SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) passed a resolution in the Illinois Senate that declares Nov. 4, 2021 as Diwali Day in Illinois.

“I am honored to celebrate Diwali as an official holiday this year,” Villivalam said. “Our communities that observe Diwali are grateful to live in a welcoming state that values the religious and cultural diversity of its residents.”

Diwali is a five-day festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs worldwide. It celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, symbolically represented by a festival of lights. Celebrants of Diwali traditionally light small oil lamps throughout their homes, craft flower garlands, share sweets and launch paper lanterns after dark.

Senate Resolution 593 passed without opposition in the Illinois Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate declaring October 2021 as Hindu Heritage Month in Illinois.

“Hindus have furthered our state’s cultural diversity and economic prosperity,” Villivalam said. “As the senator of one of the most diverse districts in the state and the first Hindu to serve in the Illinois state legislature, I am proud to be a chief co-sponsor of legislation to honor the contributions of Hindu communities across Illinois."

Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world with 6 million followers in the United States, and over 250,000 in Illinois. Hinduism is an inclusive religion, as it does not have a singular founder, text or set of beliefs. Rather, it consists of a variety of practices, cultural values and norms that differ amongst its followers.

Senate Resolution 545 passed without opposition in the Illinois Senate.

­MORTON GROVE – State Senators Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Laura Fine (D-Glenview) joined administrators, staff and other officials on Monday for a groundbreaking ceremony at the Julia S. Molloy Education Center in Morton Grove.

“This expansion will provide students throughout our community with a quality learning environment tailored to their needs,” Villivalam said. “I am proud to stand with our youth, parents and educators that serve our community today.”

"The Molloy School is life changing for the most vulnerable students in our district," Senator Fine said. "This expansion will allow the school to continue its incredible work of educating our children.”

Gov. Pritzker, Democratic and Republican leaders convene government, labor movement, business leaders to confront seismic shifts in economic environment

CHICAGO (September 28, 2021)--Convened by Gov. JB Pritzker and Democratic and Republican legislative leadership and powered by a bold agenda to confront unprecedented challenges facing Illinois’ workforce in the coming decade, the bipartisan Illinois Future of Work Task Force held its first meeting today at Olive-Harvey College on Chicago’s South Side. The 26-member panel includes leading employers, economic thinkers, and representatives from the labor movement. It is chaired by State Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and State Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago), with a mission over the next nine months to analyze major economic shifts and emerging technologies, and prepare policy recommendations that help the state to combat the worsening crisis of poverty, inequality, and climate change.

The task force is charged with issuing its findings in a report for the Illinois Legislature identifying the main problems facing workers and businesses of the future, and outlining proactive policy solutions to keep Illinois ahead of coming economic trends.

“We are proud to see this bipartisan, diverse task force convening and ready to take on the challenges ahead. This task force is the first of its kind in the Midwest, and the first in the country to address the future of work in the wake of the pandemic and its impact on our economy,” said Harish I. Patel, Director of Economic Security for Illinois, which spearheaded the effort to convene the task force. “This task force puts the future of Illinois’ workforce in capable hands.”

Task force members were appointed by legislative leaders from both political parties. The 26 members and 2 co-chairs were appointed by Gov. Pritzker, Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich), House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Westchester), and House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs).

“The future of work is now; and working people across Illinois are counting on us to create an economy that works for everyone,” said State Senator Ram Villivalam, a co-chair of the task force. “Our team on the Future of Work task force is laying the foundation for 21st Century jobs to continue to grow, while fighting for dignified working conditions for all.”