Senator Sims' Summer Book Club

Have you joined our summer book club? Read eight books to join me for a pizza party on Aug. 2. Find the book club brochure here: Sims' Summer Book Club.pdf

New Sims law to help prevent racial discrimination during traffic stops

CHICAGO—A plan designed to combat racial disparities during traffic stops in Illinois was signed into law Friday.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) spearheaded the legislation, which was originally sponsored by President Barack Obama when he served as a state senator. The plan aims to prevent racial discrimination by collecting data around police stops for drivers and pedestrians.

“Seeing flashing lights in the rearview mirror invokes fear for many, especially people of color, because of the numerous traffic stops that have turned deadly,” Sims said. “This important tool will help ensure that we’re revealing and preventing racial disparities in traffic stops throughout the state.”

The new law eliminates the sunset date for the traffic stop statistical study, which is currently set to end on July 1.

It also creates a task force to study the best data use of technology to collect and compile traffic stop statistical data. The task force must report to the governor and General Assembly by March 1, 2022, and every three years after.

“Together we are working to end racial bias during traffic stops, build police-community relations and guarantee the safety of both police and the communities they serve,” Sims said.

House Bill 1613 goes into effect immediately.

Sims commends governor for taking step to ensure all are counted in 2020 Census

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the governor signed an executive order for a comprehensive 2020 Census effort in Illinois:

“It is vital that all communities are accounted for in the next census. Minority communities historically have been underrepresented.

“I commend the governor for taking this crucial step to ensure that census data is as accurate as possible to provide the necessary resources for every community.

“As state leaders, we must do all we can to ensure that all of our communities are equally represented. This executive order will help guarantee that government funding helps all communities by making sure every single Illinoisan is accounted for in the upcoming census.”

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