Town Hall recording .

Connecting with you, the constituents of the 7th District, is my top priority. I loved hearing your ideas, questions and concerns, and I cannot wait to hear from more of you in the future!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my district staff by calling 773-769-1717 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons

State Senator | 7th District

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

This week marks the last week of the First Session of the 103rd General Assembly and I am working hard to represent you in these final hours! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to advocate for issues that are important to you such as affordable housing, education, reproductive health, access to health care, sensible gun violence prevention, environmental advocacy, equitable and safe transportation, cooperative housing, and so much more. Each and every one of your phone calls, voicemails, emails, one-on-ones, and drop-ins are important to me.

Below you will find detailed legislative updates which include many bills that are true examples of what co-governing looks like.

I am personally proud to share that my bill, SB1282, which will require private and government provided insurance policies to cover liver disease screenings for high-risk individuals, has passed both chambers and awaits the Governor’s signature. I worked on this bill for many months over two legislative sessions and was glad to get it over the finish line! It will save lives right here in the 7th District.

Another bill of mine, SB 2013, which will require any state-funded residential building to meet minimum standard of living conditions such as requiring accessible air-conditioning, is also heading to the Governor’s desk. Another housing bill SB1484, which establishes a cooperative housing fund, has passed both chambers, as well as SB2278 which will make our roads safer for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit riders by removing rules that require roadways to accommodate semi-trucks.

Another bill SB1709 codifies a key requirement that two state agencies, Department of Human Services and the State Board of Education must provide technical assistance to K-12 schools lacking on-site mental health resources.

Lastly, I am excited that my bill, SB1892, to provide for auto-renewal of transit benefits for those living with disabilities and seniors has passed both chambers and also awaits the Governor’s signature. And my bill SB1864 that accelerates the timeline for the RTA public transit systems (including CTA, Metra, and Pace) to electrify their bus fleets was included in the transportation omnibus bill HB1392.

And just this week I filed SR294 which is a resolution that designates the month of May “Liver Diseases Awareness Month” in Illinois.

Additionally, 9 of my sponsored House bills have passed the Senate, and I have continued to fight for several appropriations and revenue bills. Read more about those below under legislative updates.

There is so much to share, so I encourage you to read all the good news below. I hope you will join me for my upcoming virtual end of session town hall next week on May 24th from 6:30-7:30pm. I am also looking forward to reconvening our People Legislative Council in early June, which will focus on individuals living with disabilities.

Last but not least, I’ll see you soon at upcoming district events, as well as our farmers markets, summer festivals, block parties, school events, and other community gatherings!

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons

State Senator | 7th District

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbor,

We just wrapped up a pivotal week in the State Senate. I am elated to announce that I passed SB689, the first bill in the country that outlaws local book banning in schools and libraries.

The legislation preempts school boards, districts, and library systems from banning books and includes protections for historically targeted communities.

As the first openly LGBTQ+ person in the Illinois Senate and our district’s first Black senator, this work is deeply personal to me and our community.

Watch my WGN-TV interview and read more about SB689 and other legislative updates below.

Our office also launched small business support initiatives and a monthly townhall series.

Sincerely,
Mike Simmons

State Senator | 7th District