Caption: State Senator Mike Simmons addresses fellow legislative leaders.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – State Senator Mike Simmons traveled to the White House on Wednesday morning to meet with the Biden-Harris Administration and state leaders from across the country to discuss action that can be taken to increase access to high quality, affordable child care for working families.

“I grew up in a household where I saw firsthand the struggle single moms go through to ensure their kids are cared for while they work and attend school to advance their careers,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “In my people’s legislative council for single moms from my district, our 7th district moms talked openly about how hard it is for them to find good child care that they can afford and rely on. They also talked about the need for paid time off to tend to their children’s needs.

I am proud of the work that’s being done in Illinois, including co-leading the fight to create a permanent child tax credit for Illinois parents and reimbursing parents who’ve had their SNAP benefits stolen. I am thrilled to meet with the White House and legislative colleagues from around the country to brainstorm legislative proposals and underscore the critical role of child care to community well-being. This is hugely important work for the humanity of children, moms and dads, extended families, and caregivers. Providing high quality, affordable child care is the right move to support a strong local economy and build strong communities.”

Simmons joined senior White House officials, as well as state leaders and legislators from across the country to discuss policies that support the affordability, quality, and supply of child care. Simmons has been a fierce champion for working families with a track record of fighting for a permanent state-level child tax credit, and successfully advocating for the recently enacted paid leave policy for working-class families. The Biden-Harris Administration has long highlighted the need for a better approach to child care, and the president’s budget reaffirmed his commitment to transforming child care and reducing child care costs for working families.

“Child care is critical for families’ financial stability and for the sustainability of the country’s economy,” Simmons said. “Even when families are able to find child care, it is often not affordable. We must provide our families with solutions at all levels of government to ensure that now, and for generations to come, families live abundant lives, free from the stress of the inability to afford one of their most basic expenses.”

The White House States Convening on Child Care took place Wednesday, July 19. Watch the livestream recap here.

SPRINGFIELD – Local governments will not compromise driver or pedestrian safety in order to accommodate large trucks on non-designated highways thanks to a new law advocated for by State Senator Mike Simmons.

“Widening intersections to accommodate larger trucks takes away space that can be used for bike lanes, pedestrian walkways and green space,” Simmons said (D-Chicago). “This law will ensure these bike lanes, walkways and open spaces will remain available to community residents to use and enjoy.”

The new law provides that an agency or local government will not be required to design, construct, widen or alter a non-designated highway to accommodate trucks between 55 and 65 feet in length. Additionally, a local government will be required to report to the Illinois Department of Transportation any limitations that prohibit the operation of vehicles on non-designated highways and any non-designated highway that is not designed or constructed after Jan. 1, 2023 to accommodate trucks between 55 and 65 feet in length.

“Highway construction can be time-consuming, dangerous and significantly impact traffic flow,” Simmons said. “This law will allow local governments to avoid such a big undertaking by not requiring them to change their non-designated highways to accommodate larger trucks and vehicles.”

Senate Bill 2278 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons championed a new law to expand support for returning citizens to help them reintegrate successfully into their communities and reduce recidivism.

“Returning residents deserve the opportunity to stabilize their lives upon returning to their communities,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Hitting them with outstanding fees and dues immediately following their return is not feasible and often leads to increased recidivism.”

Senate Bill 2175 prohibits courts from ordering the payment of outstanding fees, fines, taxes or any costs arising from criminal proceedings for the first year after a person returns from incarceration. Currently, Illinois does not have a law striking fees for a certain amount of days post-confinement. However, under the Unified Code of Corrections, the court may revoke a fine if good cause is shown.

“Recidivism reduction is doable, we just need to reform our laws to support the rehabilitation of our formerly incarcerated citizens,” Simmons said. “This law will serve as an intervention to reduce recidivism by offering reasonable payment requirements for formerly incarcerated individuals.”

Senate Bill 2175 was signed into law on Friday.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons assures an increase in the availability and accessibility of mental health resources for students following the signing of Senate Bill 1709.

“Unfortunately, we have seen in increase in young people struggling with their mental health, and they do not have access to the supportive resources they need,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Especially in our minority and marginalized communities, young people are at higher risk for mental health difficulties due to factors beyond their control.”

Under this new law, the Illinois Department of Human Services and the State Board of Education will provide technical assistance for mental health care during school days to help increase the access students have to mental health services.

This initiative complements the recently launched Illinois Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative, specifically recommendation five in the report, by identifying and filling in gaps that exist in school-based mental health care. 

“We have a responsibility to our youth to create an environment where young people can thrive, and that includes addressing their unmet mental health needs,” Simmons said. “By strengthening school-based mental health programs, we are able to fill in those gaps.”

Senate Bill 1709 was signed into law on Friday.