SPRINGFIELD – Illinois residents will have more options when it comes to affordable housing through cooperative housing developments, thanks to State Senator Mike Simmons’ legislation that was signed into law.

“This law will create a Cooperative Housing Fund, which is an important step to ensuring everyone has access to affordable housing,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Housing is a human right, and living in good, decent, and stable housing is an option everyone should have.

This law will promote cooperative housing, a form of housing where entities own the residential building, but its residents are shareholders of the entity. Cooperative housing provides a viable alternative to homeownership for low- to middle-income earners who may not be able to buy a home, while adding a key affordable housing option to those who need it.

The Cooperative Housing Fund will be used by the Illinois Housing Development Authority to award up to $5 million in grants to organizations developing cooperative housing for residents with an income less than or equal to the median income within the municipality.

“Having a place to call your own and develop into a home is important for individuals and those who are raising a family,” Simmons said. “Cooperative housing is a great way to build community and foster a sense of stability for those needing housing. It also helps ensure that rapidly changing communities remain diverse and accessible to all.”

Senate Bill 1484 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – Coverage for preventative screenings for liver disease will be expanded thanks to a new law authored and championed by State Senator Mike Simmons.

“Often when it comes to liver disease, there are little to no symptoms for years until the disease is very advanced, so early detection can be vital to saving lives,” said Simmons (D- Chicago). “This law will help those who are both underinsured and at risk for liver disease.”

This new law requires Medicaid, private insurance plans and government employee insurance plans to cover preventative screenings for liver disease for individuals who are at high risk for liver disease, ages 35-65 years old. Those screenings can include high-quality preventative screenings such as liver ultrasounds, liver function tests, MRIs, and other screenings that can help with early detection and management of liver disease.

According to the CDC, in 2021, 56,585 adults in the U.S. died from liver disease, making it the ninth leading cause of death.

“The cost of any screening should never be a reason to forgo care — this law will help prevent deaths by making screenings more affordable,” said Simmons. “This is especially important for those struggling with substance abuse and addiction, as they are at an increased risk of developing liver disease. This law will provide equitable preventative health care for all Illinoisans.”

Senate Bill 1282 was signed into law Friday, June 6th, and applies to insurance plans entered into or renewed on or after Jan 1, 2025.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase young voter engagement, State Senator Mike Simmons secured passage of an elections bill that will allow 16-year-olds to pre-register to vote so they may start voting as soon as they turn 18.

“Encouraging youth to vote is vital to our democracy,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “The younger generations show again and again how engaged they are in social issues — allowing them to pre-register sends a message to youth that their voices are important and allows them to take that activism to the polls.”

Senate Bill 2123, allows an individual to pre-register to vote on or after turning 16 years old, with the registration on file with the appropriate election authority until the individual reaches 18 years old.

The bill includes other election-related provisions to increase voter turnout across Illinois. The bill establishes a task force to study the feasibility of adopting a ranked-choice voting system in certain elections, requires proposed Constitutional Amendments to be published in a newspaper’s digital equivalent, requires curbside voting at vote centers and counties with 500,000 or more residents to have at least two vote centers, and creates the Security of Remote Vote by Mail Task Force.

“This broad piece of legislation addresses many issues within our election system and will help make it easier for more people to vote,” Simmons said. “I am proud to be a part of its passage and to be from a state that continues to make it easier for people to vote, not harder.” 

Senate Bill 2123 passed both chambers and now heads to the governor for final approval.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) and State Representative Kelly M. Cassidy (D-Chicago) issued the following joint statement after Target announced it would be removing certain Pride merchandise after employees claimed the items threatened their sense of safety following customer interactions:

“Target has sold and marketed Pride products for years, no doubt profiting well from their efforts. To pull these very products from their shelves in response to acts of bigotry, violence, and threats against the LGBTQ+ community is an act of cowardice. As the General Assembly’s only two openly LGBTQ+ legislators, we refuse to sit idly by as one of the country’s largest retailers fails to stand in solidarity for our rights.

“One of our country's largest big-box retailers, Target, has removed certain Pride Month products from its shelves and moved others to the back of its stores citing threats, vandalism and unsafe workplace conditions due to confrontation and backlash from patrons. 

“Target had an opportunity to stand in support with the LGBTQ+ community and denounce bigotry within its stores. By moving merchandise marketed to LGBTQ+ communities to the margins of their stores, it sends the wrong message to our communities and to those who are pushing hate and violence in oppressing the rights and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community.

“We will not be moved to the back of the store. We will not be hidden in the shadows. We will not be intimidated by those who threaten violence or by those who cannot accept this simple truth — all humans are equal. To our LGBTQ+ communities - as we enter into the month of June, hold your head high, be proud of who you are, and know that we have your back.”