SPRINGFIELD – In response to devastating cuts to essential programs by the federal administration, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. led a measure to decouple Illinois tax policy from harmful federal changes and protect the state's Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

"While the federal administration carelessly slashes funding for programs that Illinois families depend on, we refuse to let their recklessness blow a hole in our state budget," said Sims (D-Chicago). "This measure is about protecting Illinois taxpayers and ensuring we can continue funding schools, health care and vital services despite the chaos coming from the federal government."

SPRINGFIELD – Marking a significant step forward in criminal justice reform, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. led a transformative approach to providing second chances while maintaining critical public safety protections.

"The Clean Slate Act is about creating pathways to opportunity for people who have earned a second chance," said Sims (D-Chicago). "By automating the sealing process for eligible records, we're removing unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles that keep people from finding employment, securing housing, and fully reintegrating into their communities. At the same time, we've been deliberate in maintaining strong public safety protections and ensuring law enforcement has the access they need."

SPRINGFIELD – For the 10^th time in less than five years, Illinois has seen another improved bond rating. Moody’s Investors Service – one of the nation’s major rating agencies – announced upgrades Thursday thanks to the fiscally responsible decisions made by state democrats. 

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

“The 10^th rating upgrade is yet another sign the years of fiscal discipline and responsibility from the General Assembly is paying off. In recent years, we have been able to put money back in the pockets of the state’s hardworking families, provide funding for the people who need the most help and pay down the state’s bill backlog – all while dealing with economic uncertainty created by a hostile federal government. 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 – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. celebrated the start of the school year by highlighting prioritized investments into education – from securing greater teacher opportunities to enhancing infrastructure.

"Today is a culmination of our commitment to investing in both our students' education and their health,” said Sims (D-Chicago) “Illinois' record investments in our schools are paying dividends across our communities.”

Sims was joined by State Superintendent of Public Education Dr. Tony Sanders and Governor JB Pritzker at Wagoner Elementary School in Community Consolidated Schools District 168 in Sauk Village Friday to tout Illinois’ leadership in education.

CHICAGO – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. — the lead sponsor of the SAFE-T Act —released the following statement after the president falsely attacked Illinois’ nation-leading measure to end cash bail:

“The president’s misguided attacks on Illinois’ elimination of cash bail are par for the course. When he doesn’t want to answer for his administration’s mounting failures, he reverts to his usual playbook: distraction, denial and diversion.

Illinois is seeing positive results. According to the Illinois State Police, both violent and property crimes have decreased since the end of cash bail. The nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice also found no statistically significant link between bail reform and crime rates in its analysis of 33 cities, both with and without such reforms.

SPRINGFIELD ─ Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus celebrated the recent announcement of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s $13 million investment for 46 new all-electric school buses. The funding will facilitate the swap from older diesel-powered buses to brand new electric buses with the charging infrastructure needed to power the new fleet.

The grants are funded through Illinois’ allocation of the multi-billion-dollar Volkswagen Settlement and are distributed by Illinois EPA’s Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program. The grant program was developed to distribute funding for various types of clean air and energy projects. Illinois EPA has spent nearly $108 million in VW Settlement funds to date, funding 122 electric school buses and 65 direct current fast charging sites across the state. ​The program has also funded 60 electric transit buses in the Chicago area.

CHICAGO – Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Fiscal Year 2026 budget was signed into law:

“The budget signed today is one that confronts the challenges before us with the same principled approach that guided our recovery: true fiscal responsibility, addressing reality head-on, and not postponing difficult decisions for future years.

Our unwavering commitment to making Illinois not just a place to live, but a place where families thrive, businesses flourish, and communities prosper is apparent in the budget. We have invested in the whole person, recognizing that our state's strength lies in the collective success of all Illinoisans.

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget serves today's needs while building tomorrow's opportunities."

CHICAGO – Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Fiscal Year 2026 budget was signed into law:

“The budget signed today is one that confronts the challenges before us with the same principled approach that guided our recovery: true fiscal responsibility, addressing reality head-on, and not postponing difficult decisions for future years.

Our unwavering commitment to making Illinois not just a place to live, but a place where families thrive, businesses flourish, and communities prosper is apparent in the budget. We have invested in the whole person, recognizing that our state's strength lies in the collective success of all Illinoisans.

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget serves today's needs while building tomorrow's opportunities."