The Illinois General Assembly adjourned early this morning. Here are my thoughts on the FY27 Illinois State Budget. Link in bio for my full statement.

The Transportation Network Driver Labor Relations Act, which grants rideshare workers the right to organize, has just passed the Senate as HB5090! As a Chief Co-Sponsor alongside Sen. Villivalam, I am thrilled drivers will soon have the right to bargain for benefits and appeal unjust deactivations.

The end of session is almost here, and I've had another great week in Springfield advocating for 7th District priorities and meeting with constituents.

Earlier today, I helped welcome Senator Durbin to a historic joint session in his honor, celebrating his 44 years of public service. I shared remarks about my days in his Capitol Hill office as a legislative aide. I appreciate his exceptional public service and wish him a very happy retirement.

Renters deserve the opportunity to become home owners, and we have a bill to make this dream possible. Senate Bill 332 would establish a 90-day Right of First Refusal for renters living in a multi-unit building that is set to be sold. Watch my press conference below for more details!

Congratulations to all our former interns this graduation season! Cullen and Krysha graduated from Loyola University this May with Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees, respectively. Dohyeon graduated from my alma mater, Amherst College, with a Bachelor's. (1/2)

Happy Memorial Day. Today, we honor the brave veterans who gave their lives while serving our country. Take a moment today to remember those who have lost their life in the line of duty as we continue to strive to build a nation worthy of their sacrifice.

Today would have been Lori Cannon's birthday. My office honored her by joining a celebration hosted by the 48th Ward to name the 5500 N. Broadway block in her memory. We were joined by Rep. Quigley, Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth, Ald. Lawson, Fmr. State Sen. Carol Ronen, and many family and friends. (1/2)

I am proud to Chief Co-Sponsor Senate Bill 2906, the Transportation Network Driver Labor Relations Act which grants rideshare workers the right to organize. Rideshare workers deserve a living wage, safe working conditions, and the ability to organize just as any working-class Illinoisan does. (1/2)

On Monday, the U.S. EPA announced changes to PFAS regulation for public drinking water. I saw this coming, and in 2025 I passed SB727, the Safe Public Drinking Water Act, which ensures Illinois will maintain the strongest regulations against PFAS in the nation. See my full statement below.

Today in Springfield, I stood with Alderman Robinson, Leader Lilly, Representative Hernandez, AIDS Foundation Chicago, Taskforce, BLACHE, School of Opulence, and the Springfield Urban League to call for the complete funding of HIV/AIDS services via Senate Bill 2814/House Bill 4410. (1/2)

Another productive week in Springfield meeting constituents, sponsoring progressive legislation, holding state agencies accountable during confirmation hearings, and fighting for life-saving safety net hospital funding. Read all about it in my latest newsletter linked in my bio!

Happy 34th Annual Chicago River Day! Connor from my staff joined Friends of the Chicago River for the clean-up at River Park on Saturday. I am proud to value sustainability and the natural world. I will continue to support legislation that preserves the Chicago River's beautiful flora and fauna.

Yesterday, Gabby from my team shared remarks at Alderwoman Hadden's Town Hall at Jordan Elementary on how to stay connected with our office for mutual aid and constituent services. It's always a blast to connect with our constituents and local organizations! Want to volunteer? Contact us via my bio.

On Wednesday, I presented SB2810 to the Appropriations Committee, which would create a $50 million "Operation Midway Blitz" Small Business Restoration Grant Program to provide economic support to small businesses who have been negatively impacted by ICE and CBP. Learn more with the link in my bio.

I was proud to introduce Mony Ruiz-Velasco to the Executive Appointments Committee supporting her re-nomination as Commissioner of the Illinois Human Rights Commission. An immigration attorney previously with Equality IL and ICIRR, her nomination was approved in committee and awaits a Senate vote!

