Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam is leading the charge with legislation that would bolster lead service line replacements in Illinois.

“Lead service lines are a health hazard, putting people at risk for lead poisoning and contributing to cardiovascular, kidney and reproductive issues,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “With roughly 400,000 lead service lines across Chicago alone, it is imperative we work to combat the risks these service lines pose to our neighbors and ensure they are replaced in a timely manner.”

SPRINGFIELD -- State Senator Ram Villivalam joined hundreds of Illinois residents with Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the PAAVE Coalition in Springfield, on Wednesday, for a rally highlighting Asian American Heritage Month.

“As we celebrate the start of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month, it is imperative that we continue to remind our community to uplift Asian American Pacific Islander voices, culture and history,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago).

The month of May first commemorated Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage in 1979 and has been celebrated as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month since 1990. May was chosen to commemorate the first arrival of Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869 through the incredible effort of mostly Chinese immigrant workers.

SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam spearheaded a measure through the Senate that would establish regulations for the use of toy vehicles, motor-driven bicycles and other small, low-speed electric mobility devices in Illinois.

“E-bikes and other increasingly popular micromobility devices are being utilized by our neighbors. While these devices provide more accessibility for our residents, they have also led to tragic accidents,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “It is imperative that we implement safeguards to ensure that everyone who uses a micromobility device is able to do so in a safe way.”

A study conducted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated a total of 360,800 emergency room visits from injuries sustained during micromoibility devices accidents.

Senate Bill 3336 would regulate the use of toy vehicles, motor-driven cycles, and electric micromobility devices. To achieve this, the measure would:

SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam spearheaded a new law providing necessary reforms and historic investments to address the public transit fiscal cliff and issues facing the system in Illinois.

“Riders, transit workers, and stakeholders from the business, labor, environmental, and urban planning sectors told my colleagues and I for years about the challenges and opportunities that exist with our public transit systems,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Their concerns were the same ones I see each time I have used public transit myself – delays, ghost buses or lack of service. The status quo wasn’t working. It was time to make a change in order for people to get their school, job, and/or doctor’s appointment in a safe, reliable, and accessible way.”

Senate Bill 2111 creates the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, known as NITA – shifting authority from the Regional Transit Authority to the new entity that will oversee CTA, Metra and Pace.  The NITA board will be comprised of 20 members, with five appointments each from the governor, mayor of Chicago and Cook County Board president, as well as one from each chair or county executive of the collar county boards of DuPage, Kane, McHenry, Lake and Will.

SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam passed historic legislation through the Senate providing necessary reforms and transformational investments to address the public transit fiscal cliff in Illinois.

“Our public transit systems are the backbone of our communities – connecting residents to their jobs, schools, doctors and more,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Now is the time to embrace viable, long-term solutions that provide a world-class public transit system to Illinoisans.”

Senate Bill 2111 would create the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, known as NITA – shifting authority from the Regional Transit Authority to the new entity that will oversee CTA, Metra and Pace.  The NITA board would be comprised of 20 members, with five appointments each from the governor, mayor of Chicago and Cook County Board president, as well as one from each chair or county executive of the collar county boards of DuPage, Kane, McHenry, Lake and Will.

A group of Senate transit leaders release statement highlighting legislation to fix and fund public transit in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD ─ As public transportation systems across Illinois approach a fiscal cliff in 2026, threats of cuts to service and layoffs of transit workers continue to loom as they await funding and reforms from the Illinois General Assembly. 

State Senators Mattie Hunter, Omar Aquino, Robert Peters, Celina Villanueva, Adriane Johnson and Graciela Guzmán have been at the forefront leading legislation to tackle the fiscal cliff and longstanding transit issues through legislation.

The aforementioned members released the following statement to address the need to fix and fund public transit:

CHICAGO — State Senator Ram Villivalam is hosting a State of Transit town hall on Sept. 20 alongside local elected officials to share updates about the state of transit in Illinois.

“Public transit is an essential part of our communities – getting residents to where they need to go. Without this critical service, many of our neighbors will not be able to get to school, go to their job or even receive the health care they need,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “It is imperative that we continue to talk with residents and provide updates on what we have done to create a world-class public transit system for Illinoisans.”

The transit town hall will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 at noon at Harry S. Truman College – McKeon Lobby, located at 1145 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago. Villivalam is hosting the event alongside State Senators Sara Feigenholtz, Graciela Guzmán and Mike Simmons, and Alders Angela Clay, Maria Hadden, Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, Matt Martin and Andre Vasquez, where they will provide updates about transit, answer residents’ questions and hear about how transit is essential in their communities.

CHICAGO — State Senator Ram Villivalam is celebrating the grand opening of the Illinois Holocaust Museum’s satellite location in Chicago following the announcement of its opening Monday.

“The Illinois Holocaust Museum provides critical education and resources to our neighbors – highlighting our human history and serving as reminder to fight against antisemitism,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “I am elated to see the museum’s impact will go beyond Skokie as they continue site improvements to their main location.”

An advocate for Holocaust education, the Illinois Holocaust Museum and anti-hate measures, Villivalam serves as a voice for the community. In recent years, Villivalam has spearheaded legislation increasing funds for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and expanded school lunch options for students needing Kosher or Halal meals.