The 17th district includes the Chatham neighborhoods of Chicago along with the all or parts of Burnham, Calumet City, Lansing, Ford Heights, Lynwood, Sauk Village, Beecher, Manteno, and Grant Park.

A graduate of Quigley Preparatory Seminary South High School in Chicago, he matriculated to Illinois State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree.

Following graduation from Illinois State University, Sims went to work for former Senate President Emil Jones Jr. as a budget analyst, eventually rising to become Appropriations Director.

In the Illinois Senate, Sims continues championing legislation focused on improving the quality of life by improving schools, strengthening the middle class by creating good paying jobs and economic opportunities, bringing fiscal discipline to Springfield, and passing public safety initiatives with the aim of making the streets safer.

In 2020, Sims led efforts to pass the Criminal Justice, Violence Reduction and Police Accountability pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus' Anti-Racism Agenda, which culminated in the passage of House Bill 3653, the SAFE-T Act, signed into law by Governor J.