The Art of Civility
Disagreeing Without Being Disagreeable
“Even when we disagree, it doesn’t mean we have to be disagreeable.”
That is the bedrock of Sen. Elgie Sims’ approach to working in the Illinois Legislature and beyond. To him, the concept of civility transcends mere politeness or tolerance, it originates from a place of authenticity and creates space for intentional dialogue.
“Civility is not the absence of impertinent or terse behavior, but the presence of respectful, empathetic and intentional behavior and dialogue that’s authentic,” Sims said.
“It involves focusing on issues rather than personal attacks, listening to different points of view, using measured language and avoiding inflammatory rhetoric, seeking common ground where possible, but also upholding democratic norms and institutional decorum.”
As a public servant, Sims believes there is a responsibility to exemplify civility and decorum in political spaces, not only for the sake of effective governance but also for the democracy that the next generation will inherit.
“When we’re in the Senate or on the House floor, those young people are in the gallery, and they’re watching,” Sims said. “They’re watching how we treat each other; they’re watching how we behave. As members of the legislature, we have a responsibility to show them that.”
From serving as the first African-American regent student representing Illinois State University to representing Illinois Senate District 17, Sims has always been drawn to work that makes a difference for others.
After graduating from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and opening his own practice, Sims got his start in public service representing the 34th District in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2012-18. He later transitioned to his current role in the Illinois State Senate, representing Chicago’s south side, south suburbs, and Will and Kankakee counties.
As a community leader and a public servant, Sims has emphasized people over politics, and he has a track record to prove it. He has worked across the aisle to get the work done and devoted time outside of the legislature to community causes that matter to him. During his time in office, Sims has championed legislation to create jobs, provide relief for those in need, improve schools, strengthen the state’s economic standing and improve civic relations.
In 2023, Sims sponsored a landmark criminal justice reform bill, the SAFE-T Act, which made Illinois the first state to eliminate cash bail. This reform package included provisions like diverting low-level drug crimes into substance use programs, requiring health and wellness services for officers and more, setting a new standard of decorum for the state’s justice system. He also led efforts to improve relations between his community and law enforcement through the Police and Community Relations Improvement Act (2023), establishing new training and guidelines for police officers.
In 2024, Sims led a fiscal plan that landed the state approximately $125 million above the projected fiscal year 2024 General Funds revenue estimates.
Actions such as these at the state level can serve as a model for others, according to Sims. By mirroring success- ful legislation, fellow states, and even U.S. Congress, effec- tively serve constituents by demonstrating an interest in putting the best ideas and solutions into practice.
“I look at our state legislatures as just what they are: the laboratories of democracy,” Sims said. “We can do and try things here at the state level that should, and often does, flow up to our cousins in Congress. I think we’ve got a responsibility to mirror the behavior that we want to see.”
Sims attributes these accolades not to himself, but to the notion that responsible governance exists to serve the people.
“Responsible governance looks like a couple of things: it’s transparent, it’s accountable, it’s responsible and it’s ethical,” Sims said. “People often want to know that you have their best interests at heart and you’re not trying to serve your own self-interests. Being able to do what’s in the best interest of our community, that’s really what drives me every day.”
The outstanding contributions of Sims have garnered recognition from local and national organizations. This year, he was honored by the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation with its inaugural Good Government Award. Named in honor of former Republican Gov. Jim Thompson and former Democratic Senate President Phil Roth, this award highlights Sims’ remarkable ability to overlook party lines and focus on the broader vision of governance.
Leslie Corbett, executive director of the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, said that because of his nonpartisan nature, Sims was the perfect recipient for the inaugural award.
“Sen. Sims was perfect for this award because he does work across the aisle. In all of our interactions with him and what I’ve seen elsewhere, he’s just a professional in every word,” Corbett said. “He’s compassionate. He’s caring. He makes you feel that you’ve been listened to. He has to make hard decisions, but you know those decisions will be based on facts and needs versus just playing politics. That’s why we decided to give him our inaugural Good Government Award this year.”
– Executive Director of the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation Leslie Corbett
As a legislator, incorporating different perspectives is necessary when develop- ing policy that will govern people from varying backgrounds. By embracing this diversity of thought, specifically when working across the aisle, lawmakers are able to craft more effective solutions that reflect the needs of their communities.
“Even when I have a different perspective, I can recognize your perspective,” Sims said. “I can recognize your humanity. I can recognize that you represent a district that is different than mine, and we come to common ground.”
Finding common ground is at the forefront of Sims’ policymaking process, and by acknowledging these diverse perspectives, he believes we can identify shared values that connect us all and create policies that benefit everyone.
“So how do we work together,” Sims asked. “My district has urban, suburban and rural, and it doesn’t match your district’s needs exactly, but how do we find those common threads that all of us can agree to? How do we get to those collaborations that will make the policy better for everybody?”
In today’s ever-changing and divisive era of politics, Sims believes that state leaders must take on the responsibility of asking those important questions. He believes that the power of civility — even through small gestures — is vital for driving positive change and bridging the divide.
“I’ve heard reactions from folks who believe it’s pollyannish to think that civility can somehow be achieved in today’s polarized environment, but I would say I don’t believe that at all,” Sims said. “I believe that we have a responsibility to engage in those kinds of activities that would help us to find that common ground. The basic foundation of civility is placing emphasis on being authentic in our conversations, seeing someone else’s perspective, but also making sure that we are acting in a way that will allow us to move forward together.”
What sets the senator apart from others is his unwavering passion for the work and his admiration for the institutions of law and government. For Sims, the real sense of pride comes from fulfilling the legacy of those who came before him.
“I love being a member of the Illinois Senate. I revere the institution. I still get goosebumps when I walk onto the floor of the Illinois Senate because I realize I stand on the shoulders of some giants,” Sims said. “You know, Adelbert Roberts, who was also a fraternity brother of mine and the first African-American member of the Illinois Senate. Some of the work that I do now in criminal justice reform, Sen. Roberts was doing in the early 1900s. People like Cecil Partee, who was the first African-American Senate president, and Harold Washington, who was the first black mayor of the city of Chicago.”
In many ways, Sims’ civility is both an homage to those giants who opened the doors and to those who will follow in his footsteps, referencing the blueprint of authenticity and civility he leaves behind in hopes that it will continue to be passed down for generations to come.
