Polling Average
30%25%20%15%10%5%0%
7.1%
24.1%
15.7%
13.8%
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
$515.0K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderMale
LocationIllinois
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BackgroundIllinois State Senator
EducationAmherst College (B.A.)
Notable personal detailsMike Simmons is a Democratic politician serving in the Illinois Senate representing the 7th District since February 6, 2021. He previously worked as a staffer for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and held policy roles in Cook County and Chicago city government. He is also a small business owner and founded Blue Sky Strategies, a public policy and consulting firm. In 2025, he filed to run for U.S. House in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District for the 2026 cycle.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govilga.govmikesimmons.orgen.wikipedia.orgaxios.comillinoisdelivered.comchicago.suntimes.comlobbyvault.comnews.medill.northwestern.eduilsos.govreddit.comnprillinois.orgsenatormikesimmons.commikesimmons.squarespace.comillinoissenatedemocrats.comloyolaphoenix.comcapitolfax.comwglt.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgdonate.ballotpedia.orgballotready.orgwikidata.orgdurbin.senate.govschakowsky.house.govhouse.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgbost.house.govdemocrats-intelligence.house.govcongress.govgovinfo.govindian.senate.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.
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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 updatedMar 14, 2026
Mike Simmons is in the news as one of the many Democrats running in the crowded primary to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. The race has turned into a wide-ranging debate over affordability, with candidates emphasizing ways to lower costs for things like healthcare and housing. The campaign has also drawn attention to the role of outside money and broader questions about representation in the district as its demographics change, ahead of the March 17, 2026 primary.
fec.gov+33
Articles
CTChicago Tribune3 months ago
Big money, national issues fuel Illinois 9th district Dem primary
Neutral
CTChicago Tribune4 months ago
Consider all demographic groups when voting
Neutral
SLShaw Local Enewspapers3 months ago
Most Democrats in 9th Congressional race cite affordability as top issue
Neutral
CTChicago Tribune4 months ago
Illinois 9th District race tests long Jewish legacy
Neutral
Polls
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$466.0K
$349.5K
$233.0K
$116.5K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$466.0K
$7.4K
$458.6K
$30.6K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements