State Senator Mike Simmons Embodies Rogers Park Representation

One night in 2020, Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons was making himself dinner when he heard voices in the streets outside his apartment. 

Simmons, a life-long resident of Chicago’s North Side, said he looked out his window and saw North Broadway Avenue filled with community members protesting the murder of George Floyd. Simmons said the movement happening — almost literally — in his backyard cemented his decision to advance his career in public service.

“I couldn’t remember a time in my life where I saw that level of beautiful civil disobedience happening in our neighborhoods on the far North Side, not even far from Loyola,” Simmons said. “And that was the spark that really motivated me to run for office. 

When Simmons was first elected in 2021 to represent Illinois State Senate District 7 — which includes Rogers Park, Edgewater, Uptown and Lincoln Square — he made history as the first Black person to serve District 7, the first openly gay member of the Illinois Senate, the first Ethiopian American to serve in the Illinois Legislature and the third gay, Black state senator in the nation. 

Simmons said he feels these aspects of his identity not only qualify him to represent the district but allow him the unique opportunity to promote policy reflective of the diversity, intersectionality and lived experiences of people on Chicago’s North Side. 

Since his election Simmons has passed legislation expanding accessibility for sexual healthcare, protecting patients from unnecessary medical bills and requiring caregivers to provide culturally competent hair care to children in foster care. 

“Growing up in Lincoln Square in a pretty working class, diverse community with lots of immigrants, you know, lots of people who were themselves first-generation Americans, really just taught me a deep appreciation for people and difference,” Simmons said. 

Simmons said this appreciation for diversity and community came from his mother, Ramona Rouse, a Chicago native who opened the business Salon Pastiche at 1228 W. Loyola Ave., which was the location of Archie’s Cafe. Simmons said he was exposed to a wide array of people from different backgrounds because of the salon, which Rouse ran for 25 years while raising Simmons and his sister.

Although his mother was never a “political lady,” Simmons said she inspired him to go into public service and give back to the community. He made the decision to run for state senator after her untimely death in January 2020 and said he’s now honored to be able to speak powerfully about displacement and gentrification as the son of a beloved woman in the community. 

His personal connection to 1234 W. Loyola Ave. as well as his advocacy against gentrification have informed Simmons’ outspokenness against Loyola’s plans to demolish the building, The Phoenix previously reported. 

“Loyola has an opportunity to help to rebirth a new generation that can experience the same things my family did,” Simmons said. “And I’ve been really, I don’t know, everything from heartbroken to perplexed to, now, angered that they don’t seem to get that.” 

Simmons said he hopes the outpouring of community support for the building will empower students to mobilize and become more active in local politics and the neighborhood at large

“So many students get it,” Simmons said. “So many people in Rogers Park and Edgewater and even Uptown, people all across the North Side are paying attention to this because this is how we lose our communities. This is how communities turn.” 

Gabby Tewodros, a Rogers Park native who graduated from Loyola with a bachelor’s of political science and government in December 2023, has worked as part of Simmons’ team. She now works as Simmons’ Operations and Outreach coordinator, which she said allows her to do a mix of casework, outreach and hospitality in the district. 

“I’ve had the blessing of knowing this area and Edgewater and the district that I now work in for my whole life,” Tewodros said. “I’m very proud of all that.” 

Tewodros said she first heard of Simmons while studying at Loyola and was intrigued by his progressive policies as well as their shared heritage. Twodros, like Simmons, is a descendant of Ethiopian immigrants. 

In August 2023, Tewodros attended Simmons’ annual back-to-school event, at which his office provides free food, school supplies and entertainment for North Side families. Tewodros said she was invited to the event by the owner of Ethiopian Diamond, who was catering the event. 

Sheepishly laughing at the memory, Tewodros recalled mistakenly thinking the event was a formal “gala,” prompting her to show up to Sullivan High School in fancy attire. 

“When I realized that this was not a gala and this was actually a back-to-school event I just volunteered myself to help out in any way I can,” Tewodros said. “I put down my blazer, rolled up my sleeves, and I just handed out food and tried to answer questions.” 

After the event, Tewodros became a paid intern at Simmons’ office in fall 2023 before being promoted to her full-time position in January. She said serving the community has been a humbling experience, as many constituents seek out their office for help accessing housing and healthcare. 

Simmons and Tewodros said their commitment to advocating for underprivileged community members comes from their lived experiences as community members themselves. 

Ebony DeBerry, a Rogers Park native and candidate for School Board in District 2, said she helped Simmons campaign in 2020 because of these lived experiences. After meeting Simmons and learning about his personal history, she said he had her full support. 

In addition to supporting local representation, DeBerry said she encourages others to give back to the community and fight for those who are marginalized and create a culture of selflessness and safety throughout Rogers Park. 

“Just tend to your own garden, right?” DeBerry said. “Like, who’s gonna do it if we don’t do it? How’s the next generation gonna be influenced to do it if they don’t see us doing it?”

Simmons echoed this emphasis on community involvement and support, especially from passionate members of Generation Z who have the time, energy and resources to advocate. 

“I feel so many things even as a state senator that I want to be outspoken and I want to, you know, fight the power,” Simmons said. “And I think young people — if they’re not doing it, no one is doing it.”