Photo of Elgie Sims
D Illinois Senate · District 17 On the 2026 ballot

Sen. Elgie Sims

Compare
Total votes
14,130
all sessions
Attendance
89%
1,300 missed
Near the chamber average
With party
99%
of cast votes
Higher than 84% of chamber peers
Bipartisan score
1%
crosses aisle rarely
Lower than 87% of chamber peers
Sponsored
1,647
bills & resolutions
Near the chamber average
Committees
6
assignments
1,647 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
1,647
Primary
607
Co-sponsor
1,040
This page
1,647
matching current filters
Co-sponsor HB 3249
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
FIRST 2019 GENERAL REVISORY

Creates the First 2019 General Revisory Act. Combines multiple versions of Sections amended by more than one Public Act. Renumbers Sections of various Acts to eliminate duplication. Corrects obsolete cross-references and technical errors. Makes stylistic changes. Effective immediately.

Signed into law Jul 12, 2019 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 1475
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
SEIZURE SMART SCHOOL ACT

Creates the Seizure Smart School Act. Provides for legislative findings and defines terms. Requires the parent or guardian of a student with epilepsy who seeks assistance with epilepsy-related care in a school setting to submit a seizure action plan with the student's school. Provides that a delegated care aide shall perform the activities and tasks necessary to assist a student with epilepsy in accordance with the student's seizure action plan. Requires training for school employees and delegated care aides. Requires that an information sheet be provided to any school employee who transports a student with epilepsy to a school-sponsored activity. Provides that a school district may not restrict the assignment of a student with epilepsy to a particular school on the basis that the school does not have a full-time school nurse and a school may not deny a student access to the school or any school-related activity on the basis that the student has epilepsy. Provides for school employee protection against retaliation, immunity, and rights under federal law. Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code to make a related change. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. House Committee Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Makes a change to the legislative findings. Changes the definition of "delegated care aide" to mean a school employee or paraprofessional who has agreed to receive training in epilepsy and assist a student in implementing his or her seizure action plan and who has entered into an agreement with a parent or guardian of that student. Limits the definition of "school employee" to include, among other persons, a person who is employed by a school district or school as a principal, administrator, guidance counselor, or teacher. Provides that the training of a delegated care aide shall include consultation with the student's parent or guardian and may include consultation with an epilepsy educator approved by the Epilepsy Foundation of America and training for school employees must be provided annually through approximately one hour of self-study review approved by the Epilepsy Foundation of America or by an epilepsy educator approved by the Epilepsy Foundation of America (rather than requiring training for school employees and delegated care aides to be provided by a trained health care provider with an expertise in epilepsy). Removes a provision requiring the principal of a school to coordinate the training of all delegated care aides. Provides that, if applicable, a seizure action plan (rather than an information sheet) must be provided to any school employee who transports a student with epilepsy to a school-sponsored activity; makes a conforming change. Requires a school employee to be in compliance with the training provisions of the Act in order to have immunity. Adds an effective date of July 1, 2020. House Floor Amendment No. 4 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill as amended by House Amendment No. 3 with the following changes. Provides that the definition of "school employee" may not be interpreted to require a school district, charter school, or nonpublic school to hire additional personnel for the sole purpose of the personnel to serve as a delegated care aide. Provides that if a student has been managing his or her epilepsy care in a school setting before the effective date of the Act, the student's parent or guardian may (rather than must) sign and submit a seizure action plan with the student's school. Provides that it is the responsibility of a student's parent or guardian to share the health care provider's instructions on the student's epilepsy management during the school day. Removes a provision requiring the seizure action plan to include the treating physician's, advanced practice registered nurse's, or physician assistant's instructions on the student's epilepsy management during the school day. Provides that a student's parent or guardian is responsible for informing the school, in a timely manner, of any changes to the student's seizure action plan and emergency contact information. Provides that the principal of a school shall facilitate the school's compliance with the provisions of a student's seizure action plan (rather than ensure that the school has at least one delegated care aide present and available at the school during all school hours and during school-sponsored activities). Provides that the training for school employees must be fully consistent with the best practice guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Provides that the training of a delegated care aide must be provided by a licensed health care provider with an expertise in epilepsy or an epilepsy educator who has successfully completed the relevant curricula offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (rather than must include consultation with the student's parent or guardian and may include consultation with an epilepsy educator approved by the Epilepsy Foundation of America). Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2020. House Floor Amendment No. 5 Removes a provision requiring training for school employees to be provided annually through approximately one hour of self-study review approved by the Epilepsy Foundation of America or by an epilepsy educator approved by the Epilepsy Foundation of America.

