SPRINGFIELD – Over one third of all Illinoisans are renters, and half pay more than 30% of their income toward rent. State Senator Mike Simmons is fighting for legislation that would ban junk fees, require transparency on housing fees in a lease, and regulate move-in fees charged to tenants.

“For rental tenants, fees can add up to hundreds of dollars a month, making even affordable units out of reach, which ultimately displaces people from our communities,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “We must protect tenants from egregious fees and predatory lease clauses.”

SPRINGFIELD – To provide the safest conditions possible for cyclists, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced legislation to update sign requirements on bike trails where there are known hazards.

“Improved signage around pathway hazards or emergencies is a simple way to keep everyone safe,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “When someone chooses to ride their bike, whether to commute or for enjoyment, they should be confident they are safe and protected.”

Under Simmons’ legislation, House Bill 2675, local government and municipality-owned bicycle trails must contain signage or other warning markers alerting cyclists to known emergencies or hazards. If a highway crossing is already controlled by a stop light or stop sign, additional crossing signage for cyclists would not be required.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons continued his push for a program that would provide free transit for anyone whose income is below 138% of the federal poverty level.

“While public transit fares may appear affordable to some, providing RTA free transit to low-income families and individuals directly benefits single parents and caregivers, people living with a disability, seniors, young people trying to start their career, and survivors of domestic violence,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Although CTA, Metra, and Pace have free and reduced fares, they are limited to seniors and people with disabilities. This bill increases eligibility so more folks can independently access doctor’s visits, mental health appointments, school commutes, provide care for family members, and run every day errands.”

Under Simmons’ legislation, Senate Bill 1388, the Regional Transit Authority, the Chicago Transit Authority, PACE and Metra would create a program to provide free transit to residents earning under 138% of the federal poverty level, or about $15,650 annually.

SPRINGFIELD – With lifesaving medication being one of the most effective means of preventing HIV diagnoses, State Senator Mike Simmons is proud to support the Illinois Department of Public Health’s initiative to allow Illinois residents to obtain HIV preventive medication known as PrEP directly from a pharmacist without requiring a doctor’s prescription.

“PrEP saves lives, and removing the prescription barrier means more people – especially in the LGBTQ+ community – will be provided with lifesaving care,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This is a major step forward in health equity in Illinois.” 

In June 2022, Simmons passed House Bill 4430 into law, which allows pharmacists to dispense and administer drugs, order laboratory tests, and consult individuals on HIV pre-exposure drugs and post-exposure drugs like PrEP.

SPRINGFIELD – An avid cyclist himself and supporter of bike riders, State Senator Mike Simmons passed two bills through the Senate that would remove current prohibitions on bicyclists in Illinois.

“Current rules prevent cyclists from doing what is safe in favor of what is required by law,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “We want to remove and clear up language surrounding bike riders to give all travelers better and safer options when cycling.”

Under the new legislation, Senate Bill 2111, bicyclists would be able to treat stop signs as yield signs only when it is safe to proceed if they give a signal, slow to a reasonable speed and yield to the right of way. This would not apply to railroad crossings or youth under age 18.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons is continuing his push to remove barriers to accessing housing and state resources for unhoused Illinoisans.

“Unhoused individuals often have no form of legal identification, affecting their housing, job prospects, transit options and more,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “To get an identification card, these individuals are required to have a signature from a notary, which comes at a cost. This legislation will ease the requirements to make the whole process easier.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons passed a bill through committee on Tuesday that would allow bicyclists to perform an Idaho Stop and safely move through intersections.

“Current rules of the road prevent cyclists from being able to safely react to traffic in an intersection,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This bill grants riders the ability to make the safest decision possible when approaching a stop sign.”

Under the new legislation, Senate Bill 2111, anyone operating a bicycle on the roadways of Illinois would have the ability to perform an Idaho stop.

SPRINGFIELD – To provide translation for the most commonly spoken languages in Illinois, State Senator Mike Simmons is pushing for legislation that would require state websites to engage automatic translation of the website into the 100 most commonly spoken languages in the state.

“Dozens of languages are commonly spoken in Illinois, and especially within the 7th District. Many state programs and resources are simply inaccessible due to language barriers, which in turn disenfranchises entire communities,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Translating state websites communicates the importance of being able to access information in a person’s native language, and increases the likelihood that people receive the help they need when turning to state resources.”