MLK Essay Competition

It was a joy to visit the winners of my Martin Luther King Essay Competition at Caldwell Math & Science Academy, Schmid Elementary School and Rickover Junior High School. The essays were profound statements of what these young people feel about the world around them and would have made Dr. King and should make each of us proud.

I am so proud of each of the students who participated. Their essays were thoughtful, well-written and laid out a call to action for all of us. It was clear the students put a great deal of thought into what Dr. King would want for America today.

First place winners received a laptop computer and plaque acknowledging their achievement. Second place winners took home a tablet and medal acknowledging their achievement. Third place and honorable mention recipients each received a medal. All participants were given certificates and book bags filled with school supplies.

Improving voter access for students

Just this week, a plan I sponsored to give students two hours during the school day to vote was signed into law.

During a "March to the Polls" which I attended alongside students from Thornton Fractional North High School and Thornton Fractional South High School, we got some push-back for the event, which was organized to allow them to go vote during school hours.

Some of those students joined me in Springfield last March to support legislation to give Illinois students two hours during school to vote.

Their passion helped to get it passed out of the General Assembly, and on Wednesday some of these students saw it signed into law at TF North. Together we are helping students throughout the state have more access to the polls. I couldn't be more proud to help them be the change they want to see in the world.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/simssb1970

New Sims law makes voting accessible to Illinois students

CHICAGO—A plan to give students time off to vote was signed into law on Wednesday.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) led efforts to pass legislation, which allows students to vote during school hours. This comes after push back from school administrators during a “March to the Polls.” Students from those schools rallied to pass the new law out of committee last year, and some were there to see it signed into law.

“I was proud to stand with the same students who fought for this bill’s passage as it is signed into law today,” Sims said. “It is crucial that voting is accessible to everyone, including our students. Their voices are just as important as state workers’, who already have time off to vote. And of course, I encourage private employers to extend this allowance to their employees wherever possible.”

Senate Bill 1970 amends the Election Code to allow students who are 18 or older to leave school for up to two hours to vote in a primary, general or any other election in the state that requires a popular vote.

The school can decide which hours students can be absent to vote.

The plan is modeled after current rules for employers and employees.

“Together we are breaking down a barrier that has long made it difficult for our young people to make their voices heard during elections,” Sims said. “I hope this will excite students throughout the state and encourage them to take their civic duty as voters seriously.”

The new law will be effective on June 1, 2020.

Sims congratulates Harmon on winning Senate presidency

State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. released the following statement after State Senator Don Harmon was sworn in as president of the Illinois Senate Sunday:

“I want to congratulate my colleague and friend on being elected Senate President. President Harmon has shown his dedication to the people of Illinois by working tirelessly on tough issues, including gun dealer licensing and the fair tax amendment.

"I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure we are taking steps to ensure that our communities are safe, we are promoting job creation and our young people are receiving a quality education.”