Congressional Catch-Up: Mike Simmons

Having grown up in scatter-site housing in Lincoln Square, Mike Simmons believes he has the “deepest lived experiences” to fight for the communities of the Illinois’ Ninth Congressional District (IL-09).

During his time in the state senate, Simmons has sponsored several bills relating to the issues he supports.

Economy

Simmons thinks people are disillusioned with their representatives. He would introduce legislation to tax billionaire assets, ban offshore tax havens, guarantee employees the ability to bargain for their employment, safety and security and raise the minimum wage to $25 per hour.

Simmons said he also plans to fight for universal healthcare.

Immigration

He thinks ICE should be dismantled, and the funding currently going into the organization should instead go to bringing down the cost of healthcare and funding medicaid, educational assistance programs and housing.

As the son of an asylum seeker, Simmons believes the country should be a haven for persecuted people from all over the world. His vision of immigration reform includes increasing H-1B1 visas, increasing the number of refugees who can be resettled in the U.S., reversing Trump’s restrictions and expanding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Young Voters

Simmons thinks Trump used social media to tap into people’s — specifically young men’s — angers and anxieties to win the 2024 election. He also thinks Democrats need to speak from lived experiences. 

One such experience many young people face is affordability. Simmons supports canceling student debt and ensuring community college is free for all. He also supports increasing Pell grants and thinks higher education is a human right.

Protecting Democracy

Simmons views Trump as the biggest threat to democracy, along with the Make America Great Again movement.

In Congress, Simmons would support expanding the Voting Rights Act by making Election Day a national holiday as well as Supreme Court reform — ethical provisions and ending lifetime appointments. Additionally, he would bring forth legislation to create public financing or a small dollar match program, so more people can run for public office without having to call on corporate donors or take money from special interest groups.

Gaza, Israel, and the Age Divide

Simmons thinks elected officials should reflect the “real moral clarity” the constituents of IL-09 have and express the same outrage with the Israel-Hamas conflict. Simmons believes the actions committed by Israel are a genocide.

As a congressman, Simmons said he would support the Block the Bombs Act. He thinks the U.S. should stop arms sales to Israel and should support full Palestinian human and civil rights and thinks both Israel and Palestine can be peaceful places to live. 

Abortion

The state senator thinks the government should codify Roe v. Wade. He said he will secure funds to expand the capacity of reproductive rights clinics.

Climate Change

Simmons is a strong supporter of the Green New Deal. He thinks the government should deploy renewable energy sources through the construction and transportation sectors with the ultimate goal of reducing carbon emissions.

Most Important Issue
Simmons thinks people are tired of “business as usual” democrats. He thinks his lived experiences — being born and raised in public housing in the IL-09 and a Black LGBTQ+ American — and legislative record attest to his ability to represent his constituents.