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* I am a fierce hair libertarian. I think I’ve told you the story about how the lunch ladies refused to serve me in grade school because I had bangs. My father gave me never-ending grief about the length of my hair when I was in high school and beyond.

So, I decided very early in life that I would never be judgmental about someone else’s hair. Punk rock spikes? Cool by me. Women and balding men shaving their heads? Awesome option. Daughter shows up one day with dyed hair? Smile and suggest she try some other colors.

So, I gotta say I’m kinda loving the hairdo on newly appointed Illinois Sen. Mike Simmons. He’ll most definitely stand out in that otherwise staid chamber. Who knows, maybe he’ll even start a new legislative trend. His official photo…

He definitely has a certain panache. Let’s give him a friendly welcome.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:29 am

Comments

Hair’s to you, Senator Simmons! Looking forward to seeing all you accomplish!

Comment by SubRosa Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:32 am
Like the hair but love the genuine smile

Comment by Interim Retiree Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:33 am
Great day for Illinois. Congrats to Senator Simmons.

Any chance he can share office space with Senator Bailey and help him see the light?

Comment by don the legend Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:33 am
The first question I’m going to ask him is how he rides in a car that isn’t a convertible. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:36 am
The checkered shirt… bold.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:39 am
Well the Official Senate Picture this year will now require a lot more space at the top of the border than years before.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:40 am
“Ok, let’s try something… no hankey”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:40 am
Here’s hoping this starts a trend so I can get some highlights I’ve been wanting.

Comment by wildcat12 Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:43 am
Dear Senator Simmons, welcome to the Illinois State Senate! Enjoy your time in the Legislature, stay focus, ask questions, work with your colleagues and always be transparent with your constituients; your bosses.

Comment by Pizza Man Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:45 am
Hello Mr. Simmons, we are ready to seat your generation. Sorry for the wait.

Comment by levivotedforjudy Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:46 am
“Ok… try glasses, maybe a pipe… are you against a tweed jacket, you know, one with patches in the elbows?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:46 am
Count me in as a fan of his hair. But, man, that smile…can he represent me instead of Plummer?

Comment by Don't Bloc Me In Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:46 am
I’m not adding to the caption contest but I am deducting points from your overall grade for failing to use the term “liberhairian”. This will be reflected in your permanent record.

Comment by Commisar Gritty Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:47 am
I agree with Interim Retiree. I was immediately drawn to that million dollar smile.

Comment by Steve Rogers Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:47 am
I was a long hair, forced to sell out for the law. One day, I will grow it back.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:47 am
Sen. Mike Simmons, I’m not as conservative as I look.

Comment by Ronald Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:48 am
Give me a head with hair…long beautiful hair.

Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:48 am
Multiple folks are already 100% right about the smile!

Comment by The Historian Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:49 am
Exhibit A for the proper way to do a serious sartorial flex.

Comment by Yiddishcowboy Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:49 am
“… This is his first novel. When not writing, he can be found gardening with his used coffee grounds, listening to mid to late 1960 ‘B-Side’ music, or bus stop bench photography… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:50 am
Rich, before I make an informed decision, I’m going to need more information.

To that end, please post an elementary school photo.

Thank you in advance.

Comment by Lake County Mom Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:50 am
Balding people have a term for this: show off

Comment by TNR Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:50 am
Does this mean we can get mullets now?

Comment by Gohawks123 Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:51 am
=== The first question I’m going to ask him is how he rides in a car that isn’t a convertible. lol ===

Rich, I’m thinking that’s what his hair looks like after riding in a sedan.

Comment by PublicServant Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:51 am
(Not pictured: he’s wearing Bermuda shorts)

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:53 am
You’re going to have to prove that is not a wig.

Comment by Responsa Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 11:56 am
“No, President Harmon. You have a great head of hair. Really.”

Comment by Montrose Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:00 pm
Arguably, as tall as Mike Frerichs…

… arguably.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:00 pm
Whew you ask he take off his stovepipe hat for the first time…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:04 pm
Loud…and proud!

Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:11 pm
This could catch on in Springfield.

Trying to picture MJM with such a ‘do…

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:14 pm
The Weeknd is my favorite artist too

Comment by Superbowl jokes Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:21 pm
If you got it, flaunt it.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:22 pm
I was expelled from High School for having hair a tad longer than Ringo’s…Hair is a barometer for squares…still.

Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:24 pm
Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly, Sen. Simmons. As my Ethiopian friends say, “Tena Yistilin” (Traditional Amharic greeting saying May God give you health.)

Comment by SouthSide Markie Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:28 pm
Way better than Bill Shaw’s toupee or Dick Kelly’s combover.

