Polling Average
30%25%20%15%10%5%0%
7.1%
24.1%
15.7%
13.8%
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
$1.1M
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderMale
LocationIllinois
Show moreShow less
BackgroundIllinois state senator
EducationSt. Ignatius College Prep
Notable personal detailsMike Simmons is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate representing the 7th District on Chicago’s North Side, first appointed in February 2021 and subsequently elected. He has worked in public policy and previously served as a policy director for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and as a staffer for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. In 2026 he ran as a Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District.
SourcesShowHide
ilga.govchicago.suntimes.comdocquery.fec.goven.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgil9.orgmikesimmons.orgillinoisdelivered.comcairaction.orgnews.medill.northwestern.eduaxios.comsenatormikesimmons.comreddit.comilsos.govillinoisfamily.orgfec.govnprillinois.orgmikesimmons.squarespace.comillinoissenatedemocrats.comloyolaphoenix.comcapitolfax.comwglt.orgonepeoplescampaign.orgnewswire.comevanstonroundtable.comdailynorthwestern.comevanstonnow.comchicagotribune.comthehill.compolitico.comoklahoman.comspectator.com.auinstagram.comfacebook.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgballotready.orgdurbin.senate.govhouse.govgovinfo.govclerk.house.govhistory.house.govcongress.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports refundable child tax credits and tax relief for working families, has advocated closing corporate tax loopholes, and has sponsored legislation to tax extremely high wealth to finance public programs such as free community college. Prioritizes policies aimed at reducing income inequality and expanding government investments in social programs and education.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to care through Medicaid expansion and other state-level reforms; champions universal health care principles and has sponsored legislation to remove cost barriers (e.g., eliminating copays for targeted screenings) and strengthen patient protections. Prioritizes investments in safety-net hospitals, community clinics, behavioral and mental health access, and bills that limit prior authorization and predatory insurance practices.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
Supports protections for immigrant communities and measures that limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement while expanding inclusion and access to services for immigrants. Has sponsored and promoted state-level legislation to remove dehumanizing language from statutes and backed laws and policies that constrain ICE activity and safeguard residents’ access to public services and courts. Has held outreach (town halls) to inform constituents about immigration rights and resources.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports codifying Roe v. Wade and expanding protections and capacity for abortion providers; backed repeal of parental notification requirements for minors and voted for Illinois laws shielding providers and patients seeking reproductive care (including abortion and IVF) from out-of-state legal actions.
Climate & Energy
Supports aggressive state-level clean-energy measures and transit electrification while advancing environmental health protections and climate resilience policies. Has sponsored and passed legislation to require zero-emission bus purchases by transit agencies, remove harmful chemicals from water, and improve protections related to lead service lines and severe-weather readiness.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports strong gun-safety measures including an assault-weapons ban, restrictions on high-capacity magazines, expanded firearm serialization and safe-storage initiatives, and extensions to firearm restraining-order (red flag) protections. Has actively sponsored and advocated for state legislation implementing those policies and convened survivors to inform policy development.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Mike Simmons is in the news because he is one of the Democrats running in Illinois’s 9th District primary, a crowded race to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky. The contest has drawn heavy spending and attention, with early voting running well ahead of previous primaries. Recent coverage also shows the broader Illinois primary producing some upsets for progressive candidates, adding to the uncertainty around the party’s direction.
ilga.gov+41
Articles
FNFox News4 months ago
Squad-backed Democrats lose Illinois primaries in progressive setback
Negative
N5NBC 5 Chicago4 months ago
Illinois 9th District U.S. House: Live election results
Neutral
CTChicago Tribune4 months ago
What to know for Tuesday's election
Neutral
N5NBC 5 Chicago5 months ago
See who will be on your ballot in the Illinois primary election
Neutral
Polls
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Mike Simmons for IL-09 Democratic nominee?
ONE People's Campaign
Political organization
ONE People's Campaign endorsed Mike Simmons in the Illinois' 9th Congressional District race.
American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC)
Political organization
American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee endorsed Mike Simmons for Congress in Illinois' 9th District.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$466.3K
$349.7K
$233.1K
$116.6K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$466.3K
$7.2K
$459.1K
$25.5K
Source: FEC