CHICAGO – A new law sponsored by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) requires hospitals and state agencies to gather more data in order to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has harmed LGBTQIA communities, older adults, and people with disabilities in Illinois.

“I see this as the first step to ensuring visibility and justice for historically wronged communities, which is especially important as Illinois recovers from a pandemic that has only aggravated these injustices,” Simmons said. “This is a response to valid concerns about how the COVID-19 pandemic in particular is harming communities that already were very poorly served by the health care system.”

CHICAGO – Many additional organizations that provide rape crisis services will be able to receive state recognition after legislation sponsored by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) was signed Friday. Simmons says the new law will facilitate quick access to critical resources for survivors.

“The current definition of rape crisis center is too narrow and excludes a lot of great organizations,” Simmons said. “Organizations that share locations with other services or that provide rape crisis in tandem with other services can’t get the necessary certification, which severely limits their ability to provide help to the people who need it.”

SPRINGFIELD – Individuals who make calls to police for the sole purpose of harassing people based on their identity will now face potential hate crime charges under a new law sponsored by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago).

“Calling the police as an intimidation tactic against someone because you don’t like or are uncomfortable with their identity should never be an option,” Simmons said. “This practice, which is almost always rooted in racism, is a serious threat to public safety and to the welfare of Black lives, and we need to do all that we can to deter it.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) continued his series of people’s legislative councils Thursday evening by inviting long-term 7^th District residents into his office to discuss the issues that matter to them.

“The long term residents of the 7^th district bring a very important perspective,” Simmons said. “They love this community and want it to remain a diverse place for all residents. It’s important for me to reflect their experiences and center their needs in my legislative work.”

Simmons invited 13 longtime residents to the council, and engaged in a discussion with them about the issues that concern them most. One of the major themes was the increasing cost of homes. One Rogers Park resident expressed concern that their daughter would not be able to afford the house she grew up in. Another mentioned that their mom was able to maintain a two bedroom apartment with two kids, but how that’s now impossible.

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) officially banned schools from discriminating against hairstyles historically associated with race or ethnicity with the signing of the Jett Hawkins Act at a ceremony Friday at Uplift Community High School.

“No child should ever have to experience being singled out by their school for sporting a hairstyle that remains true to their heritage, culture or ancestry,” Simmons said. “These policies have no purpose and only serve to disproportionately impact and humiliate students of color who choose to wear their hair in a style that is traditionally non-white.”

CHICAGO – A new law sponsored by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) expands eligibility requirements for the state’s Rental Housing Support Program to higher income levels.

“Many renters in our state are still reeling from the economic effects of COVID-19,” Simmons said. “The harsh reality is that many Illinoisans are burdened by their rent, and the programs we have in place to offer support need to adjust to meet that reality.”

House Bill 648 raises the income threshold for a tenant to qualify for the rental assistance program from 30% of the median family income for the area to 35%.  Once that threshold is met, tenants begin phasing out of the program, which is administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

“This new law will help provide some relief to working class people as they work to rebound from a global pandemic,” Simmons said.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the legislation into law Friday. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.

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.”