CHICAGO –  State Senator Ram Villivalam –  a longtime public transit advocate, and chair of the Senate Transportation Committee – will host a number of hearings throughout the coming months to discuss the state of public transit, ranging from how it positively impacts our economic and public health system to the service improvements that need to take place to better serve our communities.

“In order to provide a public transit system that works for our people, we have to collaboratively discuss how it can better serve our communities,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “These hearings will serve as a place for these conversations to occur, and ensure we are working toward the common goal of providing safe, reliable, accessible, economically impactful, and environmentally conscious transportation for all.”

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Ram Villivalam led the charge on a new law that ensures options for those seeking a correction to information on a birth certificate.

“No one should have to be in a situation where their important documents do not reflect who they are,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “It was imperative that we streamlined the process for when someone is seeking such changes.”

Currently, if someone has a birth certificate issued by a different state or country, the person would have to secure a lawyer in that state or country and travel to make the change to the document.

CHICAGO- To enhance access for veterans seeking to add veteran status to their identification cards, State Senator Ram Villivalam and State Representative Michael Kelly are partnering with the office of the Secretary of State to offer a mobile Department of Motor Vehicles.

“I am grateful for the sacrifice and service our veterans have provided to our nation. The least we can do is make the services they need more accessible to them,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “I want to thank Secretary Giannoulias, Rep. Kelly, and Post 3579 for working with my office and me to make this event possible.”

The event will be held Friday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Niles Memorial VFW Post 3579, located at 7255 N. Caldwell Ave. in Niles. Attendees will have access to services including renewing their vehicle registration stickers, driver’s licenses and state identification cards, as well as adding veteran status to their identification cards.

Attendees are recommended to register prior to the event by calling Villivalam’s office at 872-208-5188 or Kelly’s office at 773-736-0218. Preference will be given to those who register prior to event.

“Although the Secretary of State has done a great job by expanding access to DMV locations, especially for seniors, we wanted to extend that accessibility to veterans who already frequent Post 3579 in Niles,” said Kelly (D-Chicago). “It can be difficult for veterans to prove they served in the military, and by adding the veterans status to their driver’s license or state IDs helps to make it easier when they need to prove military status.”

SPRINGFIELD - In continuation of an initiative from State Senator Ram Villivalam, five local chambers of commerce received funding to help support small businesses.

“Small businesses are an essential underpinning to our economy,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “I am honored to see that five of our local chambers were able to receive grants that will continue to invest into our vibrant communities.”