State Senator Mike Simmons - IL-7th

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!

With the Trump administration's cuts to SNAP, we must act now and make sure no family experiences hunger. I know that feeling, and I won't stand for it. I look forward to the advancement of this critical legislation to protect food access for Illinoisans on SNAP! (2/2)

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.

I had the honor of meeting with ONE Northside, ICIRR, JUF, and Ukrainian dancers with Vyshyvanka School of Dance marking the solemn four year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.

The Capitol in Springfield is the people's house, and if you have not visited yet I encourage you to come down! (2/2)

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!

Now more than ever, it is wonderful to come together and celebrate the immigrant history of our community with festivals like this one. (2/2)

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!

The district office at 1040 W Bryn Mawr is closed Monday, February 16th, 2026 in observance of Presidents Day. Normal hours will resume Tuesday, February 17th at 9:00am. If you are in need of assistance, leave us a message at 773-769-1717 or email senatormikesimmons@gmail.com.

the kids at McCutcheon, Clinton, and McPherson who made cards this year! Our seniors could really feel the love illuminating from the colorful cards. (2/2)

Happy Valentine’s Day from elementary school students to seniors! ❤️💜💙

Every year, my team and I visit senior buildings around the district to hand out Valentine’s day cards to seniors that were made by local students. Thank you to (1/2)

asked questions about potential prosecution of ICE agents who broke the law, ranked-choice voting, election security, and Medicaid changes. You can watch a replay of the Town Hall and review info shared with my link in bio! (2/2)

Our ICE, SNAP, Policy Town Hall went very well yesterday with over 60 neighbors in attendance at Clarendon Park in Uptown! I shared details of the over 50 bills I filed this session alongside SNAP work requirement and ICE response updates. Thank you for everyone who came out and (1/2)

🚨Alert! 🚨

My first Town Hall of 2026 is this Thursday, February 12th in Clarendon Park Fieldhouse (4501 N Clarendon Ave) from 5:30-6:30pm. RSVP at bit.ly/simmonsTHfeb!

$5M Cooperative Housing Fund, and securing a $90M expansion to the HOME Fund in FY24 budget to combat homelessness. The work continues, and I am committed to finding ways to increase accessibility and affordability to all housing. Thank you to BCO for having me! (2/2)

Last week, I joined Bowmanville Community Organization for their annual housing meeting. I shared my actions to alleviate the housing crisis in our communities. This includes passing HB648 in 2021 to raise the cap on rental subsidy programs from 30 to 35%, SB1484 in 2023 which establishes a (1/2)

Follow for more Black History Month highlights all month long! (2/2)

To kick off Black History Month, my office will be highlighting small businesses, community leaders, and everyday constituents. First, I talked with Elijadji, owner of Teranga about what Black History Month means to him and about Senegalese food. (1/2)

Join me on Thursday, February 12 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for my first Town Hall of 2026 at the Clarendon Fieldhouse (4501 N. Clarendon)! I will give updates on the over 50 bills I have filed this Spring 2026 Session. I am looking forward to seeing you! RSVP at bit.ly/simmonsTHfeb

ICYMI, check out my latest newsletter that covers our 2025 Year in Review, quick legislative updates from Springfield, and important updates about SNAP work requirements! Read with the link in bio.

I'll be sharing celebrations of Black, Black American, African American, and our full diaspora all month and I invite you to join me! (2/2)

This Black History Month, we honor the past by protecting the future.
Black history isn’t just something we celebrate — it’s something we protect. (1/2)

La Comisión de Responsabilidad de Illinois está recopilando pruebas de la Operación Midway Blitz que podrían usarse para un posible enjuiciamiento.

Si se encontró con las operaciones del DHS de primera mano, puede presentar pruebas o testificar en la próxima audiencia visitando ilac.illinois.gov.