Sims increases access to home-delivered meals for Medicare and Medicaid recipients

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is alleviating financial burdens on organizations that help vulnerable populations to ensure access to essential nutrition services by exempting home-delivered meals from sales tax for Medicare and Medicaid recipients

"For many Medicare and Medicaid recipients, home-delivered meals are a lifeline – providing essential nutrition and support," said Sims (D-Chicago). "However, the added burden of sales tax can create financial strain for those already facing economic challenges. This law removes this barrier to access, ensuring that vulnerable individuals can receive the nourishment they need without additional financial burden."

Under Senate Bill 3476, home-delivered meals – like from Meals on Wheels – provided to Medicare and Medicaid recipients will be exempt from sales tax when payment is made by an intermediary, such as a Medicare Administrative Contractor, a Managed Care Organization, or a Medicare Advantage Organization, pursuant to government contract.

Home-delivered meals play a crucial role in supporting the health and well-being of seniors and individuals with disabilities, allowing them to remain independent and healthy in their own homes. By exempting these meals from sales tax, Sims’ law promotes equitable access to nutrition services and alleviate financial barriers for those most in need.

"Access to nutritious meals is fundamental to overall health and quality of life," said Sims. "By exempting home-delivered meals from sales tax for Medicare and Medicaid recipients, we can ensure that all Illinois residents have access to the support and resources they need to thrive."

Senate Bill 3476 was signed into law Monday and takes immediate effect.

Sims launches summer reading program

CHICAGO – To emphasize the importance of learning throughout the summer, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is hosting a Summer Book Club to encourage students to read and continue their studies during the summer vacation.

“Becoming a stronger reader will benefit kids in school and in life for years to come,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Keeping young minds active during summer break can help maintain critical literacy skills when school isn’t in session.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form, and return the form to Sims’ office by Aug. 16. Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card and certificate from Sims.

To participate, people can download and print the form here. Parents can also call Sims’ office at 773-933-7715 to request a form by mail.

Sims urges interested residents to call his office with any additional questions.

Sims: FY 25 budget invests in our communities

CHICAGO – Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the governor signed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget into law: 

“The budget signed today builds upon our strong, smart spending decisions of recent years that have led Illinois to not just one credit upgrade – but nine. 

“I am proud of the steps we took to continue Illinois on the right path. We didn’t just look at fiscal outcomes, but prioritized our most vulnerable populations – educating our young people, keeping our communities safe, creating good jobs, and growing our economy. 

“Continuing our principled and disciplined approach will keep our fiscal house in order. I am committed to doing the work necessary to ensure that Illinois continues to enact responsible budgets and remains on the path toward fiscal stability, investing in and uplifting marginalized people, all while prioritizing our communities and people who need the most assistance.” 

Sims statement on the passage of Illinois’ sixth balanced budget

SPRINGFIELD – Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget:

“In keeping with our shared commitment to fiscal responsibility, we have approved a budget that is balanced, responsible and invests in people in all corners of our state.

“As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I set a goal that our budget would serve the best interests of the people of Illinois. By promoting economic growth, supporting education, ensuring public safety and enhancing the overall well-being of our communities, we will build a stronger, more prosperous and more equitable future for all residents of our great state.

“This budget reflects our shared values and our commitment to making Illinois a better place to live, work and raise a family. I am proud to have led a stable budget that addresses our current needs.”

Fiscal Year 2025 Budget

The Fiscal Year 2025 budget builds upon the responsible spending decisions the state has made and balanced budgets we have passed in recent years, bringing forth a budget and other legislation that prioritizes education, public safety, economic development, social service, local governments and more.

Highlights

Fiscal Responsibility – 6^th balanced budget

• This budget builds on five years of historic fiscal progress with balanced budgets, nine credit rating upgrades, the elimination of the bill backlog, and more.
• Alongside the smart spending decisions of the previous fiscal years, the budget continues to pay down our bills, invest more money into retirees through fully funding pensions, and save for the future.

Education

Early Childhood Education

• $14 million to launch the Department of Early Childhood – a new agency to focus on administering early childhood education programs
• An additional $75 million will be sent to the ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant – putting in place 5,000 more slots in preschool deserts
• $36.5 million to support higher participation in the Child Care Assistance Program

K-12 Education

• Continues the commitment of a $350 million increase toward the evidence-based funding model for K-12 education
  • The state will topple $2 billion toward the evidence-based funding model since its inception with this investment
• $10.3 million increase for Career and Technical Education programs
• $3 million for State Literacy Plan Implementation – a roadmap to enhance and unify core literacy instruction efforts statewide
• $45 million for the Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot Program

Higher Education

• $711 million for Monetary Award Program (MAP) funding
  • In Fiscal Year 2025, a projected 146,000 students could benefit from MAP Grants – up from 126,864 in 2019
• $8 million for the Minority Teacher Scholarship Program

Violence Prevention and Public Safety

• Funding to hire and train 200 new state troopers – a total of two new cadet classes
• $200 million to the Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) program
• $45 million to build up the Reimagine Public Safety grant program
• $200 million to enhance after-school and summer youth programs

Health and Human Services

• $290 million for HOME Illinois
• $2.4 billion for services for people with developmental disabilities, including a $1 per hour wage increase for Direct Support Professionals
• $155 million for safety net hospitals
• $50 million for a child tax credit for eligible low-income families with EITC