State Senator Ram Villivalam

10/20/2022

You can help make the rising crisis of Domestic Violence more visible by observing today and by supporting survivors all year long. Learn how to identify signs of abuse and how to support survivors: www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse

10/19/2022

Illinoisans aged 65 or older, aged 16 or older and living with a disability, and who meet income requirements may be eligible to receive a discount on license plates or a free bus pass through the Illinois Department of Aging Benefit Access Program. Click here to learn more and apply. https://ilaging.illinois.gov/benefitsaccess.html

10/18/2022

Yesterday I joined the Maine Township Food Pantry for a tour of their facilities. Happy to learn more about their needs and how we can support them.

10/17/2022

Join us this Saturday for a panel discussion at the Lincolnwood Library.

10/17/2022

🎓 The federal student loan debt relief portal is now live. Up to $20,000 in debt forgiveness is available to student borrowers, with most benefits going to individuals who earn less than $75,000. Apply here by Dec. 31, 2023: studentaid.gov/debt-relief/application

10/15/2022

It's National Move Over Day. If you are approaching a stopped emergency or maintenance vehicle, follow Scott's Law:

🚧 Reduce your speed
🛣️ Change lanes if possible
⚠️ Proceed with caution

10/14/2022

Do you know a school board member who goes above and beyond to serve students and their community? The Illinois State Board of Education is accepting nominations for the 2022 Thomas Lay Burroughs Award. Submit your nomination here by Oct. 21, 2022. bit.ly/3TlPAd5

10/11/2022

📣 Niles Township Government is collecting new and unused winter essentials for asylum seekers resettling to our area. Help us continue to provide a meaningful support network to our new neighbors and donate if you can. Donations are being accepted throughout October at the Niles Township Government building.

10/10/2022

I was honored by the American Society of Landscape Architects for my work on reinstating the Landscape Architecture Registration Act. Reinstating the Act helped nearly 1,000 landscape architects, their firms and affiliates to continue the important work they do in beautifying our public spaces.

10/09/2022

Weekend Wrap-Up

✅️ I joined the Edison and Niles Chambers of Commerce, among other Chambers of Commerce, for their annual breakfast where I met with small business owners and community leaders to discuss the legislation we worked on this past year and hear about the issues that are important to our residents.
✅️ I joined members of the faith community at Mayfair Presbyterian Church to celebrate the church's 100th anniversary. Founded in 1922, the church is an incredible staple of our community.
✅️ Our office hosted a donation drive to help welcome asylum seekers resettling in Chicago and Skokie. Thank you to all who supported our new neighbors!

10/09/2022

Chag Sameach to all our neighbors celebrating Succos! Enjoy a safe and healthy celebration with loved ones.

10/09/2022

‼TODAY‼

10/07/2022

It was great to hear from former 8th District resident and Palmer Elementary alum John Podesta at the Roosevelt Institute forum today. As Senior Advisor to the President on clean energy implementation and innovation, John Podesta informed us on national efforts to fund green projects under the Inflation Reduction Act. Our Illinois delegation was happy to discuss our own green energy transition in Illinois and efforts to reduce carbon.

10/06/2022

Applications for the Cook County Promise guaranteed income pilot program open TODAY. Residents of Cook County ages 18+ who meet income requirements are eligible to receive $500/month for 24 months. Scan the QR code above or visit www.engagecookcounty.com/promise for more information.

10/06/2022

Under our current cash bail system, a person arrested for s*x offenses could pay their bail and be let back out on the streets before their trial. To keep our community safe, I voted to pass the SAFE-T Act to ensure that can't happen. Starting Jan. 1, 2023, the SAFE-T Act will give courts more discretion on whether someone poses a threat to the community and should remain behind bars (pages 335-337). Read the SAFE-T Act at bit.ly/SAFE-TAct.

10/05/2022

My office is hosting a donation drive for asylum seekers resettling in Chicago and Skokie. Help us support our new neighbors in need with items from the list below. For a full list of items needed, visit bit.ly/List3851 .

Drop-off times are scheduled for 9-11 a.m. this Sunday, October 9 at my district office. Schedule a drop-off at bit.ly/DonationRSVP .

10/05/2022

Under our current cash bail system, a person arrested for gun crimes could pay their bail and be let back out on the streets before their trial. To keep our community safe, I voted to pass the SAFE-T Act to ensure that can't happen. Starting Jan. 1, 2023, the SAFE-T Act will give courts more discretion on whether someone poses a threat to the community and should remain behind bars (pages 335-337). Read the SAFE-T Act at bit.ly/SAFE-TAct.

10/04/2022

🌽 This week I visited my friends at the Monroe County Farm Bureau as part of the Adopt-A-Legislator program. Thanks to the program, I've learned a great deal about agriculture and the policies we need to continue to support the largest industry in Illinois. Thank you all for your hospitality!

10/04/2022

G'mar chasima tova! May members of the Jewish community celebrating Yom Kippur have an easy, meaningful fast and be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Good Life.

10/03/2022

Honored to have been a part of the 2022 cohort. As we prepare to return to Springfield for the upcoming legislative session, we will be ready to work on furthering our state's robust early childhood education agenda to ensure that all our youth have the support network they need for success.

While the program may be over, now the work begins! The 2022 cohort combined their experience from the past two months to develop plans they will bring back to their communities and professions throughout the state to further invest in early childhood and support the state's children and families with child-centered solutions.

10/03/2022

📣 Cook County will open applications for a guaranteed income pilot program on Oct. 6-21. Residents of Cook County ages 18+ who meet income requirements are eligible to receive $500/month for 24 months. Scan the QR code above or visit www.engagecookcounty.com/promise for more information.

09/30/2022

It was great to join Palmer Elementary's celebration and provide tacos for our youth, parents and teachers today.

