SPRINGFIELD – To help returning citizens reintegrate successfully into their communities and reduce recidivism, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced legislation out of the House on May 17.

“Returning citizens deserve the same rights and opportunities of every other individual,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Regardless of past mistakes or decisions, everyone deserves a second chance to establish stability in their life and take care of basic human needs, such as finding gainful employment, housing and health care before owing fees from prior criminal proceedings.”

SPRINGFIELD – To increase the safety of pedestrians and cyclists following a fatal cyclist accident in the 7th District, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced multiple measures out of both chambers.

“People using alternative forms of transportation, whether it’s children going for a bike ride with friends or an employee biking to work to save on gas, should know they are just as safe and secure as those traveling by car,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Requiring crossing signs on bike trails and roadways is a common-sense action we can take to keep everyone safer.”

Senate Bill 1710 expands the responsibility of any entity that owns a bike trail, requiring them to erect permanent signs along the path warning pedestrians and cyclists of a vehicle crossing at least 250 feet before the crossing. Simmons brought forth this measure after a cyclist on a bike trail was hit by a car when crossing a busy street. The intent of this bill is to ensure cyclists on a trail have ample warning to know when to slow down and stop before a busy intersection. 

Senate Bill 2014 requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to develop a policy which ensures the safety of pedestrians and cyclists on roadways in Illinois. The policy will require that improvements — such as high-visibility signage, crosswalk upgrades, curb bump outs, barrier-protected bike lanes and bus shelters — are made during routine maintenance and within 500 feet of the maintenance work to any state roads located within a municipality.

“Biking along a path or road can be stressful enough when worrying about oncoming cars, especially for parents biking with their children,” Simmons said. “These initiatives will help ensure bike and pedestrian safety improvements are completed in tandem with routine work such as pothole or street lighting repairs.”

Having passed both chambers of the General Assembly, Senate Bill 1710 and Senate Bill 2014 will be sent to the governor for final approval.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure Chicago residents are notified of lead service line replacements and have access to a clean water supply, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced a bill out of the Senate Thursday.

“Replacing lead pipes in our communities is about doing right by our Chicago residents,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “People need to know when improvements are being made that affect their water supply, especially anything involving the removal of lead pipes.”

House Bill 2776 requires that, in addition to a written notice, a community water supply operator must send a notice via email to property owners and occupants of buildings affected by lead service line replacements, and requires the City of Chicago to publicly post data on their website on the progress of replacing lead service lines.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Mike Simmons advanced a measure to provide safer heating and cooling standards for homes in 55 and up communities.

“Every resident in our state should live with the confidence that their housing conditions are safe,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “It is our responsibility to ensure our older resident neighbors, both in the 7th District and across the state, live in safe and humane housing conditions.” 

House Bill 2562 would create heating and cooling standards for properties that limit their ownership, rental and occupancy to people 55 years old or older.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons advanced a measure to protect minors who are survivors of human trafficking, and other trauma-related factors, from being tried as adults in a number of criminal court cases.

“Survivors of human trafficking should be provided support and empathy,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “For decades our court systems have failed our youth. It is especially shocking and defies logic that youth who have been forced into abusive relationships and who have been traumatized end up being tried as felons. Trying survivors who are defending themselves while escaping their abusers adds to the trauma they’ve experienced. This is not a humane or civil response to a child who has experienced horrific abuse.”

Inspired by a survivor of child trafficking, Sara Kruzan, who was released and pardoned after being sentenced to life at 17 years of age, House Bill 3414 would reform the justice system to clarify whether a minor should be tried as an adult if the crime the minor commits is against someone who was convicted of human trafficking or of a sex crime targeting the minor within the last three years. If that is the case, the court would be able to transfer them to juvenile court.

SPRINGFIELD – To strengthen marriage equality for same-sex couples looking to get married in Illinois, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced a bill from the Senate on Thursday.

“There have been attacks on same-sex couples and marriages all across the nation, and the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision to repeal Roe v. Wade has raised questions of the court’s intention to undermine Obergefell v. Hodges, which protects same-sex couples’ right to marry,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This bill will protect same-sex marriages in Illinois and help same-sex couples in other states coming to Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – To prioritize gender inclusivity across the state of Illinois and within state agencies, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced two House Bills out of the Senate on Thursday.

“Everyone deserves to be addressed and represented with the pronouns they use and prefer, especially by their state agencies and laws,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “These bills will ensure the language we use in state statutes and codes is inclusive of all identities, and will quantify non-binary and gender non-conforming people accurately within the state workforce.”

House Bill 1596 changes various public acts concerning children to contain more inclusive language, such as changing certain pronouns to general nouns or the nouns to which the pronouns refer, and replacing "biological" family or parent with "birth" family or parent.

SPRINGFIELD – To discuss a state-wide child tax credit and SNAP reimbursements to victims of fraud, State Senator Mike Simmons participated in subject matter hearings in the Senate Revenue and Appropriations – Health and Human Services Committees.

“Subject matter hearings are an important part of the legislative process,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Working families need economic relief now, and a permanent child tax credit answers that need. This step would benefit nearly half of Illinois households or 1.5 million children. Victims of SNAP fraud need those funds reimbursed to make up for missed benefits and to help with their ongoing struggles as food insecurity is only increasing right now. I was proud to represent these important issues in these hearings.” 

Simmons presented two pieces of legislation: Senate Bill 1444 and Senate Bill 1811. Subject matter hearings on appropriations and revenue matters help inform deliberations as the final Fiscal Year 24 budget is crafted in the coming weeks. 

Senate Bill 1444 would create an Illinois Child Tax Credit for eligible low- and middle-income families. Families would receive a $700 tax credit for each child under the age of 17. The policy proposed would benefit joint filers earning less than $75,000 and single filers earning less than $50,000.

Senate Bill 1811 requires the Illinois Department of Human Services to replace SNAP benefits for those whose benefits were stolen via card skimming, card cloning or other similar methods. The replacement must come within 14 days.

For more information on the bills Simmons is sponsoring and where they are in the legislative process, visit here.