CHICAGO — State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. — the Senate’s chief budget negotiator — led efforts that allowed Illinois to repay the remaining $1.36 billion unemployment insurance Trust Fund debt.

“This plan was the right thing to do for businesses, labor organizations and everyday Illinoisans,” said Sims (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “I want people to know that if they need temporary help providing for their families, no matter the reason, Illinois has their back.”

The payment was made possible after a historic agreement was reached between the state, and representatives from business, labor, and bipartisan members of the General Assembly. Smart spending decisions and balanced budgets of recent years led by Sims put the state on track to be able to make the payment.

SPRINGFIELD – Millions of Illinoisans have now received over $1 billion in income and property tax rebates as part of the Illinois Senate Democrat-backed Illinois Family Relief Plan.

“We prioritized families struggling to make ends meet, the single mom worrying about how she’ll afford school supplies and child care, and the family who feels they can’t catch a break – and we put together a fiscally responsible, compassionate plan to signal to each of those families that their needs are what we are fighting for,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr., who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Illinois is paying its bills and we are fighting to help struggling families pay theirs as well.”

CHICAGO – To provide local residents with a one-stop shop to receive free health screenings and assistance from local elected officials, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is leading a Community Health Fair.

The Community Health Fair will take place Saturday, Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Jesse Owens Park, located at 8800 S. Clyde Ave. Participants will be able to receive free blood pressure, diabetes and vision screenings. State, local and city agencies will also be available to provide resources and information.

The fair is in partnership with Alderwoman Michelle Harris, Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore and State Representative Nicholas Smith. Attendees should bring a valid ID card in order to take advantage of some of the available resources.

CHICAGO – State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the nation’s top court overturned Roe v. Wade, stripping millions of women across the nation from their right to choose:

“Today is a devastating day for our country. Our worst fears are coming to pass as we see continued assaults on of our fundamental rights, all in an effort to forward a political agenda rooted in fear and opposed to progress. Although I’m not surprised by the ruling, I am speechless by the brazen way in which a fundamental right, the right to make one’s health care decisions, have been stripped away from women across our nation in support of a political agenda.

“While women in Illinois can take solace in knowing that our state respects their right to choose and has stood with them to protect this right, millions across our nation don’t have that same peace of mind. As a husband, father and community leader, this reality breaks my heart.

Sims champions law after death of Jelani Day

SPRINGFIELD — When Illinois State University student Jelani Day went missing, it took two weeks to find his body and another three weeks to identify his remains. This led State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) to champion a law signed Friday to allow county coroners and medical examiners to receive federal assistance in identifying missing persons.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) spearheaded a newly signed law which creates a hotline designed to receive reports from the public regarding potential self-harm or criminal acts directed at schools, students or school employees.

“Our number one job is to protect our state’s most vulnerable populations,” said Sims. “This program was introduced to keep our children and schools safe while providing help to those who are battling mental illness.”

Senate Bill 3936, an initiative of Illinois State Police, requires ISP to work collaboratively with the Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois State Board of Education and Department of Children and Family Services to provide support resources to students and teachers to prevent potential crisis situations.

The groups will work together to create a hotline to receive reports of potential self-harm and criminal acts directed at students and teachers. 

“We cannot wait for another tragic event to happen in our schools,” said Sims. “This is a key step in the intervention process that will not only protect our students from planned attacks but will also help improve police-community relations.” 

Senate Bill 3936 was signed into law on Friday, May 6.

SPRINGFIELD – For the third time in recent weeks and sixth time in under a year, Illinois saw new credit boost thanks to responsible spending plans spearheaded by Illinois Senate Democrats.

“When I look at the budget we passed last month, I see the work and years of fiscal responsibility paying off. We were able to pay down our bills and put money back in the pockets of the state’s hardworking families,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago), the Senate’s lead budget negotiator and Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Illinois is a stand-out state when it comes to putting the needs of our residents first – and we do so in a responsible, equitable way.”

Fitch Ratings on Thursday raised the state’s rating for general obligation bonds two notches. S&P Global Ratings on Friday upgraded the state’s rating two notches as well. Meanwhile, just weeks ago, Moody's Investors Service raised the rating as well – leading Illinois to receive two-notch bond rating upgrades from all three major credit rating agencies in the last year.

CHICAGO – For the fourth time in a year, Illinois has seen another improved bond rating. Fitch Ratings – one of the nation’s major credit rating agencies – announced upgrades Thursday thanks to the fiscally-responsible decisions made by Illinois Democrats.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) – who serves as the Senate’s lead budget negotiator and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee – released the following statement in response:

“When I look at the budget we passed last month, I see the work and years of fiscal responsibility paying off. We were able to pay down our bills and put money back in the pockets of the state’s hardworking families. Illinois is a stand-out state when it comes to putting the needs of our residents first – and we do so in a responsible, equitable way.

“Fitch’s two level rating upgrade shows our fiscally responsible budgeting approach is working and is independent proof that our state is headed in the right direction, our unemployment rate is down and we’ve added thousands of new jobs in key industries, like hospitality and professional services. Our future looks bright and I look forward to continued collaborative efforts with my colleagues to keep Illinois on this upward economic trajectory.”