Overview
Illinois State Senator, Elgie Sims is Of Counsel and government relations and public policy lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP. Elgie focuses his practice on government affairs and municipal finance as a member of the firm’s Government Solutions and Public Finance Practices. He has an extensive background representing clients and spearheading complex legislative initiatives before various branches of federal, state and local governments.
Public Service
Elgie is serving his first term as State Senator of Illinois’ 17th Legislative District after having served four terms as State Representative of Illinois’ 34th House District. He currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Chairman of the Subcommittee on CLEAR Compliance and as a member of the Appropriations I and II, Criminal Law and Telecommunications and Information Technology Committees. He is also a member of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, the revenue forecasting arm of the Illinois General Assembly. As former budget director to Illinois Senate Democrats, he helped put millions of dollars toward funds for education, capital improvements, health care initiatives, and economic development. Over the course of his service in the Illinois General Assembly, he has championed legislation focused on improving the quality of Illinois schools, creating economic opportunities and improving our state’s criminal justice system. Elgie also serves as 1st Vice-Chairman and Chair-Elect of the Council of State Governments Midwest, a nonpartisan association of state officials serving all three branches of government promoting excellence in state government through the exchange of ideas to help state officials in 11 Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces shape public policy. He is also an active member of the National Conference of State Legislatures, serving as a member of the Law, Criminal Justice, and Public Safety Committee among others.
Experience
Elgie focuses his practice on government affairs and municipal finance as a member of the firm’s Government Solutions and Public Finance Practices.
Government Affairs
As part of his government affairs work, Elgie focuses on assisting, advocating for and advising clients on various issues related to procurement, business certification, regulatory compliance, and legislative matters. He has extensive policy experience in areas of public finance, infrastructure, energy, education, housing, telecommunications, and healthcare.
Public Finance
Elgie focuses his public finance practice in municipal finance law, providing counsel for capital projects and infrastructure improvements, economic development, and environmental response projects, and local, state, and federal tax matters. He has served various roles in nearly $3 billion in public and private finance transactions, including:
- Issuer’s Counsel for $729.6 million in Dedicated Capital Improvement Tax Bonds, Series 2016 for the Chicago Board of Education
- Issuer’s Counsel for $562.3 million in Dedicated Revenue Unlimited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2018A and 2018B for the Chicago Board of Education
- Disclosure Counsel for $275 million in Grant Anticipation Revenue Notes, Series 2017A for the Chicago Board of Education
- Bond Counsel for $165 million in Illinois Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2017 for Cook County, State of Illinois
- Disclosure Counsel for $112 million in Grant Anticipation Revenue Notes, Series 2017B for the Chicago Board of Education
Higher Education
He has an extensive background in higher education and public finance matters, having previously represented both public and private institutions of higher education. Additionally, he served as a Student Trustee on the Illinois Board of Regents, the governing Board for Illinois State University, Northern Illinois University, and Sangamon State University, the precursor to the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Community Engagement
Elgie is an active member of many civic organizations with missions to improve the quality of life for the communities they serve. As a community leader, he has worked to provide scholarships and books to children in need and to make Illinois communities safer.
Education
A law graduate of Loyola University Chicago, School of Law, he also earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Illinois – Springfield, and a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University.
Recognition
- Excellence in Public Service Award, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – 2017
- John W. Maitland, Jr. Leadership Award, Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization – 2017
- Legislative Service Award, Illinois Probation and Court Services Association – 2017
- CAARE Visionary Award, Safer Foundation – 2017
- Public Official of the Year, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police – 2017
- Most Distinguished Men of Illinois, Continuing Academic Training Program – 2018
Admissions
Elgie is admitted to practice in Illinois and before the United States Supreme Court.