­CHICAGO – Seniors and people with a disability will soon see their vehicle registration fee significantly reduced thanks to a new law supported by Senate Transportation Committee chair Ram Villivalam.

“Making driver services more affordable will improve equity across the state for all who use our roads,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “I am proud to support cost-savings measures like this for all our seniors and neighbors living with disabilities.”

House Bill 5304 reduces the vehicle registration fee from $24 to $10 for vehicle owners and their spouses who receive benefits under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act. An individual qualifies for the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act if they are 65 years of age or older or a person who is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to a physical or mental disability, and meet income requirements.

House Bill 5304 was signed into law on Friday, May 13 and is effective immediately.

CHICAGO – To make housing more accessible to low-income families, legislation to prevent property owners from discriminating against a prospective renter’s source of income, championed by State Senator Ram Villivalam, was signed into law on Monday.

"No one should be denied housing when they have the means to make the rent,” said State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago). “This measure will protect individuals on government assistance, single mothers receiving child support and seniors on fixed incomes who may have been turned away from housing in the past.”

Read more ...

Originally published on India News Times on May 16, 2022.

In its 30th year of existence, the Metropolitan Asian Family Services or MAFS for short, celebrated the anniversary May 14, 2022. The event also celebration May as Asian American Heritage month. The event was held at the new MAFS office on Devon Avenue.

Organizers said in a press release that it was a “grand success.”

Starting with the Ganesh Vandana, a prayer performed by Srividya and Varsha from Malhar Dance Academy, the event included American and Indian anthems sung by Gauri Yadav and Dr. Sonal Patel respectively.

The lamp-lighting ceremony was led by Executive Director Dr. Santosh Kumar with all the dignitaries.

Prominent attendees included Illinois State Senator of District 28, Laura Murphy who commended MAFS for the work it does in the Asian American community. Illinois State Senator of 8th District Ram Villivalam said MAFS is a very positive influence in his district and he is ecstatic about the opening of the new location to help more seniors with services.

Read more ...

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) released the following statement after voting to pass the state’s FY23 budget and tax relief plan:

“This year’s tax relief plan makes critical investments in working families with an increased Earned Income Tax Credit that, for the first time, will be available to taxpayers regardless of immigrant status. According to Economic Security for Illinois this will put a projected $7.4 million back in the pockets of the more than 16,000 earned income filers that live in our district.

“Keeping our commitment to equitably funding schools, the evidence-based school funding formula will provide an additional $350 million for K-12 education to drive student success in every community.

“With gun violence on the rise in our communities, we are putting $235 million toward proactive measures to curb gun violence under the Reimagine Public Safety Act. It also invests millions of dollars to support public safety measures that will prevent these tragedies from happening.

“Our budget considers the struggles that working people have faced throughout the pandemic and prioritizes those most in need of relief.”