Sims named chair of new Senate Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. – the chief sponsor of the SAFE-T Act – will serve as chair of the newly established Senate Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety.

“Our number one priority as a General Assembly is to center public safety by and for the people,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Our collective efforts have allowed us to reimagine public safety and provide historically marginalized communities with access to the resources they need to address the challenges plaguing our communities. However, our work is not done. This committee will give us an opportunity to continue maintaining public safety for all, not just a few.”

Since first entering the legislature, Sims has served as a leading voice in the effort to reform our state’s criminal justice system. Sims most recently spearheaded efforts to pass a comprehensive criminal justice reform bill that changes current use of force policy, how courts impose bail and sentences people convicted of crimes, and advance rights to all Illinois citizens, including detainees and prisoners, to better improve interactions with law enforcement professionals.

The Senate Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety will prioritize violence prevention, focusing on deterrence from the criminal justice system and approaching criminal justice reform through a community-based approach.

“Until systemic racism in our criminal justice system is fully eradicated, our work is not done,” said Sims. “The special committee will allow us to focus on ensuring all people – regardless of their ZIP code or the color of their skin – have the same fair and just chance at safety and success.”

Sims will serve as chair of the 10-person committee throughout the 103^rd General Assembly.

Sims hopeful as budget negotiations begin

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. – the Senate’s Appropriations Leader – released the following statement after Governor JB Pritzker laid the groundwork of his Fiscal Year 2024 budget proposal:

“Throughout recent years – and despite the turmoil that was brought forth due to the pandemic – Illinois has put itself in the greatest financial situation it has seen in years. As a General Assembly, we have a responsibility to continue on a path of fiscal stability by passing a balanced budget that prioritizes the people, groups and agencies that need the most help.

“In the months to come, I will use my position as the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair to negotiate a budget that solves the pressing economic problems facing our low- and middle-income families through education, small business and public safety initiatives.”

Sims named Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader

SPRINGFIELD — State Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is honored to be named Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader and to serve as chair of the Appropriations Committee during the 103^rd General Assembly. 

“I am proud to continue my work prioritizing fiscal responsibility and smart spending for the people of this great state,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “We have made immense fiscal progress in recent years, and I look forward to building upon those efforts.”

Senator Sims has served in the General Assembly since 2012, first serving in the House until 2018. While Sims previously served as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and as the Senate’s lead budget negotiator, this is his first year on the Senate President’s leadership team.

“Senate President Don Harmon has led our caucus — and the entire Senate — with immense poise and leadership,” Sims said. “I am honored he trusts me to serve as the Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader.”

Sims will also serve as vice chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and will be a member of the Senate Financial Institutions and Revenue Committees.

Senator Sims elected as vice chair of Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council

CHICAGO – A longtime advocate of bettering the criminal justice system, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. was named vice chair of the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council.

“To truly combat racism within our criminal justice system we must understand and evaluate our sentencing policies,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “We must use data and academic research to evaluate and improve outcomes in our criminal legal system. The color of your skin or the location of your zip code should never determine the length of your sentence.”

In his role, the Senator will be joined by nearly two dozen other state and local criminal justice system stakeholders including retired judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, victims’ rights advocates and more.

The group will review sentencing policies and practices and examine how those policies impact the criminal justice system as a whole. The non-partisan, independent commission will then report on its findings as it pertains to effectiveness and efficiency of the current sentencing practices.

Sims has served as a leading voice in the effort to reform the state’s criminal justice for many years. He spearheaded efforts to pass a comprehensive criminal justice reform bill that will change the current use of force policy, how courts impose bail and sentence individuals, and advance rights to all Illinois citizens, including detainees and prisoners, to better improve interactions with law enforcement professionals.

“We can’t just put people in jail and forget about them – there needs to be a path back from prison and that starts with how we look at sentencing,” said Sims. “People deserve the opportunity to remake their lives.”

Senator Sims will hold the position of vice chair until next January.