Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam
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Villivalam passes plan to provide halal and kosher food options in public schools

Category: Press Releases
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 03:18 PM

Sen. Ram VillivalamCHICAGO – Three months after Governor JB Pritzker vetoed a bill that would provide halal and kosher food options to students upon request in Illinois public schools in addition to those options being available at state facilities and the University of Illinois Hospital, State Senator Ram Villivalam passed a measure that was agreed upon by stakeholders and the governor.

“I am proud of our collaborative work to make the technical changes requested by the governor to ensure the successful implementation of this legislation,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “We are recognizing the cultural needs of our community and this is a big step for families who eat kosher or halal. Everyone deserves to have an option that fits their needs and feel included.”

Villivalam worked alongside the governor to pass an agreed-upon bill that will provide culturally appropriate lunches to those who request.

“This bill will allow students to have halal and kosher lunch options regardless of where they reside in the state of Illinois,” said State Representative Kevin Olickal (D-Skokie). “This is yet another example of Illinois' commitment to being a welcoming and accepting state.”

Specifically in public schools, the legislation would require the Illinois State Board of Education to enter into statewide master contracts from vendors across the state and give school districts access to the contract so they can more efficiently provide meals to students.

Read more …

Villivalam and State Representative Olickal send letter to IEMA and Office of Homeland Security

Category: News
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 11:13 AM
State Representative Kevin Olickal and I sent a letter to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security requesting them to expedite the release of grant funds for organizations in our communities to make security improvements.
 
Communities need these funds now. We are experiencing unprecedented levels of hate and this is one step in addressing the fact that hate does not discriminate, and it impacts all of our communities.
 
 
Read more here.

Major projects highlight Year 5 of Rebuild Illinois

Category: Press Releases
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 04:28 PM

Entering Year Five of Rebuild Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced multiple projects in the northern Cook County area are planned or underway, highlighting an ongoing commitment made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan capital program. Eight major projects represent a total investment of more than $40 million, improving safety, mobility and quality of life while sustaining and creating good-paying jobs throughout the region.

“Rebuild Illinois is revitalizing communities and neighborhoods by investing in projects and people in the northern Cook County area and throughout the state,” said Gov. Pritzker. “Through the largest capital program in state history, IDOT will be delivering improvements to build a more resilient, accessible and equitable system of transportation for generations to come, while creating jobs and enhancing local quality of life.”

The eight projects are all scheduled to be completed between through 2025:

Read more …

Report on Public Transit in the RTA region

Category: Press Releases
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 12:02 PM

chicago 191876 1280Following the vote to approve the report put together by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) on how to provide reliable, safe, accessible, affordable, and environmentally conscious public transit on the CTA, Metra, and PACE in the RTA region, State Senator Ram Villivalam shared his thoughts on the importance of a robust public transit system and the next steps to achieve that goal.

"The stakes are too high for us not to fully review and comprehend and act on this report," said Villivalam (D-Chicago). "We need a robust discussion — it's what our constituents have asked us for. I would imagine we would be holding meetings and committee hearings over the next year for people to testify as to their beliefs and positions on some of these issues.”

CMAP adopted the proposal last Wednesday, a plan that included options to change the governance, improve service, provide stable funding, and adopt a more regional mindset.

To read more about the CMAP proposal and how transportation may look in Chicago, take a look at the Daily Herald’s article. 

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More Articles …

  1. Senator Villivalam's statement on terrorist attacks against Israel
  2. Villivalam celebrates recipients of the Artist Fellowship Award
  3. Villivalam announces $455,000 in Back to Business grants for local restaurants
  4. Villivalam will continue to fight for solutions to religious dietary concerns in schools
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Welcome

I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy. While there is no question that the last few years have been an unprecedented and unsettling time for all of us, my office and I have partnered with and witnessed the incredible support offered by members of our communities.
 
I remain committed to providing proactive, progressive, and effective representation on behalf of the residents of the 8th State Senate District.
 
My office and I aim to provide top notch constituent services and to keep you updated on the latest in Springfield. This website is your portal to connecting with my office and I for any way we may be of assistance to you or your family, including keeping you informed on our community-centered agenda in the Illinois Senate. Below you can find our contact information, office hours and the latest news.
 
We're available in-person or by telephone and/or email Monday through Friday from 9AM-5PM. We frequently check our voicemail as well as our email system outside those hours to ensure we're helping with all urgent constituent matters.
 
Please call us at 872-208-5188 or click the CONTACT US tab above.

All my best,
villivalam sig
Ram Villivalam
State Senator, IL-08

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Office Info

District Office
3851 W. Devon Ave.
Chicago, IL 60659
(872) 208-5188

Springfield Office
Stratton Office Building
401 S. Spring St.
Section C, Office E
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-5500

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