- Published: Monday, October 19, 2020 11:31 AM

Dear Friends,
While there is no question we are living through an unprecedented and unsettling time, I know we'll get through this together.
Over the last few months, I've witnessed the incredible support offered by our communities - folks delivering food and supplies to the most vulnerable in our society, patronizing our small businesses by buying gift cards as well as utilizing delivery and carry out options, finding ways to support those on the front lines: healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, and more, and following difficult guidance to keep one another safe.
If you have suggestions, thoughts, and/or comments on what can be done to improve this unprecedented and unsettling situation, please let me know.
Additionally, I have appreciated and have faith in the leadership of Governor Pritzker, Illinois Department of Public Health Secretary Dr. Ngozi Ezike, state and local elected officials, and our community leaders.
To learn about the actions being taken, you can follow Governor Pritzker's Facebook updates HERE. You can visit the Illinois Department of Public Health's website for up to date information HERE. Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady is holding daily online Q&A sessions at 11AM available HERE.
Still, the coming weeks and months will not be easy. As the coronavirus situation continues to unfold, it is my commitment to provide timely, accurate information for residents of the 8th District--our team is here for you.
In accordance with guidance from the Governor's office, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Illinois Department of Public Health, #TeamRam has been working remotely. We hope to resume in-person office hours on a limited basis in the near future. Until such time however, we're still available and ready to help as always. We're available via telephone and/or email Monday through Friday 9AM-5PM, and frequently checking our voicemail as well as our email system outside those hours to ensure we're helping with all urgent constituent matters.
Call us: 872-208-5188
Message us: www.senatorram.com/contact-us
You can find more compiled resources HERE to help us all get through this difficult time. Have questions? Are there other resources you would like to know more about? Don't hesitate to reach out.
All my best,
Ram Villivalam
State Senator, IL-08
CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), Chair of the Special Committee on Supplier Diversity, participated in a virtual joint hearing with the Senate Commerce and Economic Development Committee, Senate Executive Committee, and Senate State Government Committee focused on how the state awards its contracts with businesses.
“Prioritizing equity and diversity in the businesses state government buys from and signs contracts with will help strengthen our economy,” Villivalam said. “This is crucial to the COVID-19 economic recovery process and to Illinois taxpayers. They’re placing their trust in us, so it’s our responsibility to make sure the policies and practices are fair and equitable.”
The committee discussed operational challenges in supplier diversity, the Business Enterprise Program and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise policies.
Villivalam believes that fairness and equity are key to expanding opportunities for women-, minority-, and veteran-owned businesses across the state.
“We owe it to the people of Illinois to ensure every business has access to bid for state contracts and to sell products to the state,” Villivalam said. “It’s taken decades to move toward a more equitable process, and while it’s getting better, minority-and women-owned businesses still don’t receive a fair share of state business. We obviously need to do more.”
Villivalam, the committee and stakeholders are committed to ensuring the procurement process becomes more diverse and equitable, including legislative changes, if needed.
CHICAGO – As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Chicago, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is urging residents to utilize free permanent and temporary COVID-19 testing sites.
“We need to continue our strong testing operations to stay ahead of the virus and keep our positivity rates down,” Villivalam said. “It’s vital to get tested even if you don’t feel sick, because asymptomatic people are still capable of passing the virus on to others. Testing and contact tracing are keys to being able to continue to safely reopen our state and economy.”
Individuals who believe they may have been exposed to the virus should get tested 5-7 days after exposure – even if they don’t feel sick. Those with symptoms resembling COVID-19 should also get tested even if they deem medical care unnecessary.
“We have to stay vigilant,” Villivalam said. “Getting a test that is quick and safe will allow anyone who needs to travel, work away from home, or care for children or older adults to make sure they don’t have COVID-19.”
There are currently nearly 300 testing sites across the state, including 11 state-operated community-based testing sites and 12 mobile testing teams. All state operated testing facilities are free.
Senator Villivalam also took an active role in coordinating the placement of two free mobile testing centers in West Rogers Park and Morton Grove during the month of August.
More information about testing locations, times, and requirements can be found at www.dph.illinois.gov/testing.
CHICAGO – In recognition of National Fire Prevention Week, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is reminding people to take fire safety precautions seriously and to follow the guidelines suggested by the Illinois State Fire Marshal.
“Cooking fires can start and grow very quickly,” Villivalam said. “While COVID-19 safety protocols have been our main focus over the past several months, teaching kids where to be and not to be in the kitchen in addition to adopting good fire safety precautions are keys to safety.”
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the US. Almost half of reported home fires start in the kitchen, and according to the National Fire Incident Reporting System, in 2019, Illinois Fire Departments responded to nearly 6,500 fires that were either caused by cooking or originated in the kitchen.
To learn more about National Fire Prevention Week, visit the NFPA website.