Signed into law Jul 12, 2019 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 907
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
IDPH-MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Directs the Department to create and maintain an online database and resource page on its website. Provides that the page shall contain mental health resources specifically geared towards school counselors, parents, and teachers with the goal of connecting those people with mental health resources related to bullying and school shootings and encouraging information sharing among educational administrators, school security personnel, and school resource officers. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 2310/2310-229 new Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 1705/76 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to create and maintain an online database and resource page on its website. Provides that the database and resource page shall contain mental health resources specifically geared toward school counselors, parents, and teachers with the goal of connecting those people with mental health resources related to bullying and school shootings and encouraging information sharing among educational administrators, school security personnel, and school resource officers. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that the online database and resource page shall also be geared toward school social workers and school support personnel.

Signed into law Jul 12, 2019 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 831
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
CHILD ABUSE REPORTS-DPH-DHFS

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that within 10 days after completing an investigation of alleged physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect, if the report is unfounded or indicated, the Child Protective Service Unit shall send a copy of its final finding report to the Director of Public Health and the Director of Healthcare and Family Services. Requires the Director of Public Health and the Director of Healthcare and Family Services to ensure that the report remains confidential. In a provision that grants the Department of Public Health and other investigative bodies access to records concerning child abuse and neglect reports, removes language that requires the Director of Children and Family Services to approve such access. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 325 ILCS 5/8.7 new Adds reference to: 325 ILCS 5/4.4c new 325 ILCS 5/7.4 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.4 325 ILCS 5/7.8 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that whenever the Department of Children and Family Services receives, by means of its statewide toll-free telephone number established for the purpose of reporting suspected child abuse or neglect or by any other means or from any mandated reporter, a report of suspected abuse or neglect of a child and the child is alleged to have been abused or neglected while receiving care in a hospital, including a freestanding psychiatric hospital licensed by the Department of Public Health, the Department of Children and Family Services shall: (i) notify the Directors of Public Health and Healthcare and Family Services of the report; and (ii) send a copy of the final finding to the Directors of Public Health and Healthcare and Family Services. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall receive information from unfounded reports involving children alleged to have been abused or neglected while hospitalized, including while hospitalized in freestanding psychiatric hospitals licensed by the Department of Public Health, as necessary for the Department of Public Health to conduct its licensing investigation. In a provision that grants the Department of Public Health and other investigative bodies access to records concerning child abuse and neglect reports, removes language that requires the Director of Children and Family Services to approve such access.

Signed into law Jul 12, 2019 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 1606
In committee · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
$STATE APPELLATE DEFEND-GRANT

Appropriates $3,500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the State Appellate Defender for a grant program to assist counties in providing public defenders to implement bail reform provisions of Public Act 100-1. Effective July 1, 2019.

In committee Jul 3, 2019 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SR 419
In committee · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
ILLINOIS-CLIMATE CHANGE

Urges the State of Illinois to play an important role in addressing climate change.

In committee Jul 3, 2019 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 766
In committee · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
TRANSPORTATION-TECH

Amends the Heroes Way Designation Program Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

In committee Jul 3, 2019 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 1838
In committee · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
SCH DISTRICT EFFICIENCY COMM

Amends the School Code. Creates the School District Efficiency Commission. Provides for the membership and support of the Commission. Requires the Commission to make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on the number of school districts in this State, the optimal amount of enrollment for a school district, and where reorganization and realignment of school districts would be beneficial in this State; specifies the topics on which the recommendations must focus. Provides that, on or before May 1, 2020, the Commission must vote on its recommendations and submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Provides that if the Commission adopts the report recommendations by an affirmative vote of at least 11 of its members, then the Commission's recommendations for reorganization of school districts into unit school districts must be placed on the ballots of the designated school districts in the next general election in the same manner as petitions approved by a regional superintendent of schools, except without financial incentives. Provides that the Commission is dissolved the day after the report is filed with the Governor and the General Assembly. Repeals the provision on February 1, 2021. Makes a conforming change in the Conversion and Formation of School Districts Article. Effective immediately.