Comment by JP's Notes Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:29 pm
Long Live Locs in the Legislature!

Comment by Sangamo Girl Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:31 pm
I had to cut my hair for the law too.

Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:32 pm
Any and all jibes are the products of deep envy. Welcome!

Comment by Rich Hill Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:33 pm
“To be honest, I didn’t recognize him with the beard, it threw me.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:35 pm
Poor Don Harmon.

Comment by Rich Hill Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:36 pm
Welcome Sen. Simmons. “Stick to your guns” on your hair. In more ways than one, Sgt. Joe Friday lost the culture wars … /s

Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:38 pm
Love the hair (and smile). As a House staffer back in the ’80’s & ’90’s I had long hippie hair during session and then cut it when going out to work with lunch ladies out on the campaign. I hope those days have passed. Of course, I couldn’t grow it that way now if I wanted to (I want to). Getting old is not for the meek.

Comment by Lt Guv Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:39 pm
Impressive! If you’ve got it, flaunt it.

Comment by jackmac Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:40 pm
Neo-Beehive

Comment by no relation Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:40 pm
Welcome Sen. Simmons, pay no attention to the heads exploding in the Eastern Bloc.

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:44 pm
Many of your colleagues are follically challenged Senator, please be sensitive to their feelings

Comment by OneMan Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:45 pm
Sen. Simmons,

Welcome to General Assembly.

Best of luck to you.

Oswego Willy.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:48 pm
Having been follically challenged most of my life, I love the hairdo. I say. “If you’ve got it, flaunt it “.

Comment by Nilwood Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:52 pm
“Does this mean we can get mullets now?”

Saw an article on the BBC website talking about mullets making comeback.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:52 pm
Sorry MrJM. I missed your post.

Comment by Nilwood Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:53 pm
Louis, Louis, Louis, you typed it, you own it. What I fear is you have no notion of what’s wrong with what you wrote.

Comment by Lt Guv Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 12:59 pm
Welcome to the Illinois Senate. I’m sorry, Sir, but you are way too happy to be working here.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 1:09 pm
Congratulations Senator Simmons and your hair looks marvelous.

Comment by Frumpy White Guy Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 1:13 pm
Sen. Simmons brings his own hoops for legislation to go through.

Comment by Anonish Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 1:15 pm
Speaking of hair, men with shaved heads are a definite improvement compared to the combover generation.

Watch out Illinois State Board of Elections. We’re coming for you.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 1:19 pm
Senator Simmons is just what Springfield needs more of!!

Comment by Seymourkid Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 1:27 pm
Sen. Simmons shows off Friendship Bracelet he received as a welcome from Sen. McConchie.

Comment by CookR Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 2:14 pm
Great smile, I feel sorry for his barber.

Comment by Not the Dude Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 2:20 pm
So Cool for the State Senate school. (They are lucky to have you —banned punctuation.)

Comment by Amalia Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 2:44 pm
Okay. So I looked at the picture, thought about it, came back later and looked again. Smile looks very genuine, outfit works despite the plaid shirt with a business suit jacket, but that hair is just Medusa-like as is. I’d tone it way down, although not being a hairstylist I’m not sure how to do that and yet maintain the individuality of the look. How does he wear a hat in winter with that, anyway?

Comment by thisjustinagain Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 2:56 pm
I have a feeling the young Senator Simmons could be a new trend setter and a trailblazer. He has a friendly spark about him. Congrats.

Comment by Mama Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 3:18 pm
@thisjusyinagain: With respect, the way he looks now is his style…even with the “plaid (actually gingham) shirt with a business suit jacket.” I don’t get it…why is there a need to tone anything down?

Comment by Yiddishcowboy Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 3:37 pm
Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Hopefully people will get over the excitement of your hair and focus on your efforts to make meaningful policy changes. Keep fighting the good fight.

Comment by Cumberland Dem Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 4:00 pm
“that hair is just Medusa-like”

With a smile like that, he’ll love you to death.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 4:12 pm
I see that Senator Simmons is a FSM believer. That should help balance the Eastern Bloc.

Comment by RIJ Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 4:24 pm
Welcome to the party Sen. Simmons. This is what we need. Young and stand alone without fear of what others think. Like was mentioned above the smile is infectious and makes others want to smile. Pull up a chair next to Sen. Bailey and grab a selfie.

Comment by Club J Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 4:47 pm
….as a three dollar bill.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 6:19 pm
Some computer savvy commenters here should put that hair on a Lincoln photo. I know I’d be diggn it.

Comment by proudstatetrooper Monday, Feb 8, 21 @ 9:18 pm
Very excited to have the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the State Senate! Hoping you do great things Sen. Simmons.

Comment by Legislative Tiger Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:55 am