Villivalam: We must end pharmaceutical price gouging

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) supported legislation that would end pharmaceutical price gouging practices for prescription insulin.

“This is a matter of values,” Villivalam said. “We need to value people over profits and ensure that everyone has access to the health care they need to survive.”

The measure would cap prescription insulin copayments at $100 per 30-day supply. It also directs the attorney general to investigate rising prescription insulin costs and to make pro-consumer recommendations to the General Assembly.

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are over 30 million Americans who have diabetes, 7.4 million of which require prescription insulin every day to survive. The price of insulin has tripled between 2002 and 2013, which has led to many patients rationing their insulin and sacrificing other daily needs to pay for insulin.

If passed into law, Illinois would be the second state to cap insulin copayments. Colorado passed a similar law earlier this year.

Senate Bill 667 passed in the Senate and will move to the House for consideration.

Villivalam appointed to Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership

CHICAGO — State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) has been appointed by Senate President John Cullerton to serve on the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership.

“Everyone deserves easy access to mental health services. Right now, young people in our state are faced with obstacles when trying to receive timely, appropriate treatment,” Villivalam said. “I look forward to working with parents, teachers, advocates, community leaders, law enforcement and medical experts to ensure that every child struggling with mental health and their families have access to a full array of mental health services when and where they need it most.”

The Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership (ICMHP) is the only statewide, public/private partnership of policymakers in Illinois committed to improving the scope, quality and access of mental health programs services and support for children. The ICMHP was created by the Children’s Mental Health Act in 2003 to convene the child-serving state agencies, parents, youth, policymakers, providers, and advocates to identify needs and gaps, and recommend innovative solutions to improve children’s mental health in Illinois

Over the past 10 years, the ICMHP has made progress in improving children’s mental health through collective efforts such as raising awareness through the Say It Out Loud Campaign to help reduce stigma and empower children and families to talk about mental health, early childhood mental health consultation, implementation of the Illinois Social and Emotional Standards, community-based linkage to services for youth discharged from correctional facilities, and statewide expansion of Screening Assessment and Support Services Program. 

Villivalam’s appointment is effective immediately, and will expire Jan. 13, 2021.

New Illinois Law Requires Panic Buttons for Hotel and Casino Staff

Originally published in Security Magazine, Sept. 15, 2019.

“No one deserves to feel unsafe in their work environment,” Villivalam said. “By following the example of some of the nation’s most populous cities, we will provide a safer and more productive workplace to those who work at these facilities.”

Hotels and casinos in Illinois will soon be required to have anti-sexual harassment policies that include, for certain workers, access to a safety button or notification device that alerts security staff.

The Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act that was signed into law by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker requires all employees working alone in guest rooms, restrooms or casino floors to be supplied with a safety or notification device at no cost to them. It also prohibits employer retaliation against workers who use the device or disclose, report or testify about violations of the act.

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Villivalam legislation to simplify payment system for state contractors signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation introduced by State Senator Ram Villivalam that will ensure subcontractors receive payments for their work in a timely manner was signed into law last Friday.

“With this legislation, we’re making the payment process as seamless and transparent as possible, while also ensuring that smaller contractors receive their payments on time.” Villivalam (D-Chicago) said. “Waiting on funds for too long can make or break small businesses.”

Senate Bill 104 would require that subcontractors be paid within ten business days after the prime contractor receives payment. The overwhelming majority of prime contractors receive electronic payments from the state, reducing the need for time when the subcontractors are waiting to be paid their share for work already performed.

Additionally, IDOT will be required to publish a searchable database on its website containing the names and owed balances of subcontractors for each pay period, ensuring transparency and accessibility in the payment process.

This legislation takes effect immediately.