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.”

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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.”

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CHICAGO – Following the resignation of chair Will Evans from the Illinois Tollway Authority, State Senators Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Donald DeWitte (R-Saint Charles), chair and minority spokesperson of the Senate Transportation Committee, are ready to work with the Tollway to ensure transparency and accountability in the organization’s operations.

“I would like to thank chair Evans for his public service,” Villivalam said. “For the last three years, the Illinois Tollway Authority has worked to provide affordable, accessible transportation to commuters while exceeding its diversity contracting goals.”

Senator Villivalam introduced Senate Bill 3796 to clarify the roles of the Executive Director and chairman of the agency. The measure outlines the Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Tollway, and the Tollway board remains a separate oversight mechanism. Additionally, the legislation requires that the Executive Director of the Illinois Tollway Authority be appointed by the governor with the full advice and consent of the Illinois Senate.

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