CHICAGO – Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the governor signed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget into law:
“The budget signed today builds upon our strong, smart spending decisions of recent years that have led Illinois to not just one credit upgrade – but nine.
“I am proud of the steps we took to continue Illinois on the right path. We didn’t just look at fiscal outcomes, but prioritized our most vulnerable populations – educating our young people, keeping our communities safe, creating good jobs, and growing our economy.
“Continuing our principled and disciplined approach will keep our fiscal house in order. I am committed to doing the work necessary to ensure that Illinois continues to enact responsible budgets and remains on the path toward fiscal stability, investing in and uplifting marginalized people, all while prioritizing our communities and people who need the most assistance.”
SPRINGFIELD – To streamline a fair and just pretrial process, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. collaborated with the court system to enhance the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services through a measure he passed through the Senate Sunday.
“The Office of Statewide Pretrial Services will serve as a beacon of fairness, equity and efficiency in this critical phase of the legal process,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “By assessing risk rather than wealth, the office will ensure that pretrial decisions are rooted in principles of justice, not financial privilege.”
Following the passage of the Pretrial Fairness Act in 2021, the Illinois Supreme Court created the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services. It employs pretrial service officers who conduct pretrial investigations and provide pretrial supervision. To date, the office has completed 11,932 investigations and 11,607 defendants have been ordered to its supervision.
Sims’ measure would codify the office into law, allowing it to provide pretrial services to circuit courts and counties that don’t currently have pretrial services agencies. It further would ensure the office creates – and enforces – uniform standards to pretrial services.
Sims played an instrumental part in Illinois’ transition toward a new pretrial system that allows courts to hold violent offenders who would ordinarily be able to use cash to pay for release through the passage of the SAFE-T Act.
“We must ensure that every individual, regardless of background or circumstance, is afforded the same rights and opportunities during the pretrial phase,” said Sims. “The Office of Statewide Pretrial Services will play a vital role in upholding the presumption of innocence, safeguards due process, and champions the values upon which our legal system was founded.”
House Bill 4621 passed the Senate Sunday.
SPRINGFIELD – To streamline a fair and just pretrial process, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is collaborating with the court system to enhance the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services.
“The Office of Statewide Pretrial Services will serve as a beacon of fairness, equity and efficiency in this critical phase of the legal process,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “By assessing risk rather than wealth, the office will ensure that pretrial decisions are rooted in principles of justice, not financial privilege.”
Following the passage of the Pretrial Fairness Act in 2021, the Illinois Supreme Court created the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services. It employs pretrial service officers who conduct pretrial investigations and provide pretrial supervision. To date, the office has completed 11,932 investigations and 11,607 defendants have been ordered to its supervision.
Sims’ measure would codify the office into law, allowing it to provide pretrial services to circuit courts and counties that don’t currently have pretrial services agencies. It further would ensure the office creates – and enforces – uniform standards to pretrial services.
Sims played an instrumental part in Illinois’ transition toward a new pretrial system that allows courts to hold violent offenders who would ordinarily be able to use cash to pay for release through the passage of the SAFE-T Act.
“We must ensure that every individual, regardless of background or circumstance, is afforded the same rights and opportunities during the pretrial phase,” said Sims. “The Office of Statewide Pretrial Services will play a vital role in upholding the presumption of innocence, safeguards due process, and champions the values upon which our legal system was founded.”
House Bill 4621 passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.
SPRINGFIELD – Senator Elgie Sims proclaimed May 1, 2024 as Alpha Phi Alpha Day– recognizing the significant contributions made by the fraternity, particularly in the areas of service, leadership and community empowerment.
"I am proud to recognize Alpha Phi Alpha for their unwavering dedication to uplifting communities and fostering positive change," said Sims (D-Chicago). "Their commitment to service and excellence serves as a guiding light for us all, and I am honored to proclaim May 1 as Alpha Phi Alpha Day in Illinois."
Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for Black men, was founded on Dec. 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Since its inception, the fraternity has been dedicated to the principles of scholarship, manly deeds, and love for all mankind, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless individuals across the country.
Sims, a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha, led Senate Resolution 931 to recognize the fraternity's longstanding commitment to social justice, civil rights, and community service. Through initiatives such as Project Alpha, which aims to educate young men about the importance of responsible fatherhood and healthy lifestyles, and the fraternity's ongoing support for historically Black colleges and universities, Alpha Phi Alpha continues to make a profound impact on society.
“Today we honor the fraternity's legacy of leadership and service while encouraging all citizens to reflect on the principles of brotherhood, scholarship, and service that Alpha Phi Alpha represents,” said Sims.
Senate Resolution 931 was adopted Thursday.
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