CHICAGO – In celebration of the elimination of cash bail in Illinois, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“Today we finally take the long-overdue step toward dismantling systemic racism and eliminating the practices which have created barriers to opportunities and obstacles to prosperity for far too long. Illinois continues to show the rest of the nation that monumental change is possible to make the criminal legal system fair, equitable and just for all.

“Finally, being poor is not a crime and will never be the sole reason a person remains incarcerated as they await their trial.

“We can take pride in the fact that Illinois has reformed its criminal legal system while focusing on community safety, combatting disparities, and removing wealth from decisions that should be about public safety. As much as we have achieved, more work is still ahead. Our work continues.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. worked to protect the freedoms of incarcerated individuals by enshrining into law their rights to freely practice their religion.

“When someone commits a crime, they do not cease to be human,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Religious freedom is a fundamental aspect of humanity.”

House Bill 3055 — known as the Faith Behind Bars Act — ensures incarcerated individuals in Illinois remain the right to freely practice their religion while in state correctional facilities.

Under the law, correctional facilities will be required to provide people with religious readings and other religious materials that may be necessary for them to freely practice. It also requires correctional facilities to allow individuals a proper place to pray and adhere to people’s religious dietary restrictions.

“Religion plays an important role in easing a prisoner’s transition back into the community upon release,” said Sims. “Incarcerated individuals deserve to be able to turn to their faith during a time they need it most.”

House Bill 3055 was signed into law Friday.

SPRINGFIELD – The state’s Rainy Day Fund has reached historic levels of over $2 billion thanks to the responsible fiscal leadership of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.

“When I first joined the Senate in 2018, our state’s Rainy Day Fund was depleted, we had billions of dollars in unpaid bills and we were facing immense financial strains,” said Majority Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “Thanks to five consecutive balanced budgets, paying down our bills and making a number of smart spending decisions, Illinois now stands with the best fiscal footing it has seen in years. We’re better equipped than ever to handle a fiscal emergency. We will continue to be good stewards of the resources taxpayers trust to us, while setting Illinois up for long-term fiscal success.”

This week, the final deposit of the Fiscal Year 2023 budget was made to the Rainy Day Fund – bringing the FY 23 deposits to $1.18 billion – just as the Fiscal Year 2024 budget is set to begin, which will deposit an additional $138 million.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is fighting to end youth solitary confinement – leading to better outcomes for children who are detained.

“Sadly, across the nation, young people are unjustly held in solitary confinement, spending 22 hours alone or more each day,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “That is inhumane and can cause grave psychological, physical and developmental harm.”

Sims’ measure would prohibit the use of solitary confinement on young detainees in detention centers for any purpose other than preventing immediate physical harm.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. joined the Alliance for Safety and Justice Team to push for commonsense solutions to public safety at a rally Thursday.

“I see so many times across my community the pain – the extraordinary pain – that individuals feel because they are suffering from loss,” Sims told nearly 250 advocates at the Capitol. “Enough is enough. We are far too tired of being sick and tired.”

The Chicago Democrat and hundreds of local crime victims joined forces to speak for the need to make communities safer. Aside from the rally in the rotunda, many advocates met with a number of Senators and Representatives to outline their ideas for public safety solutions that stop the cycle of crime.

SPRINGFIELD – If a store closes due to bankruptcy or other shortcomings, customers who have credit cards with the company would not be negatively impacted under legislation being led by State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

“A person’s credit score follows them everywhere,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “One credit card mishap can take years to recover from. Consumers must be protected.”

Under Senate Bill 2121, if a customer’s credit account is closed due to the business closing or inactivity on the account, the business must notify credit reporting agencies of the reasoning so it is not assumed the customer failed to pay the balance of the account.

SPRINGFIELD – For the seventh time in less than two years, Illinois has seen another improved bond rating. S&P Global Ratings – one of the nation’s major rating agencies – announced upgrades Thursday thanks to the fiscally responsible decisions made by Illinois Democrats.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. – the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader – released the following statement:

“Today’s news is yet another sign the years of fiscal responsibility from the General Assembly is paying off. In recent years, we have been able put money back in the pockets of the state’s hardworking families and provide funding for the people who need the most help – all while paying down our bill backlog. Illinois is a standout state when it comes to putting the needs of our residents first, and we do so in a responsible and equitable way.

CHICAGO – Thanks to money secured by State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. through the Rebuild Illinois capital program, $40 million is coming to the area to attract new businesses and spur more economic growth in Chicago’s South Side, as well as secure new jobs for the surrounding communities.

“We talk about the rising tide lifting all boats, and the work we are doing to put Illinois on the right financial path is allowing local communities to thrive economically because of those efforts,” said State Senator Elgie Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago).

The $40 million available grant will supercharge the development of megasites -- large, developed sites ready for occupancy for manufacturers, distribution centers, industrial centers, and more. Grants are available ranging from $250,000 to $5 million, and underserved areas will be prioritized.