SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to protect young women’s reproductive rights and choices, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) advanced the Youth Health and Safety Act.

“We know that most young people alert or involve a parent or older family member in their decision making when something as serious as a pregnancy happens,” Sims said. “In fact, research shows us that the younger someone is, the more likely they are to discuss it with a family member and when they don’t, they have a good reason.”

Under current law, young women, some in troubled family circumstances, must notify an adult family member at least 48 hours before having an abortion. However, Sims and other supporters of the legislation point out that not all family systems are created equal and that youth who come from these circumstances are placed in harm’s way by forcing them into unhealthy conversations.

CHICAGO – As the state prepares to launch the new Back to Business (B2B) small business relief program, Senate Democrats called a joint hearing of the Illinois Senate Appropriations and Commerce Committees to give small business owners a platform to provide feedback and direction to program administrators.

“I am proud to lead Democratic efforts in the Senate to ensure needed dollars reach the communities hardest hit by the pandemic,” said State Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago), who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. “The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic loss, but the losses our small businesses experienced have put a tremendous strain on growing local economies. I will remain committed to helping all small businesses build back better.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) and members of the Senate Appropriations and Commerce Committees will hold a joint hearing Thursday, Aug. 12 at noon to discuss the Back 2 Business small business recovery program. 

“It has remained a top priority of mine to help all small businesses build back better,” said Sims, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. “And I’m especially eager to ensure dollars reach the communities hardest hit by the pandemic.”

CHICAGO— For the first time in more than two decades, the state of Illinois has received a bond rating upgrade from Moody’s Investors Service. Following the announcement, State Senator Elgie Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“When budget negotiations first began this Spring, I vowed to move Illinois toward fiscal stability by working with other leaders in taking a responsible approach for a brighter future for all Illinoisans.  Moody’s ratings upgrade coupled with the recent positive economic outlook by Fitch shows that all of the hard work and determination that went into a plan that moves Illinois forward and puts taxpayers first is working. The state of Illinois is headed in a positive direction and I am very proud of our progress.

I looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the Governor to continue our collective efforts to improve the state’s financial condition and to ensure fiscal stability and growth for all Illinoisans. Our work continues.”

CHICAGO - Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) released the following statement after Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison:

“No sentence would bring Mr. George Floyd back to his family, but today’s sentence does not go far enough toward holding Derek Chauvin responsible for the trust he’s broken. This tragedy has not only affected the Floyd family, but has affected all of us. And, that’s why we should not be distracted from the fact that there is still more work to do to ensure our system of justice is fair and equitable for everyone.

“In today’s closing statements, Mr. Floyd’s brother said ‘Our family has been given a life sentence. We will never get George back.’ I want to send my warmest regards to the Floyd family, as we know today’s sentence will never fill the void they all must be feeling.

CHICAGO — Fitch Ratings released a revised outlook of Illinois’ General Obligation bonds from negative to positive. State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. released the following statement:

“Fitch Ratings Agency’s change of Illinois’ financial outlook from negative to positive reflects the state’s commitment to putting our fiscal house in order, which includes prioritizing paying the state’s backlog of bills - down from over $16 billion, at the height of the Rauner budget impasse, down to a normal payment cycle and nearly $3 billion today.

“As the Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman, I am committed to taking a fiscally responsible approach to our state’s finances and putting Illinois on a path toward a brighter future. 

“The new outlook from Fitch highlights several key points where the General Assembly in partnership with the Governor have worked together to tackle the challenging finances of our state.

“While I am proud of the positive reports released by the bond rating agency, because they show Illinois is on the right path, I know more must be done to provide for our most vulnerable, educate our young people, keep our communities safe, create good jobs and grow our economy, this is how we will keep our fiscal house in order and I remain committed to doing the work necessary to ensure that Illinois continues to enact responsible budgets and remains on an improved path toward fiscal stability.”

SPRINGFIELD — On Thursday, Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2017, the FY22 Budget Implementation Act, as well as Senate Bill 2800, the state’s spending plan, a package of legislation that puts Illinois back on the path toward fiscal stability. 

"We have approved a budget plan that I believe is balanced, responsible and puts us on a path toward a brighter future,” said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman, Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “Not only is this budget balanced, it provides stability by making our full required pension payment, paying down the borrowing we needed last year and funding many of our priorities to put our state on the right path."

Illinois Senate Democrats passed a budget that supports top priorities for the state, including education and important social services. Their budget plan also responds to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing additional support to small businesses and workforce development programs.

“Not only is this budget balanced, it provides stability by making our full required pension payment, paying down the borrowing we needed last year and funding many of our priorities to put our state on the right path,” said State Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago), the Senate’s chief budget expert. “As a member of the Illinois legislative Black Caucus and sponsor of its criminal justice pillar, I am also proud that this budget funds the enhanced training and other associated improvements passed earlier this year to enact the SAFE-T Act.”

The budget continues the caucus’ commitment to evidence-based funding reform for Illinois’ public schools with a $350 million investment in additional resources. This money will go to school districts that need it most, helping uplift lower-income urban and rural communities.