In recognition of his leadership and career in public service, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. was inducted Friday into the Illinois State University College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame.

“It is an honor and a privilege to join the scores of trailblazers who represent the Redbird community with pride,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “I look forward to continuing the strong partnership with our state’s public universities to promote educational excellence and academic success in the years ahead.”

The ISU College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame honors current and past members of the ISU Arts and Sciences community. The award recognizes outstanding professional leadership, national or international recognition, outstanding service to the institution and proof that inductees’ work is beneficial to a significant segment of society.

Sims earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Illinois State University and remains an active member of the ISU community. While attending ISU, Sims held several leadership positions in the Eta Tau chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, leading the group to receive numerous state and regional awards. His positions with the Student Body Board of Directors, National Pan Hellenic Council and Black Student Union helped him to further develop the leadership skills he would use throughout his career in public service. As a student, Sims was also elected to serve as Student Trustee, the first African American student to ever hold the position, and worked with the Board of Trustees to guide the university during years of significant growth. In recognition of his efforts as a student leader, Sims was inducted into the Illinois State University Division of Student Affairs Hall of Fame in 2015.

Sims, an attorney by trade, has built a reputation for bringing people together to solve complex challenges and deliver meaningful results for working families.

In the General Assembly, Sims serves as Majority Appropriations Leader, lead budgeteer, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a leading voice on fiscal responsibility, criminal justice reform, economic development, public safety and government accountability. Among his legislative accomplishments are efforts to strengthen law enforcement accountability through body-worn camera policies, expand access to mental health services through the implementation of the 988 crisis response system, improve opportunities for historically underserved communities and advance responsible state budgeting that has helped improve the state’s long-term fiscal stability and credit standing.

A full list of Hall of Fame inductees can be found here.