SPRINGFIELD – To streamline a fair and just pretrial process, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is collaborating with the court system to enhance the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services.

“The Office of Statewide Pretrial Services will serve as a beacon of fairness, equity and efficiency in this critical phase of the legal process,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “By assessing risk rather than wealth, the office will ensure that pretrial decisions are rooted in principles of justice, not financial privilege.”

Following the passage of the Pretrial Fairness Act in 2021, the Illinois Supreme Court created the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services. It employs pretrial service officers who conduct pretrial investigations and provide pretrial supervision. To date, the office has completed 11,932 investigations and 11,607 defendants have been ordered to its supervision.

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Elgie Sims proclaimed May 1, 2024 as Alpha Phi Alpha Day– recognizing the significant contributions made by the fraternity, particularly in the areas of service, leadership and community empowerment.

"I am proud to recognize Alpha Phi Alpha for their unwavering dedication to uplifting communities and fostering positive change," said Sims (D-Chicago). "Their commitment to service and excellence serves as a guiding light for us all, and I am honored to proclaim May 1 as Alpha Phi Alpha Day in Illinois."

Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for Black men, was founded on Dec. 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Since its inception, the fraternity has been dedicated to the principles of scholarship, manly deeds, and love for all mankind, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless individuals across the country.

SPRINGFIELD – Moody’s Investors Service, a major credit rating agency, revised the state’s outlook to “positive” – a move that can be attributed to the stability and responsibility of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.

“Moody’s is recognizing what has been recognized time and again with the state’s nine consecutive credit upgrades in the last two years: our fiscal responsibility is paying off,” said Senate Majority Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “Our future looks bright and I look forward to continued collaborative efforts with my colleagues to keep Illinois on this upward economic trajectory.”

Moody’s outlook change comes following nine credit rating upgrades that have come from the fiscally responsible budgeting approach of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.

SPRINGFIELD – Parents would have better understanding of the signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in their children under a measure State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. passed through the Senate.

“Providing education on Type 1 diabetes isn’t just a tool – it is a lifeline that can give children guidance toward better self-care and resilience,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Schools have an opportunity to make a difference both in students’ education and their health.”

Students and their families would be more educated on symptoms, intervention and treatment of Type 1 diabetes under a proposal led by Sims. Senate Bill 3473 would require the Illinois State Board of Education and Department of Public Health to put together informational resources on the disease and display it on ISBE’s website. Public and charter schools would also hand out the information to parents or guardians when enrolling their child.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is alleviating financial burdens on organizations that help vulnerable populations to ensure access to essential nutrition services by exempting home-delivered meals from sales tax for Medicare and Medicaid recipients

"For many Medicare and Medicaid recipients, home-delivered meals are a lifeline – providing essential nutrition and support," said Sims (D-Chicago). "However, the added burden of sales tax can create financial strain for those already facing economic challenges. Senate Bill 3476 aims to remove this barrier to access, ensuring that vulnerable individuals can receive the nourishment they need without additional financial burden."

Under Senate Bill 3476, home-delivered meals – like from Meals on Wheels – provided to Medicare and Medicaid recipients would be exempt from sales tax when payment is made by an intermediary, such as a Medicare Administrative Contractor, a Managed Care Organization, or a Medicare Advantage Organization, pursuant to government contract.

SPRINGFIELD – If a person’s license plate or sticker is stolen from their car, they wouldn’t be on the hook for paying the replacement fee under a measure led through the Senate by State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

“Imagine the stress of seeing someone violated your personal belongings,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Now imagine the exacerbated stress of wondering how you are going to pay to fix the problem so you don’t get fined. We should never penalize victims – no matter how big or small the price.” 

Under Sims’ measure, if a person’s license plate or registration sticker is stolen, they would be able to receive a new one at no cost. Currently, drivers would have to pay either $6 for a new plate, or $20 for a new registration tag if stolen.

SPRINGFIELD – Under a new law led by State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr., the pawnbroker industry will now have enhanced oversight to ensure it is being fair, transparent and equitable.

“Working with consumer advocates and other interested stakeholders, we passed a comprehensive plan to ensure transparency and ethical practices within the pawnbroker industry,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “The Predatory Loan Prevention Act stopped many forms of predatory lending in Illinois, and we are working to continue down that path.”

Sims’ law creates the Pawnbrokers Regulation Act of 2023, regulating how a pawnbroker can operate and conduct its operations to ensure they are being fair, transparent, and equitable. It gives the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation authority to oversee and regulate the industry. Further, it establishes a complaint and penalty system, which could result in the termination or suspension of a pawnbroker’s license.

SPRINGFIELD – Parents would have better understanding of the signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in their children under a measure led by State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

“Providing education on Type 1 diabetes isn’t just a tool – it is a lifeline that can give children guidance toward better self-care and resilience,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Schools have an opportunity to make a difference both in students’ education and their health.”

Students and their families would be more educated on symptoms, intervention and treatment of Type 1 diabetes under a proposal led by Sims. Senate Bill 3473 would require the Illinois State Board of Education and Department of Public Health to put together informational resources on the disease and display it on ISBE’s website. Public and charter schools would also hand out the information to parents or guardians when enrolling their child.