New Sims law requires FBI involvement in cases where bodies remain unidentified

SPRINGFIELD — When Illinois State University student Jelani Day went missing, it took two weeks to find his body and another three weeks to identify his remains. This led State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) to champion a law signed Friday to allow county coroners and medical examiners to receive federal assistance in identifying missing persons.

“When we hear pleas from a family for help, we should be using all the tools at our disposal to bring them the support that they need to help find or identify their loved ones,” Sims said. “Unfortunately, some smaller counties and police departments do not have access to the same technology and resources as larger cities, and this law will address that.”

The new law, formerly known as Senate Bill 3932, will require a coroner or medical examiner with custody of human remains that are not identified within 72 hours of discovery to immediately notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation for assistance in identification.

The measure was filed to address the death of Jelani Day, a 25-year-old graduate student at Illinois State University. Day was reported missing on Aug. 24, 2021, discovered on Sept. 4, 2021 and wasn’t identified by the LaSalle County coroner until Sept. 24, 2021.

“When you look at missing person cases, typically the first 72 hours are extremely important," Sims said. “Getting those resources in place can be critical to overall success in solving cases and getting families the help that they need.”

Senate Bill 3932 was signed into law Friday.

Senator Sims hosts Coffee and Conversation Virtual Series

CHICAGO – To give people the opportunity to ask questions, interact with their neighbors and get updates about what’s going on in the community, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is inviting residents to attend one of his virtual Coffee and Conversation events.

“This Town Hall series provides my neighbors and to engage in a discussion about how we can work together to make our community even stronger,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “I encourage people to join me to talk about the issues facing our community and to hear updates from what we accomplished in Springfield.”

The first event will be held Tuesday, May 24 from 6-7 p.m. virtually to allow people more access to participate from the comfort of their home. Chicago residents interested in attending should register by clicking here.

Each Coffee and Conversation event serves as an open forum for community members to engage in conversations with Senator Sims and each other about issues facing the region and the state. Senator Sims will give updates from Springfield and be available to discuss questions and concerns of residents.

The event is free and open to area residents and any resident of the 17^th District is invited to attend any of the scheduled meetings. People with questions regarding the event are encouraged to contact Senator Sims’ office at 773-933-7715 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Senator Sims will also host Coffee and Conversation events for South Suburban Cook County residents and Will and Kankakee County residents next month.

Senator Sims creates hotline to keep students safe from targeted violence

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) spearheaded a newly signed law which creates a hotline designed to receive reports from the public regarding potential self-harm or criminal acts directed at schools, students or school employees.

“Our number one job is to protect our state’s most vulnerable populations,” said Sims. “This program was introduced to keep our children and schools safe while providing help to those who are battling mental illness.”

Senate Bill 3936, an initiative of Illinois State Police, requires ISP to work collaboratively with the Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois State Board of Education and Department of Children and Family Services to provide support resources to students and teachers to prevent potential crisis situations.

The groups will work together to create a hotline to receive reports of potential self-harm and criminal acts directed at students and teachers. 

“We cannot wait for another tragic event to happen in our schools,” said Sims. “This is a key step in the intervention process that will not only protect our students from planned attacks but will also help improve police-community relations.” 

Senate Bill 3936 was signed into law on Friday, May 6.

Nearly 200 businesses in district Sims represents receive $4.5 million in business assistance

CHICAGO – Today, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. announced that 200 businesses across the 17th district were awarded nearly $4.5 million in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to his advocacy and support.

“As we continue to deal with the impact COVID-19 has had on our daily lives, we are also seeing local businesses face tremendous financial distress as they also work to bounce back,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “The Back to Business Grant program has continued to be a nation-leading small business assistance program that has provided thousands of businesses across the state with millions of dollars in assistance to help them through these challenging times.”

A total of $4.475 million was awarded to 174 businesses in the 17^th District. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

DCEO has provided $250 million in B2B grants – thanks to strong support from Senator Sims – to small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on hard hit sectors, such as hotels, restaurants, bars, barbershops and salons, and disproportionately impacted areas.

“Small businesses enrich our communities,” Sims said. ” I am proud to have led efforts in the Senate to ensure this much-needed funding assistance reaches our hardest-hit areas.”

With strong leadership from Sims, the state has seen five Illinois’ General Obligation bond rating upgrades in the last year from all three of the nation’s primary credit rating agencies. The latest two-notch upgrade comes from Fitch Ratings, as a result of the state paying down its bill backlog from over $16 billion to less than $3 billion in a course of just a few years.

Because of the fiscally responsible budgeting approach taken by the state, Illinois saw an increase in funds available to assist small businesses.

Sims urges small businesses to visit the DCEO website for additional resources or contact DCEO’s First Stop Business Information Center Services at 800-252-2923 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..