Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2027 budget:

“Despite the reality that the federal government is abandoning its partnership with Illinois and its local partners, this balanced budget reflects the kind of disciplined choices the people we represent expect: preparing for uncertainty, restoring property tax relief and continuing to fund the programs people rely on.

“As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I knew we couldn’t sit by while children in our state go hungry because of the cruel actions of the federal administration. That’s why we worked to make sure this budget not only strengthens vital safety net programs – but also lays a foundation for Illinois to step up where the federal government has stepped away.

“A state-level emergency SNAP replacement benefit will strike at the root causes of hunger so people can put food on the table, protecting thousands of vulnerable families from having to make the impossible choice between food and other basic necessities.

“Education is the foundation for lifelong success. From record funding for college financial aid to critical investments to launch the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood, we are continuing to put the children and families of our state first with this budget.

“Despite the unprecedented chaos of historic federal cuts nationwide, Illinois has pushed forward — crafting a budget that cements us as the best state in the nation to work with dignity, live with freedom and raise a family.”

People who have been exonerated in Illinois would have a clearer path to financial stability and support under a landmark measure led by State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. that has passed the Senate.

“For three out of the last four years, Illinois has led the nation in the number of wrongful convictions that have been overturned,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “When a system continues to fail individuals, families and entire communities, we need to step up and provide the accountability and support they need to begin to heal.”

Since 1989, there have been nearly 600 exonerations in Illinois – more than any other state. Current law has led to inconsistent and inadequate compensation awards for exonerated individuals, with an average award of $11,190 per year of wrongful imprisonment. According to the Illinois Innocence Project, one exoneree who was wrongfully imprisoned for nearly 27 years received an annual award of $5,985, while another who was wrongfully imprisoned for less than three years was awarded $35,562 per year.

Beyond financial compensation, many exonerees struggle to find stability after having lost irreplaceable years – including years of work experience and paychecks. The impact is felt beyond the individual, causing financial and emotional hardship for their children, families and entire communities who lose not just a loved one’s income but their presence in the home.

Sims is working to address the harms of wrongful imprisonment by raising state compensation for people who have been exonerated. His legislation would provide compensation of up to $50,000 per year of wrongful imprisonment, including time spent in pre-trial detention or a juvenile detention facility before a wrongful conviction, and $25,000 per year wrongfully spent on probation, parole or the sex offender registry.

“This is one more step in our fight to reshape the system that has failed so many families,” Sims added. “The reality is that the justice system has a dark history – but we have an opportunity now to forge a path forward that will make a difference in the lives of hundreds of Illinoisans who have experienced the injustice of a wrongful conviction.”

House Bill 3663 passed the Senate Sunday.

To emphasize the importance of learning throughout the summer, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is launching a Summer Book Club for children and young people who live in the 17th District.

“It’s always a joy to see young people develop their love for growing and learning new things,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Our book club is the perfect summertime opportunity for kids to set goals, experience new ideas and stay engaged, all while fostering a love for reading.”

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’ Chicago office by Friday, Aug. 14.

To protect incarcerated individuals’ access to communications with their loved ones, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. led a measure through the Senate to ensure they can’t be charged a fee to receive mail.

“When you have limited communication and contact with loved ones, every moment of human connection matters,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “No one should be able to make a profit from the disenfranchisement of others.”

Under a rule that took effect last year, correctional facilities in Illinois can withhold certain physical mail and instead provide incarcerated individuals with scanned copies of their mail. Under Sims’ measure, incarcerated individuals could not be charged any fees for incoming mail nor would they be charged more than regular U.S. postal rates for mail delivery.