Hello from another packed week in Springfield! I started today off right with brothers from Alpha Phi Alpha who came to Springfield to stand tall for our communities and future. I also met with 7th District St. Augustine at Lewis University leadership and staff, the Chicago Fire Department, (1/2)

It's always fun to meet constituents at my district office! Veronica was walking by today and popped in to say hello, and I had to take a picture with her given her stunning custom dress! As I head down to Springfield this evening, the concerns of constituents like Veronica remain top of mind.

Students at McCutcheon have gone without a gym for much too long, and I admired the passion students brought out as they rallied yesterday. While CPS keeps a McCutcheon gym on the back-burner, I am committed to helping find the funds necessary for this project! Happy May Day, and happy organizing! ✊🏿

For May Day, I joined SEIU Local 73’s organized faculty strike at Loyola Chicago. Then, I joined McCutcheon elementary school students as they rallied for a gymnasium! If Loyola Chicago has money to buy and demolish housing, they can pay faculty a fair wage. I am proud to stand with SEIU Local 73!

May Day is an important date in history for the labor movement. Join me today in solidarity with organized labor by attending a May Day event or only purchasing from local businesses and withholding your dollars from large corporations that put the interests of billionaires over workers and unions!

Thanks to all who came to our April 2026 Town Hall in Lincoln Square! We discussed bills to empower renters, put corporate property managers in check, and more. I also heard from constituents on issues important to them, including maternal health outcomes and housing for folk without credit history.

In case you missed it, check out my April 24th newsletter. It includes comprehensive legislative updates and lots of photos with advocates in Springfield! Please take a read and contact my office with any feedback you have on pending legislation! senatormikesimmons.com/news/newslet...

Corporate greed is taking over Chicago apartments, and we need to hold bad actors accountable! With an exemption for owner-occupied properties with 6 units or less, HB3564 focuses on protecting renters against excessive fees. Let's get HB3564 signed into law to bring stability to the rental market!

Join me Thursday, April 23rd for a Legislative Town Hall! I'll be sharing legislative wins, including banning rental junk fees, fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, e-bike safety, and more! Join me at Welles Park Fieldhouse (2333 W. Sunnyside Ave) in Lincoln Square from 5:30-6:30pm. RSVP: bit.ly/simmonsTHapr

Back in action in Springfield! This week has been packed with action days, advocates, and constituent meetings! It's giving me energy and fire! Shout out everyone who came to Springfield: The National Association of Social Workers - Illinois for advocating for SB2771, which (1/3)

My bill to end religious hair discrimination in schools is set to pass the Senate! Thank you to the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago for hosting a press conference to highlight this great step for students of all religious backgrounds. Next, SB3361 moves to the House.

BIG news for Illinois renters! House Bill 3564, led by myself and Rep. Syed, has passed through the House and Senate! If signed into law by Governor Pritzker, HB3564 establishes a $50 cap for rental application fees, bans 11 types of junk fees, caps move-in fees at 20% of rent, and more.

Staff dropped in today for some TLC at DMApothecary and their *new* location at 5430 N. Broadway! Drop in for all-natural teas, tinctures, skincare, gifts, and all around positivity. Watch for Deirdre, Matthew, and DMApothecary this year at the Edgewater Farmer's Market and Argyle Night Market.

While Federal SNAP/Medicaid cuts continue to challenge Illinois families, Senator Simmons Mutual Aid continues on! We have had tremendous success so far hosting mutual aid at my district office. Thank you to all the neighbors who have generously donated so far to support neighbors in need!

Today, the Supreme Court ruled against Colorado's ban on conversion therapy. Here is my response to this threat to LGBTQ+ people in Illinois and nationwide.

Happy Transgender Day of Visibility to our transgender friends, family, and neighbors! With over 1.6 million people in the U.S. identifying as transgender, please know that you are not alone in your identity! Take a moment today to call your transgender friends and tell them you care about them. 🏳️‍⚧️💙🩷

Check out my latest newsletter, which includes updates from Springfield including committee hearings on HIV care and prevention funding, establishing a Chicago bike grid, commemorating the 130th Anniversary of the Ethiopian Battle of Adwa, constituent advocacy, and important resources. Link in bio!

