NEWS

Advocate | February 14, 2022

Simmons and his partner, Michael Sullivan, find that shared commitments to justice and each other keep their relationship healthy amid the demands of their work.

Chicago Tribune | February 12, 2021

As he looks ahead to his first legislative session, newly appointed state Sen. Mike Simmons has his eye on priorities that include addressing economic insecurity and health disparities, while also considering longer-term goals like reelection in 2022.

Amherst College | June 28, 2021

Mike is interviewed by his alma mater, Amherst College, about his family and growing up in public housing, his tenure as student body president at Amherst College, and his historic win as the first openly gay person to serve in the Illinois Senate.

LGBTQ Nation Election 2024 | November 4, 2022

The first out LGBTQ member of the Illinois State Senate has already introduced 16 pieces of legislation that have been signed into law.

Chicago Sun-Times | May 3, 2023

Books open our minds and are a powerful tool against bigotry, misunderstanding and “other-ism,” state Sen. Mike Simmons writes.

CAN TV | January 23, 2023

The son of a single black mother and an Ethiopian refugee father, he has committed his life to advocacy and public service. He is the first black person to serve the 7th District, the first openly gay member of the Illinois Senate and the third openly gay, black state senator in the nation. This week’s guest on In The Arena is Mike Simmons.

WGNTV Chicago | April 27, 2023

ABC 7 Chicago | February 21, 2022

CHICAGO -- Jett Hawkins was just 4 years old when he was sent home from school for having braids. Jett's mom, Ida Nelson, opens up about her fight to end hair discrimination in Illinois and across the country.

People | May 13, 2021

"As somebody who has been targeted and discriminated myself by schools, and has been resilient, I don't want the next generation to have to go through this," Illinois state Sen. Mike Simmons said

AP | May 8, 2023

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois bills that would update existing laws to be more gender inclusive and add protections for LGBTQ marriages are ready for action by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who said he will sign them.

Washington Post | May 22, 2023

A bill that would allow Illinois businesses to build bathrooms that are open to all genders moved closer to passing last week. Still, a comment by a Republican state senator during debates Thursday is being condemned by politicians and activist groups.

WAND TV | June 23, 2023

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Many people across the country will celebrate Pride this weekend with their partners, friends, and allies. Illinois has been one of the few states with legislation to protect rights of the LGBTQ+ community, and a state senator from Chicago says the state can never turn back.

Illinois Public Media | June 13, 2023

Previously under Illinois law, all single-occupancy restrooms are required to be gender-neutral, while bathrooms with multiple stalls were required to have specific gender designations. A piece of legislation that’s passed the Illinois Legislature that would allow businesses to create multi-stall gender-neutral restrooms is now awaiting a signature from Governor J.B. Pritzker.

Chicago Tribune | March 23, 2023

SPRINGFIELD — Following the heat-exposure deaths of three seniors in their apartments on Chicago’s Far North Side last year, the Illinois Senate on Thursday passed a measure requiring all state-funded affordable housing to have air-conditioning installed and controlled by residents.

WGEM | May 11,2023

Illinois lawmakers have approved a measure that reforms criminal sentencing for minors, particularly victims of child sex trafficking.

The Hill | February 16, 2023

Democratic state lawmakers are mobilizing against a tidal wave of proposed legislation to heavily restrict access to gender-affirming health care, combating stringent measures that can carry prison sentences as long as a decade with bills that plan to establish sanctuary states to shield doctors, transgender youth and their families in all 50 states from potential legal retribution.

New York Times | April 22, 2022

They talked to The New York Times for Kids about being singled out at school for how they wear their hair. Now they’re fighting for legislation so other kids won’t go through the same thing.

FOX 32 Chicago | June 23, 2023

Illinois Public Radio | December 9, 2022

WBBM NEWSRADIO | October 12, 2022

State Sen. Mike Simmons, the first openly gay member of the Illinois Senate, talked about his experience Tuesday, which was National Coming Out Day.

Chicago Tribune | May 26, 2022

Illinois legislators and advocacy group Equality Illinois issued a joint statement Thursday calling out State Farm after the insurance giant pulled support for a gender identity school book program.

Chicago Defender | December 13, 2022

To address ongoing issues concerning public health inequities in disenfranchised communities, State Senator Mike Simmons announced that he has secured $1 million in state funding for the replacement of lead pipes in South Evanston.

As Black gay and queer men we live in the duality of our identities. When the world sees us, they see our Blackness before they witness our gender nonconformity. The Native Son 101 is a list of Black gay and queer men who have had impact in 2021 on our community, on their profession or artistry, and on the world.

WREX | February 7, 2022

The three week series begins with a look into Illinois' new law banning hair discrimination in schools. State senator Mike Simmons, who wears his hair in freeform locs, led the charge in getting the hair discrimination law passed.

WTTW | October 7, 2021

Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood is among the most diverse in the city. It has long been home to immigrant and refugee communities. Similar to other communities across Chicago, gentrification is an issue at the top of many residents’ minds in Uptown.

Chicago Sun-Times | May 21, 2021

Responding to questions about his remarks during debate over a sex education bill, Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey said that Democrats such as state Sen. Mike Simmons “like to call you names and spread lies.”

WGN News | April 12, 2021

A new proposal at the Statehouse could give some Illinois parents up to $600 in tax credits to help recover from the financial fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

WTTW | February 15, 2021

Neighbors in Rogers Park, Edgewater, Uptown and Ravenswood have a new state senator representing them in Springfield. Simmons will focus on health, economic disparities.

Chicago Sun-Times | Feburary 21, 2021

State Sen. Mike Simmons is Black, gay and a lifelong resident of the Senate district he now represents. Simmons said he plans to draw on each of those facets of who he is to address the “economic struggle that’s happening literally right outside” his Uptown apartment and across the sprawling North Side district. He points to single mothers, children in tow, running to catch a bus. Or senior citizens who might not “have all the assistance that they need to live a dignified life.”

ABC7 Chicago | February 20, 2021

For the first time, there's an openly gay lawmaker serving in the Illinois State Senate. State Senator Mike Simmons was appointed earlier this month to represent the 7th district, which is on Chicago's North Side.

Two new Black state senators joined the Democratic caucus over the weekend, and Republicans named a new party chairman from Springfield.