Senator Mike Simmons

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 Senator Villivalam, I am thrilled rideshare drivers will soon have the right to bargain for benefits and appeal unjust deactivations.

Shoutout to the Illinois Drivers Alliance for their well-organized advocacy in Springfield over the past two weeks!

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. Thank you to everyone who stopped by my office this week, including Karen Zaccor with CPS School Board, Thresholds, RIFL Act advocates, Muejeres Latinas en Acción, and Abundant Housing Illinois as well as my district staff Jordan, Heather, and Connor!

Earlier today it was my honor to welcome Senator Durbin to a historic joint session of the Illinois House and Senate in his honor, celebrating his 44 years of public service. I was honored to share remarks where I talked about my days as a legislative aide in his Capitol Hill office, where I learned to prioritize constituents and find solutions for them -- so important right now.

Senator Durbin's legacy will shine in Illinois history — and American history — as a proud son of our great state who made a huge impact in the United States Senate. He delivered time and again for Illinois, for our country, and for the US Senate as a democratic institution for more than a generation. We appreciate his exceptional service and wish him a very happy retirement.

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. Payman will be graduating in June from Lane Tech and will soon attend Columbia University on a full ride! I couldn't be more proud of their accomplishments and the work that they have done for our office and the 7th District. They are incredible public servants and I can't wait to see what is in store for them next!

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.

It was another powerful, productive week in Springfield! The Senate welcomed students to the Senate chamber, I led a press conference to call for complete funding of AIDS/HIV prevention and treatment services, rallied with the SEIU and the Illinois Driver's Alliance to fight for rideshare driver's rights to unionize, met with Moms Demand Action, and Illinois solar advocates.

Thank you to everyone who came to advocate - this coming week is the final week of spring session and I look forward to passing legislation that includes increased housing rights for tenants, worker protections, SNAP improvements, water resource protections, and a budget that sustains and fully funds the needs of the 7th district!

Today would have been Lori Cannon's birthday. My office honored her, lovingly known as our AIDS Angel, by joining a celebration hosted by the 48th Ward to name the 5500 N. Broadway block in her memory. We were joined by Congressman Quigley, Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth, Alderperson Lawson, Fmr. State Senator Carol Ronen, the Edgewater Chamber, and many family and friends.

Lori spent her life fighting for the rights and recognition of people with HIV/AIDS, serving as a co-founder of ACT Up Chicago, early volunteer for Chicago House, and a steering committee member for the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. In 1985, she co-founded Groceryland (formerly Open Hand), a food pantry and meals on wheels service for low-income people with AIDS. She was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 1994. This honorary street naming preserves her deep love and fierce dedication to the LGBTQ+ community.

I am proud to be Chief Co-Sponsor alongside Senator Villivalam of 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.

Today, it was a joy to stand with hundreds of drivers with the Illinois Drivers Alliance to advocate for the passage of SB2906 alongside Sen. Villivalam, Sen. Aquino, Sen. Peters, Rep. Johnson, SEIU Local 1 President Genie Kastrup, and more. Let’s get SB2906 passed ASAP!