In committee Jul 3, 2019 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 2091
In committee · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
HGHR ED-EARLY CHILDHOOD GRANT

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that, beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission must implement and administer a program to award Early Childhood Workforce Free College grants to all eligible child care workers seeking an associate or bachelor's degree from a public institution or a regionally accredited, online-only early childhood education degree program; defines terms. Specifies grant eligibility and renewal requirements. Creates the Early Childhood Workforce Advisory Committee to advise the Commission on all matters relating to the Early Childhood Workforce Free College grant program and on the ways to improve and expand the early childhood workforce in this State. Provides for the membership and support of the Committee and requires the Committee to (i) study and make recommendations to the Commission that are related to the implementation of the Early Childhood Workforce Free College grant program, (ii) conduct an analysis from data received by the Commission to ensure the program is at full utilization, (iii) address access issues to the program, including, but not limited to, geographic, financial, cultural, and workplace settings, and (iv) address ways to expand the early childhood workforce in this State. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Early Childhood Workforce Free College Fund. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Expands the definition of "child care worker". Changes the definition of "early childhood degree program" to a regionally accredited degree program (rather than online degree program) administered solely through an Illinois-based, not-for-profit organization or through a public institution through which a child care worker may attain a degree or credential or maintain a classroom role in any child care or early childhood education setting, including a Child Development Associate Credential program or an Early Childhood Education (ECE) degree program. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to implement and administer the Early Childhood Workforce Free College grant program beginning with the 2020-2021 (rather than 2019-2020) academic year and subject to appropriation. Provides that, if other eligibility requirements are met, an eligible child care worker seeking to enroll in an alternative educator licensure program under the School Code is eligible for a grant under the program. Removes a provision allowing for exceptions to a student's initial enrollment in a public institution or an early childhood degree program for extenuating circumstances as provided in rules by the Commission. Provides that, in awarding grants under the program, if, in any fiscal year, the amount appropriated for the grants is less than the amount determined necessary to cover the cost of attendance for all eligible applicants, then the Commission must proportionately reduce the grants accordingly (rather than must develop the selection and renewal criteria for students). Requires the Illinois Early Learning Council (rather than the Commission) to provide the Early Childhood Workforce Advisory Committee with administrative and other support. Makes other changes. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1 with the following changes. Changes the definition of "early childhood degree program". Provides that if a student chooses to enroll in a private institution, the grant awarded to the student under the program shall be no more than 150% of the highest rate paid on behalf of students in a similar program at a public institution to cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees, less all other student aid. Provides that after completion of or disenrolling from his or her program of study, a student must reside and work within this State in a child care or early childhood education setting for a minimum of one year. Provides that if the student does not reside and work within this State for a minimum of one year, the student must repay the total grant amount awarded to him or her through installments in accordance with rules adopted by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Creates the Early Childhood Workforce Free College Advisory Committee (rather than the Early Childhood Workforce Committee), established by the Illinois Early Learning Council; changes the membership of the Committee and the Committee's duties. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

In committee Jul 3, 2019 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 2142
In committee · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

Creates the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Act. Provides that the purpose of the Council is to facilitate communication between the youth of the State of Illinois and the elected branches of State government regarding the issues, interests, and needs important to youth in the State of Illinois. Creates an Advisory Board, consisting of 2 members of the House of Representatives, one each appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and 2 members of the Senate, one each appointed by the President of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the Senate, to facilitate the functions of the Council. Provides for the application and nomination process for prospective members of the Council. Sets forth membership and meeting requirements and the powers of the Council. Provides that members of the Council shall serve one-year terms, but may be re-elected if they continue to be nominated and qualified to serve as members. Provides for the election of a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Clerk at the first Council meeting of the year. Requires the Council to submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Governor. Creates the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that all moneys in the Fund shall be used to reimburse Council members for actual expenses incurred in traveling to Council meetings, including travel, food, and lodging, and printing the annual report. Amends the State Finance Act. Adds the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Fund. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides for the appointment of specified persons to the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council by the Governor. Modifies provisions concerning Council member qualifications. Removes provisions concerning the nomination and appointment of members to the Council by State Senators. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes.

In committee Jul 3, 2019 1 co-sponsor
Showing 1,151 to 1,160 of 1,647 bills