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.

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.

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..

CHICAGO – For the fourth time in a year, Illinois has seen another improved bond rating. Fitch Ratings – one of the nation’s major credit rating agencies – announced upgrades Thursday thanks to the fiscally-responsible decisions made by Illinois Democrats.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) – who serves as the Senate’s lead budget negotiator and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee – released the following statement in response:

“When I look at the budget we passed last month, I see the work and years of fiscal responsibility paying off. We were able to pay down our bills and put money back in the pockets of the state’s hardworking families. Illinois is a stand-out state when it comes to putting the needs of our residents first – and we do so in a responsible, equitable way.

“Fitch’s two level rating upgrade shows our fiscally responsible budgeting approach is working and is independent proof that our state is headed in the right direction, our unemployment rate is down and we’ve added thousands of new jobs in key industries, like hospitality and professional services. Our future looks bright and I look forward to continued collaborative efforts with my colleagues to keep Illinois on this upward economic trajectory.”