On Wednesday, I was proud to bring forth a bill in committee, SB3478, in partnership with Bike Grid Now. This bill would direct the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to develop and submit a plan for a citywide Chicago bicycle grid network. I look forward to advancing this legislation!

On the Senate floor, I commemorated the 130th Anniversary of the Battle of Adwa of 1896 in which Ethiopia decisively defeated an invading colonial army from Italy. Let this African history inspire freedom-loving people everywhere! Watch my full floor speech here!

For the fourth year in a row, I am proud to carry legislation with AIDS Foundation Chicago that includes FY27 budget funding for HIV prevention/treatment, and helps us get to zero new HIV/AIDS diagnoses by 2030.  Below is the press conference held yesterday with @aidsfoundationchi.bsky.social.

It is great to be back in Springfield! I have been in session, caucus, in committee, and meeting with constituents. A huge shout out to young people from Palenque, neighbors from the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness, the Respiratory Health Association, (1/2)

Today marks 6 years since Breonna Taylor was killed due to a system that prioritizes punishment and cruelty over rehabilitation and equal justice for all. Six years after her death, I will not forget Breonna Taylor as we work toward a world where Black lives truly matter.

In case you missed it - Check out my March 6th newsletter linked in my bio! It highlights action in Springfield, including passing a bill out of committee to expand the Jett Hawkins Act to protect religious hairstyles, legislation to modernize SNAP EBT cards to prevent fraud, and more!

Yesterday, my team participated in Alderwoman Maria Hadden’s Town Hall to connect with constituents. Thank you to my Chief of Staff, Heather for giving remarks. Happy 189th Birthday Chicago and thank you to JB Albertos for providing delicious pizza!

It is time for Illinois to modernize SNAP/EBT cards to protect food access and stop fraud! This morning, I held a press conference calling for the passage of my legislation, SB3372, to modernize SNAP cards by implementing chip-based technology to eliminate skimming fraud. (1/2)

Black history is American history, and it continues to be made in 2026. I am proud to be the first Black person to serve as State Senator for the 7th District of Illinois. While Black History Month 2026 comes to a close, the work continues!

We honor the life and legacy of the late Reverend Jesse Jackson — a civil rights giant who taught us that faith must be lived out loud, and transformed hope into movement and movement into lasting change. May we continue the fight for a more just and equitable world in his memory.

This week in Springfield bills are being assigned and I have been busy with session and committee hearings, including Public Health, Transportation, and Labor. Members wore red in support of American Heart Month, and as always, the Capitol building is buzzing with constituents and advocates! (1/2)

We celebrate Black History Month now and always. As the first Black person to serve as State Senator of the 7th District and a member of the Illinois Black Legislative Caucus, I will continue to fight to preserve, remember, and advance Black excellence in all its forms.

Check out my latest newsletter that includes news on $1.1 billion in medical debt relief, a town hall recap, and my reaction to the Governor’s proposed state budget. Read it with my link in bio and stories!

Happy Lunar New Year, the Year of the Horse! 🐎 As always, It was a blast attending multiple Lunar New Year events on Saturday, including Chinese Mutual Aid Association's celebration at St. Augustine College, Southeast Asia Center’s luncheon at Furama, and the Lunar New Year parade on Argyle! (1/2)

I held a press conference at the capitol yesterday to announce that the Illinois Medical Relief Program, which I passed into law in 2024, has provided over $1.1 billion in debt relief to over 500,000 Illinoisans. I am grateful for Governor Pritzker’s commitment, and we're just getting started!

The governor’s proposed FY27 budget is a good starting point. As always, I will not support cuts to vital human services. Furthermore, I support a budget that supports those affected by ICE, fully funds SNAP/Medicaid, and funds housing solutions.

Next in our series for Black History Month, we are highlighting an everyday leader, constituent, and volunteer Gary McCollum!