SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) took the oath of office and was sworn in for a new term Wednesday as the Illinois Senate officially began the 103^rd General Assembly. He released the following statement:

“I am humbled by the opportunity to serve my constituents and will continue working tirelessly to provide positive change in our community and across the state of Illinois. I am eager to continue my work on behalf of the amazing people and families of the 17^th District. In this session, my focus will be on growing economic opportunities, providing a quality education to all students, addressing the root causes of crime and community instability, including our continuing work to reform our state’s criminal justice system, preventing gun violence, and passing a full, balanced budget. Our agenda is full, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to improve the lives of all Illinoisans, because they deserve progress, and I stand ready to give it to them.”

SPRINGFIELD – Building upon the fiscally responsible budget decisions Democrats in Springfield have made in recent years, State Senator Elgie Sims, Jr. – the Senate’s lead budget negotiator – championed sending billions of dollars to mental health care, crime prevention, job creation and saving for our state’s future.

“This plan builds upon the responsible budget decisions and balanced budgets of the last few years. The state was able to pay off our bills, saw our credit rating improve and found itself with a sizeable surplus. We spent much of that surplus by putting $1.83 billion back in taxpayers’ pockets,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Even with that, we found ourselves with additional funding to provide even more assistance to address the needs facing communities and families across our state.”

The measure – found within House Bill 969 – promotes fiscal responsibility by putting additional revenue in the state’s Rainy Day Fund and spurs economic deployment by encouraging big employers to come to Illinois.

It also prioritizes the people and sectors who need help the most. To continue providing support for community-based organizations, nonprofits and the City of Chicago to respond to the challenges faced by asylum seekers arriving in Chicago sent by political leaders in other states, this bill provides $162 million for costs associated with care and services provided to these individuals and families.

“Illinois is a welcoming state – one that treats human beings with dignity and respect,” said Sims. “Because the state has prioritized responsible spending and payments to reduce our debt, resulting in a sizeable surplus, the ability to cover these costs is both the fiscally and morally responsible thing to do.”

Further, the supplemental budget prioritizes mental health services, affordable housing and public safety.

“Thanks to the remarkable strength and tenacity of the people of Illinois, our economy rebounded in a way we didn’t expect, and we ended up with additional revenue – even after the relief we provided to taxpayers,” said Sims. “Following the mess that was the Rauner budget impasse, we’ve been more conservative with our investments because we refused to make the same mistakes. I’m proud of the work before us.”

House Bill 969 passed the Senate Monday.

CHICAGO – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. was recently elected to serve as the National Vice-Chair of the Council of State Governments.

“It is an immense honor to have been elected by my colleagues from all 50 states to serve in this important position,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “I have derived much of my knowledge and skills from people I have met through the Council of State Governments and I am proud to help shape future generations of leaders.”

The Council of State Governments is the nation’s largest nonpartisan organization serving all three branches of state elected and appointed officials. The mission of the group is to champion excellence in state government.

In July, Sims was nominated by his peers at CSG’s Midwestern Legislative Conference to join the national leadership team. That nomination was approved in December at the CSG National Conference by the nonpartisan group’s executive committee.

Senator Sims has been involved with the Council of State Governments since 2012, when he served in the Illinois House of Representatives. He previously served as the group’s Midwest chair and hosted its regional conference in Chicago in July 2019.

“By joining forces with hundreds of other lawmakers from both sides of the aisle from all states, we will work to improve the quality of life for everyone who calls this great nation home,” said Sims. “I look forward to years of continued service with the Council of State Governments.”

Sims was elected to the position during the Council of State Governments’ national conference earlier this month. He will assume office Jan. 1, 2023 and is in line to be National Chair-Elect in 2024 and National Chair in 2025

CHICAGO – Following the death of his friend and colleague, Scott Bennett, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. released the following statement.

“To say that I am devastated by the loss of my friend and colleague Scott Bennett is an understatement. 

“Senator Bennett always led with much grace and dignity, and I will forever be grateful for his stewardship, partnership and friendship.

“Scott worked tirelessly on behalf of his constituents, evidenced most recently by his work on the subsequent trailer bills of the SAFE-T Act where he willingly sacrificed time with his family over the holiday weekend to improve the lives of people he would never meet. His service is indicative of his commitment to his District and the people of Illinois. 

“I will forever remember his smile, words of encouragement, quick wit and unmatched sense of humor. 

“My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Stacy, two children, and all who knew him. Scott loved the people he represented, but he loved his family more — they truly were his pride and joy. His legacy will forever live on.”