SPRINGFIELD – Senator Simmons passed SB3361 out of committee on Tuesday, a bill that would expand on his 2022 Jett Hawkins Act to include protections for religious hairstyles in public schools throughout the state.

“Jett Hawkins was 4 years old when I passed this law to protect any child and student who chose to wear their hair in a style that is traditionally non-white,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Today, it is necessary to add to this law by including protections for hairstyles and facial hair that reflect religious expression and continue supporting inclusion in education across Illinois.”

Simmons’ legislation, Senate Bill 3361, would require private, nonreligious schools to affirm they will not prohibit religious hairstyles or hair-related religious practices, including facial hair worn pursuant to a student’s or employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs, in order to register with the Illinois State Board of Education.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons held a press conference Wednesday with Senate colleagues to champion legislation he has filed to protect SNAP recipients from fraud as well as regulate payday advance services.

“My colleagues and I are determined to pass legislation that protects SNAP recipients,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “The Trump administration has slashed federal support for SNAP, which puts more people at risk of going hungry and not being able to feed their families. Illinois needs to take action to protect SNAP from fraud and prevent further hardship.”

Simmons outlined Senate Bill 3266, which would require the Illinois Department of Human Services to implement the use of chip-enabled cards for electronic benefit systems. This would allow SNAP participants using EBT cards to use chip readers in their transactions. In 2024, over 89,000 fraudulent transactions involving SNAP benefits were reported to IDHS. Simmons’ proposal to add electronic chips to EBT cards aims to safeguard the benefits on those cards, directly reducing fraud.

SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to steadfast advocacy from State Senator Mike Simmons to ease financial strain and promote economic stability, more than 500,000 residents across the state have had their medical debt erased. 

“Far too many people — particularly those living on fixed or limited incomes — put their health on the back burner because of costs,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “We have a responsibility to protect those people and ensure financial burden never stands between someone and the care they need.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the governor’s joint State of the State and Budget Address on Wednesday:

“The governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget is a good starting point for conversation. As always, I will not support any cuts to vital human services and look forward to a final budget that fully protects people across Illinois who are struggling.

“I am encouraged to see $15 million proposed for the continuation of the medical debt relief program I led in the Senate that has already erased $1.1 billion in medical debt for 500,000 households.