SPRINGFIELD –  To give those who have been exonerated and are eligible for the Grant Program for Exonerated Persons more flexibility with their benefits, State Senator Ram Villivalam advanced legislation to allow those covered by the program to pass on unused benefits to dependent spouses or children.

“This gives people who have been wronged by the legal system and may not want to use all of their grant benefits the ability to pass them on to someone in their family who may benefit more,” Villivalam said. “Wrongful convictions are devastating for families, and this legislation gives more agency to how exonerated persons can use their benefits and ensures that their benefits are not going wasted.”

Under the current law, individuals who receive a gubernatorial pardon on the grounds of innocence of the crime for which they were imprisoned, or have received a certificate of innocence from a court, are eligible for the Grant Program for Exonerees. The grant can cover the cost of obtaining a high school equivalency certificate, pay tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate or graduate study at Illinois public universities, and can be used for four regular school years of full time enrollment.

SPRINGFIELD – Survivors of gun violence, gun safety advocates and faith leaders visited the Illinois State Capitol Thursday to host a rally encouraging lawmakers to pass legislation banning assault weapons in Illinois.

“I support banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines because I am a father to two young sons,” said State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) at the rally. “As we approach this opportunity to take a monumental step forward to achieve true public safety for all of us, I am reminded of my kids and the stories we’ve heard day in and day out of children who have been lost to gun violence. No parent should have to carry that pain.”

CHICAGO – The Illinois Constitution was officially amended to protect the right to collective bargaining, enshrining the hard-fought ability for working people to negotiate pay, hours and conditions on the job.

“Workers in all industries should have the right to organize, as well as bargain for better wages and working conditions,” said State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago). “By being the first state in the nation to enshrine workers' rights in our constitution, Illinois is setting the standard. We must continue to act to preserve and protect these rights for future generations of working people.”

The constitutional amendment was introduced in the Illinois Senate by State Senator Ram Villivalam and asked voters to establish a constitutional right to negotiate “wages, hours, and working conditions, and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work.” Gov. JB Pritzker issued a proclamation on Thursday announcing the passage of the amendment alongside lawmakers and labor leaders. Voters approved of the amendment with 54.5% of ballots cast in the 2022 General Election.

­SPRINGFIELD – In collaboration with law enforcement, states attorneys, criminal justice reform advocates and other stakeholders, State Senator Ram Villivalam helped advance legislation from the Illinois Senate that clarifies portions of the historic SAFE-T and Pretrial Fairness Acts.

“Thanks to a truly collaborative effort, we preserved the original intent of the Pretrial Fairness Act – to ensure that people are incarcerated based on their threat to our community, not their ability to pay bail,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Despite false narratives about the law, the reforms made under the SAFE-T Act will have a smoother implementation in our justice system with this clarifying measure.”

House Bill 1095 provides clarification to the Pretrial Fairness Act portions of the SAFE-T Act since its passage in January 2021. The legislation makes clear that judges can issue warrants and summons, providing a reminder that any person who poses a threat to the community or someone else – including trespassers – can be arrested, and clarifying court authority when it comes to electronic monitoring, among other items.

The measure also adds non-probational felonies, forcible felonies, hate crimes, attempts of crimes that are otherwise detainable, and others to the list of crimes that qualify someone for detention. This was done with the goal of ensuring that those who pose a risk to the community should be detained while those who simply lack economic resources and do not pose a threat should not.

House Bill 1095 passed the Illinois Senate on Thursday and awaits further consideration in the Illinois House.

­

CHICAGO – School districts will now have greater flexibility in contracting with food service providers, thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Ram Villivalam that was signed on Wednesday.

“Local school boards know what food options are best for students in their communities,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Our plan allows schools to contract with providers that share the same set of values as they do.”

CHICAGO – In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“This attack on Roe v. Wade is appalling. While we’ve expanded protections for reproductive health care in our state, an infinite number of communities across the country will be negatively affected by this decision.

SPRINGFIELD – Sports fans will soon have additional options for special license plates thanks to legislation by State Senator Ram Villivalam that was signed into law on Thursday.

“Showing support for your favorite team will now include our women’s soccer and basketball teams,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “These license plates will provide additional revenue for the state while showcasing the teams that drive our success.”

House Bill 4434 authorizes the Illinois Secretary of State to issue special license plates for the Chicago Sky, Chicago Red Stars and the Chicago Fire. Other professional sports teams with special plates include the Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals.

­

CHICAGO – A new law to allow an alternative project delivery method on infrastructure improvements, introduced by Senate Transportation Committee chair Ram Villivalam, was signed by the governor on Wednesday.

“Streamlining the implementation of infrastructure projects will save taxpayer dollars and rebuild our roads, bridges and mass transit systems in a transparent and equitable manner,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Finding alternative ways to deliver on rebuilding Illinois remains a top priority for me as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.”

Senate Bill 2981 creates the Innovations for Transportation Infrastructure Act, which authorizes the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Tollway Authority to use the design-build delivery method on highway construction projects. Currently, IDOT uses the design-bid-build project delivery method where the department designs a plan in-house, then reviews bids from contractors. Design-build would expedite that process by allowing a single entity to both design and start construction on the project. Projects that use this method would be capped at a combined total of $400 million.