09/30/2022

Under our current cash bail system, a person arrested for murder who can afford their bail can be let back out on the street before their day in court. This puts our community in danger, so I voted to pass the SAFE-T Act to ensure that can't happen. Starting Jan. 1, 2023, the SAFE-T Act will give courts more discretion on whether someone poses a threat to the community and should remain behind bars (pages 335-337). Read the SAFE-T Act at bit.ly/SAFE-TAct.

09/29/2022

‼TODAY‼ Join Niles Township Government for a community flu shot clinic. As we approach the colder months, getting a flu shot is more important than ever. Questions? Call 847-673-9300 for more information.

09/28/2022

‼TODAY‼ Join Niles Township Government for a community blood drive. Schedule an appointment at vitalant.com using order code ORD0888A or scan the QR code below.

09/27/2022

💉 My family and I all got our COVID-19 shots and boosters ahead of the colder seasons. Getting boosted is the best way to keep your household and community healthy. Find COVID-19 vaccine clinics in our community at vaccines.gov.

A special thanks to Swedish Hospital and the health care professionals for all that you are doing!

09/27/2022

Simply put, the SAFE-T Act gets smart on crime and aims to create a fairer justice system. Pretrial detention will be based on an offender’s risk to our community, not their ability to pay.

09/27/2022

📚 Tonight our community came out to . One of our most fundamental obligations is to ensure our youth have access to every safe learning opportunity possible. We must fund this precious resource for our neighbors and treat the staff with the dignity and respect they deserve.

09/25/2022

Shana tovah to all our neighbors celebrating Rosh Hashanah tonight! Best wishes to you and your family for a sweet new year filled with health, happiness and peace.

09/24/2022

💉 Join Niles Township Government for a community flu shot clinic. As we approach the colder months, getting a flu shot is more important than ever. Questions? Call 847-673-9300 for more information.

09/23/2022

📣 It has been brought to my attention that the Indian American Advisory Council law was drafted with language that is not inclusive to all Indian Americans who call Illinois home. I am committed to working with my colleagues, stakeholders and constituents to rectify this language. Just like we have done with hundreds of other laws and programs, we will ensure this law reflects the diversity and the welcoming nature of our state.

I am proud of the work that has been done on behalf of and in collaboration with the Muslim American community, including:

✅ Public Act 102-0044: TEAACH Act
✅ Public Act 102-0411: Contributions & History of Muslims in America Curriculum
✅ Public Act 102-0051: Inclusive Athletic Attire
✅ Public Act 102-0241: Cross-Cultural Mediation Amongst Students
✅ Public Act 102-0405: School Excused Physical Education for Fasting
✅ Public Act 102-0406: School Excused Absences for Religious Holidays
✅ Public Act 100-0459: Muslim American Advisory Council

09/23/2022

🩸 Join Niles Township Government for a community blood drive this Wednesday. Schedule an appointment at vitalant.com using order code ORD0888A or scan the QR code below.

09/23/2022

Revealed: the ‘shocking’ levels of toxic lead in Chicago tap water

If this can happen to my family, it can happen to any family. I will continue to advocate for increased funding and implementation of lead service pipe removal so working families don't need to pay out of pocket, like mine did.

Tests performed for thousands of Chicago residents found lead, a neurotoxin, in amounts far exceeding the federal standards

09/22/2022

There's been a lot of misinformation out there regarding the SAFE-T Act. The cash bail reforms made under the law will make communities safer by allowing courts to hold violent offenders who would ordinarily be able to bail out. Judges and law enforcement can still detain those who are a threat to the community under the SAFE-T Act.

09/21/2022

Villivalam: Local schools to receive more than $25 million in new funding

🎒 An investment in our schools is an investment in our youth and our future. This new funding will help to build a better learning environment for our students and offer them more opportunities to succeed. Read more here. ➡

The official legislative site of Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam

09/20/2022

Photos from Governor JB Pritzker's post

09/19/2022

Senator Ram

Senator Ram

09/19/2022

📣 Our office is partnering with the City of Chicago to collect essential supplies for migrants from Texas. These people deserve dignity and should not be used as political pawns. In Illinois, we welcome those fleeing from harm or persecution and will do all we can to help our new neighbors. Call our office to schedule a drop-off date, or visit bit.ly/3qExPte to find other drop-off locations.

09/18/2022

Weekend Wrap-Up
✅️ Alderman Debra Silverstein, 50th Ward and I hosted a job fair at the Northtown Public Library.
✅️ I presented the Chicago Red Stars with a copy of a new law that will allow sports fans to purchase new team license plates at the DMV, including the Red Stars.

09/16/2022

Illinois Secretary of State appoints seventh trustee to Niles Library Board

📚 I am proud to welcome Umair Qadeer to the Maine-Niles Library Board of Trustees. Umair is a longtime resident of our community, and is an excellent choice to join the library board.

I am grateful to the Secretary of State’s office for facilitating an open and transparent process to fill the vacancy. Umair will bring needed representation to the board as the only South Asian American and only member from unincorporated Maine Township.

I congratulate Umair Qadeer on his appointment and am eager to see the work that he, in collaboration with the board and our community, will accomplish on behalf of all our neighbors who value the services the Maine-Niles Library has to offer.

The State Librarian appointed a seventh trustee, Umair Qadeer, to the Niles-Maine Library District board, which has been deadlocked 3-3 between factions of trustees.

09/16/2022

📣 Our office is partnering with the City of Chicago to collect essential supplies for migrants from Texas. These people deserve dignity and should not be used as political pawns. In Illinois, we welcome those fleeing from harm or persecution and will do all we can to help our new neighbors. Call our office to schedule a drop-off date, or visit bit.ly/3qExPte to find other drop-off locations.