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SPRINGFIELD – To better meet the needs of Illinois’ Indian American population, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) advanced legislation in the Senate State Government Committee to create the Illinois Indian American Advisory Council.

“As the son of Indian immigrants, I am committed to doing all I can to make Illinois the most welcoming state,” Villivalam said. “This council will uplift Indian voices and ensure all of the diverse communities that contribute to our state’s success have a seat at the table.”

SPRINGFIELD – After a recent organizational shakeup at the Illinois Tollway Authority, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate on Wednesday to clarify the roles of the Executive Director and Chairman of the Board at the agency.

“We are simply putting in statute what has been in practice as it relates to the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Director,” Villivalam said. “My plan clarifies the roles of upper management at the agency and puts the powers of the board chair in line with other agencies, like the Capitol Development Board.”

Senate Bill 3796 removes language from the Toll Highway Act that gives the board chair the authority to exercise general supervision of the agency and makes the agency’s Executive Director an appointment by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – With support staff in community living facilities facing high turnover rates and low wages, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) joined advocates to support legislation to increase pay for these frontline workers.

“For too long, the funding meant for essential workers has not reached their wallets,” Villivalam said. “The staff who care for our most vulnerable neighbors deserve a living wage, and I stand with them in calling for better and fairer working conditions.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) announced the formation of the bipartisan, bicameral Illinois Assyrian Caucus today. The Illinois Assyrian Caucus will bring together members of the General Assembly to advocate for Illinois’s Assyrian community by providing a unified platform to educate the public on Assyrian-American identities and issues. Illinois is the first in the nation to establish a statewide caucus on Assyrian issues.

“Illinois is the most welcoming state in the nation and home to hundreds of diverse ethnic communities,” Villivalam said. “Together, we can elevate the voices of our Assyrian-American neighbors and partner in a united effort in addressing the issues their community faces.”

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SPRINGFIELD – To lay the groundwork for a regional public transportation network, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate to require the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to submit legislative recommendations to achieve long-term financial viability for the network.

“We must strive to provide reliable access to public transit, and with it access to job opportunities, health care and other essentials,” Villivalam said. “Illinois must build an equitable future for public transportation that prioritizes all of our neighbors.”

Senate Bill 3848 requires CMAP to work in tandem with the Regional Transit Authority to submit legislative recommendations on how to ensure long-term funding for a regional public transportation system by Jan. 1, 2024. The legislation also requires RTA to better address racial equity, climate change and economic development in areas under its domain. CMAP and RTA are also required to include meaningful public input in their report.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, advanced legislation to allow an alternative project delivery method on infrastructure improvements from the Illinois Senate on Friday.

“Streamlining the implementation of infrastructure improvements will save taxpayer dollars and rebuild our roads, bridges and mass transit systems in a transparent and equitable manner,” Villivalam said. “Finding alternative ways to deliver on rebuilding Illinois remains a top priority for me on 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.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and State Representative Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) lauded the inclusion of $20 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program in this year’s proposed state budget.

“Our communities face unprecedented levels of discrimination,” Villivalam said. “Keeping our neighbors safe from hate-motivated harm is a top priority, and I am glad to see that reflected in this year’s proposed budget.”

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program was created in 2017 but has yet to be funded through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. The program is designed to assist nonprofit organizations with purchasing security enhancements, such as cameras, bulletproof glass and reinforced doors; offering safety training to staff; and, under certain circumstances, hiring or contracting security professionals.

CHICAGO – To bring working people back into the job market, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is leading an initiative to offer businesses a tax credit to hire employees who lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Over one and a half million people across Illinois have filed for unemployment since the start of the pandemic,” Villivalam said. “We must do right by working people and our small business community by incentivizing growth during this difficult time.”