Sims launches summer reading program

CHICAGO – To emphasize the importance of learning throughout the summer, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is hosting a Summer Book Club to encourage students to read and continue their studies during the summer vacation.

“Becoming a stronger reader will benefit kids in school and in life for years to come,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Keeping young minds active during summer break can help maintain critical literacy skills when school isn’t in session.”

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’ office by Aug. 15. Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card and certificate from Sims.

To participate, people can pick up a form at a local library, call Sims’ office at 773-933-7715 to request a form by mail or you may download and print a pdf of the form here. People can also fill out the form virtually by clicking here.

Sims urges interested residents to call his office with any additional questions.

Sims: FY 26 budget is a reflection of our priorities and the uncertainty we face

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget:

“Through our unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility over recent years, Illinois has engineered a remarkable financial turnaround that marks a defining moment in our state's economic history. However, no state is safe from the chaos and uncertainty coming out of Washington, D.C.  

“When we began negotiations for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, we took a serious look at the crisis we are facing with the understanding that fiscal responsibility is about tackling what is in front of us. This budget is simply that: a reflection of our priorities and the uncertainty that is in front of us.

“This budget reflects our shared values and our commitment to making Illinois a better place to live, work and raise a family – investing in the whole person. I am proud to have led a balanced budget that addresses our current needs.”

Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget builds upon the responsible spending decisions we have made and balanced budgets we have passed in recent years. It is a balanced budget that is reflective of our state’s priorities, while also taking into account the harsh reality and uncertainty we are facing from the federal administration.  

Highlights

Early Childhood Education

• $777 million for the Child Care Assistance Program to assist families across the state in affording child care
• $748 million for the ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant to extend access to support services and high-quality preschool slots for families with children up to age three
• $21.7 million to operate the Department of Early Childhood

K-12 Education

• Continues to fully fund the evidence-based funding model for K-12 education
• $1.3 million increase for career and technical education programs
• $35 million for after school programs
• $5 million for the teaching mentorship program, $30 million to the Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot Program, and $8 million to the Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship to tackle the ongoing teacher shortage

Higher Education

• $721 million for Monetary Award Program (MAP) funding

• In Fiscal Year 2026, a projected 151,000 students could benefit from MAP Grants – up from 126,864 in 2019.

• $50 million to the AIM High Grant Program
• $2.5 million for the Common Application Partnership Initiative – or Common App – to make applying for college easier and more streamlined

Violence Prevention and Public Safety

• Funding to hire and train 200 new state troopers – a total of two new cadet classes
• $180 million to the Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) program
• $70 million to build up the Reimagine Public Safety grant program
• $495 million to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

Health and Human Services

• $600 million for safety net hospitals
• $100 million for the child tax credit for eligible low-income families with EITC
• $15 million for the Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program
• $268 million for HOME Illinois

Economic Development and Infrastructure

• $5 million to the Illinois Grocery Initiative
• $75 million will go toward enhancing youth employment opportunities
• $7.5 million to the Fast-Track Workforce program to provide employee screening, recruitment and job training development to employers
• $10 million for the Made in Illinois program – a game-changing opportunity for small and mid-sized manufacturers to access up to $50,000 in matching funds to support innovation and strategic technological advancements

Sims to put an end to unwanted automatic sales calls

SPRINGFIELD – We’ve all been there: at work, hanging out with the family or trying to relax when you get a call from an unknown number trying to sell you a product. State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is working to put an end to these automatic sales calls – in turn providing consumers with greater peace and protection.

“Our cellphones are meant to connect us with friends and family to conduct business but they’re slowly being turned into relentless advertising channels we didn’t sign up for,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “We’re going to put control back in the hands of consumers by protecting them from unwanted and intrusive automatic sales calls.”

Under House Bill 2435, companies could not use automatic dialing to sell Illinoisans goods and services unless the person expressly consented to be contacted in that manner. People across the country receive about 50 billion robocalls a year, with a less than 2% success rate – signaling a desire from residents to no longer receive the calls.

“An unwanted sales call during our rare times of privacy is no different than someone knocking on the door to sell you something while you’re having dinner with your kids,” said Sims. “This is a basic consumer protection bill.”

House Bill 2435 passed the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee.

Sims works to give youth who commit non-violent crimes resources to get back on track

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is leading efforts to ensure youth who commit non-violent crimes are given a second chance.

“Providing youth with the opportunity to develop positive behaviors should be the foundation of our efforts to prevent further crime and violence,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Too often, young people veer off the path toward healthy adult lives because they aren’t provided the resources they need to stay on track.”

Under Sims’ measure, people under the age of 18 who committed a non-violent crime would be provided a number of resources, including employment opportunities, educational resources, parental mentorship training and more through the Department of Juvenile Justice.

“Ensuring youth have the ability to succeed and move forward by providing them the positive resources they need to support the development of their talents and resilience, leading them to better, healthier lives,” said Sims. “The support provided by this measure will not only save young lives, but will help to build better, safer communities.”

Senate Bill 2418 passed the Senate Wednesday with bipartisan support.