CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam applauded the appointment of three new members to the Asian American Family Commission on Tuesday.

“I want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all of the new members of this commission,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “The work they will do to advocate for the diverse needs of our Asian American communities will help build on Illinois’ commitment to being the most welcoming state in the nation, with opportunity for all who call it home.”

Shobhana Verma is the Executive Director of the South Asian American Policy and Research Institute, located in Chicago. Under her leadership, SAAPRI has worked to reduce systemic barriers to and engage Asian American communities in the electoral process.

­CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam was appointed to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Infrastructure Funding and Policy Tuesday.

“I am proud to sit on this commission and am eager to begin working with industry experts, colleagues in the General Assembly and the governor’s office on finding innovative ways to continue to improve our infrastructure in a safe, accessible and affordable way.” said Villivalam (D-Chicago).

­CHICAGO – With carjackings and shootings on the rise on Illinois’ expressways, State Senator Ram Villivalam supported two new laws to help law enforcement crack down on these crimes.

“Commuters deserve to know they are safe when they use any of Illinois’ 15,969 miles of highways,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “Allowing law enforcement to coordinate and address these crimes is the first step to protecting drivers.”

­CHICAGO – To make essential health services accessible to immigrant and refugee communities, State Senator Ram Villivalam supported a measure to expand Medicaid-like benefits to non-citizens down to age 42 that was signed into law on Friday.

“As we were reminded over the course of the pandemic, our collective public health requires that all our neighbors be covered, regardless of immigrant status,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Expanding health care coverage to as many people as possible will keep all our communities safe and healthy as we continue to recover.”

­SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to conduct a review of revenue sources, equity and safety measures, and how to further improve our transportation system, spearheaded by Senate Transportation Committee chair Ram Villivalam, was signed into law on Friday.

“Illinois is working hard to continue finding new ways to improve our infrastructure,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “With the help of this commission, we will find innovative ways to execute the Rebuild Illinois capital plan and find sources of funding for projects in the communities that need it most.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to the leaked Supreme Court ruling that would overturn Roe v. Wade:

“The Supreme Court’s draft opinion to strip women of their right to choose is appalling. The ability to make decisions on your own body is the most basic and fundamental of rights, and we must do all we can to protect those rights for all women.

“All reproductive care, including abortion, is and will remain legal in Illinois thanks to the Reproductive Health Act. I was proud to stand with the women in our General Assembly in passing that critical piece of legislation and will continue to stand with them as we fight this disastrous decision.

Arab American Heritage Month first became nationally recognized on April 1, 2021.

The U.S. Department of State issued a proclamation acknowledging the month of April as the sanctioned commemoration of Arab Americans’ history, culture and legacies. The initiative was supported by Congress and a large number of governors through additional written proclamations.

Since AAHM’s official announcement, only four states have taken official action in maintaining such an initiative on the state level. Illinois is among these four states.

SPRINGFIELD – Sports fans may soon have additional options for special license plates thanks to legislation by State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) that passed the Illinois Senate Thursday.

“Showing support for your favorite team will now include our fine soccer and basketball teams,” Villivalam said. “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.