Villivalam obtains funding for Jewish community organizations under Rebuild Illinois program

CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) has obtained nearly $1 million in funding for new projects that will benefit the Chicago and Northwest suburban Jewish community under the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction plan.

“The district I represent is home to a very large portion of the Illinois Jewish community, and this funding will help critical Jewish organizations increase their capacity during and after the pandemic,” Villivalam said. “It is important to also note that the allocation of resources to our local Jewish organizations will support everyone in our community for years to come as these organizations provide food assistance, emergency assistance, home care, child care, recreational activities, and so much more to all of our residents.”

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Villivalam speaks for Illinois’ growing Asian American population in Illinois Senate

Census Bureau estimates Asian Americans as fastest growing demographic in the state

CHICAGO– Reacting to news that the Census Bureau has identified Asian Americans from countries like India and China as the fastest growing demographic group in Illinois, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) vowed to continue to vigorously support Asian Americans, both recent immigrants and those who have been here for generations.

“We need to ensure Asian Americans have access to all of the same state services as other Illinois residents,” said Villivalam, the first Asian American elected to the Illinois Senate and the Co-Chair of the Illinois General Assembly’s Asian American Caucus. “Making sure documents and websites are available in Asian languages is an important first step, and one that I’ve been pushing especially hard during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

According to the Census Bureau, Illinois’ Asian American population has increased by 24% since 2010, with Asian Americans now making up 5.7% of the people in the state.

“People who come from Asian cultures are helping increase the diversity and vibrancy of American culture,” Villivalam said. “The days of Asian Americans only living on Devon Ave., in Chinatown and in other nationality-based enclaves are over. Now, you see temples, shrines, mosques, and restaurants serving food from across the Asian continent in cities big and small.”

Villivalam vowed to use his position as the first Asian American elected the Illinois Senate to help educate his colleagues about the Asian American community and to help bring the community’s long-unrepresented perspective to all levels of Illinois government. Since joining the Senate, he has helped steer additional funding to support the Asian American community’s infrastructure needs by facilitating the creation of a Pan Asian American Community Center and an Asian American Chamber of Commerce, passed a law creating the Asian American Family Commission, and sponsored other measures targeted at the unique needs of Asian Americans and Asian immigrants.

Villivalam also views the announcement that Asian Americans are the fastest growing group in Illinois as a reminder of how important it is to fill out the census.

“If the Asian American community wants to have the representation it deserves in government and its fair share of federal resources, we all need to fill out the census,” Villivalam said.

Villivalam encourages use of free credit checks during pandemic

CHICAGO — State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is encouraging everyone who may have have had a change in their finances after four months of the COVID-19 crisis to take advantage of the available free credit reporting websites.  

“When the pandemic hit, many people suddenly lost their jobs or experienced other income loss, placing an unanticipated burden on their finances and potentially affecting their credit scores,” Villivalam said. “It’s important for everyone to be aware of their credit score due to the impact that bad credit can have on a person’s financial future.” 

As Illinois slowly recovers from the economic devastation caused by the pandemic, Villivalam is urging everyone to double check their credit scores and to know where their finances stand. Everyone is eligible to receive their weekly credit report for free through Equifax, Experian and TransUnion until April 2021. For more information, please visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com. 

“Managing your finances is stressful, yet this free service to check your credit score will at least provide a baseline for where you stand,” Villivalam said.  

Villivalam cautions drivers to be aware of road conditions in summer heat

CHICAGO – As temperatures continue to rise, Illinois State Senate Transportation Chair Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is urging drivers to be cautious of potential pavement buckling on roads due to the hot and humid weather. 

“During the summer we often worry about staying hydrated and reapplying sunscreen,” Villivalam said. “Oftentimes we forget that extreme heat can also cause the road pavement to crack and break which can create dangerous driving conditions.” 

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, pavement failures or blowouts can occur when prolonged high temperatures cause roads to expand and buckle up or blow out, resulting in uneven driving surfaces. Precipitation and humidity can also increase the potential for buckling.

“To ensure road safety this summer, I urge everyone to be cognizant of road conditions and construction workers while traveling and to report any issues immediately,” Villivalam said. 

Pavement failures should be reported to IDOT by calling 800-452-4368 or by calling 911.