CHICAGO – To build a dialogue with the people he represents in order to better serve them while in Springfield, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) is hosting a series of people’s councils over the next several months.

“I want residents of the 7th District to be at the center of my legislative work. These councils will provide a safe space for them to speak about their day to day struggles and work with me to build out a set of people-led policy priorities I can act on in the legislature,” Simmons said. “My goal is to demystify the work of the General Assembly for residents who historically have not had access to government and empower them to see themselves in this work.”

At the councils, Simmons will meet with everyday people from different groupings to discuss the issues important to them. The first council, which took place Wednesday, featured single moms.

“The moms spoke about the systemic barriers they navigate in accessing housing, being actively involved with their children’s educations, and accessing responsive wraparound social services, among other topics,” Simmons said. “We talked about what government looks like in the context of their daily lives and how our office can make it better serve them.”

In total, nine groups will have featured councils: single moms, long-time 7^th District residents, older adults, reentering citizens, LGBTQIA individuals, young adults, undocumented immigrants, mom and pop small business owners, and individuals living with disabilities.

“This is a great opportunity to learn directly from the people I represent what matters most to them and hear where their needs are greatest. Then, I can fight for them in Springfield,” Simmons said. “I want our district office to be a welcoming environment for all residents of the communities I represent, which is why I’m happily inviting residents to come participate in these legislative councils.”

The legislative councils will convene at Simmons’ district office, located at 5533 N. Broadway. For more information about the councils, including how to participate, contact Simmons’ district office at 773-769-1717.

CHICAGO – Last week, Gov. JB Pritzker announced funding for equity-focused health care collaboratives across Illinois. The Chicago North Side Collaborative will help increase health care equity for lower-income and BIPOC residents in the area – particularly in the LGBTQ and Asian American communities.

“This initiative should help provide more 7th District residents with a pathway to specialty care who otherwise have been very poorly served by our healthcare system,” said State Senator Mike Simmons, who represents much of the collaborative’s coverage area. “This collaborative is intended to help ensure more residents get the full scope of care that they need. I look forward to seeing how these partnerships work over the coming months and years to start closing the gaps in access to specialty care for our residents who need much better and more comprehensive treatment than they have received.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons, a Chicago Democrat who is the first openly gay member of the Illinois State Senate, was joined by community leaders, organizations, activists, and advocates to host a Pride Month reflection press conference Friday afternoon.

“This is a very special Pride Month, since it is the first I am celebrating as the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Illinois Senate,” Simmons said. “We have had a lot of wins in the fight for LGBTQ+ people, but there is still a lot more urgent and important work that needs to be done. It’s an honor to be here today with all of these amazing advocates and leaders as we continue the fight for justice for LGBTQ+ people and for queer liberation.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) released the following statement after Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years for the 2020 murder of George Floyd:

“There is no amount of prison time that could have brought justice to George Floyd or to the family that he was stolen from. 

“Furthermore, one police officer facing accountability for murdering an unarmed Black man does not erase countless similar tragedies that have occurred and continue to happen with numbing frequency. It’s time for active allyship from those who hold power and privilege to agitate for systemic changes right now that bring integrity to our systems that regularly steal Black lives away from us.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) is partnering with Gerber/Hart Library and Archives Friday to host a Pride Month Reflection press conference.

Simmons, who is the first openly gay member of the Illinois State Senate, will be joined by representatives from Gerber/Hart and several other Chicago-based LGBTQA+ advocacy and support groups to reflect on Pride Month, recognize and acknowledge the hard work of advocates, honor and lift up survivors of violence, and discuss the progress that has been made and the work that remains to be done.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) issued the following statement today on the passage of a balanced state budget:

“It’s good that the General Assembly came together to pass a budget that meets the immediate needs of the communities across the state in areas of violence reduction, affordable housing, education and health, and ensures we strengthen child care.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) joined 49 other members of the General Assembly in sending a letter to the legislative leadership calling for action on climate change that includes equity opportunities for a diverse workforce.

“Our energy policy must rectify the injustices of climate change, honor the rights of consumers, and ensure a greener future,” Simmons said. “It should not simply be more handouts for utility companies. I am proud to stand with my colleagues to call for these reforms.”

SPRINGFIELD – An antiquated part of the criminal code that penalizes Illinoisans living with human immunodeficiency virus would be repealed under a measure co-sponsored in the Senate by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago), which cleared its final vote in the General Assembly Tuesday.

“The law this measure repeals is a relic of homophobia,” Simmons said. “HIV is an illness that must be treated, not stigmatized. The Senate did the right thing today by passing this measure, and I urge Gov. Pritzker to act quickly to sign it.”

House Bill 1063 repeals the portion of the criminal code that gives prosecutors the ability to charge people living with HIV with a Class 2 Felony for having consensual sex, sharing needles, or donating organs or bodily tissues and fluids. HIV is currently the only communicable disease subject to such criminalization.

“The fact that no other condition is treated this way under the law should tell everyone all they need to know about the motivations behind criminalizing HIV positivity,” Simmons said. 

The Senate passed House Bill 1063 on Tuesday. It awaits the governor’s signature to become law.