SPRINGFIELD – I would like to congratulate my colleague Don Harmon on becoming the Senate President of Illinois. I look forward to working with Senate President Harmon, my other Senate colleagues, members of the House, and Governor Pritzker to continue to enact a progressive agenda that lifts up working families and rights the fiscal ship of our great state.

CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) has been appointed Chair of the Special Committee on Supplier Diversity in the Illinois Senate.

Villivalam will work with members of the committee, the Pritzker administration, and stakeholders to evaluate and propose solutions to improve the diversity of the transportation and infrastructure work that is done in the state of Illinois. The committee is primarily responsible for overseeing public and private sector organizations and ensuring that they offer diverse opportunities to small businesses and job growth for minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses.

“I look forward to expanding opportunities for women, minority, and veteran owned businesses around the state,” Villivalam said. “Supplier diversity is an issue I’ve been working on in the legislature and in my district. My work will prioritize equity while strengthening our economy, two critically important jobs of our state government.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation introduced by State Senator Ram Villivalam that will ensure subcontractors receive payments for their work in a timely manner was signed into law last Friday.

“With this legislation, we’re making the payment process as seamless and transparent as possible, while also ensuring that smaller contractors receive their payments on time.” Villivalam (D-Chicago) said. “Waiting on funds for too long can make or break small businesses.”

Senate Bill 104 would require that subcontractors be paid within ten business days after the prime contractor receives payment. The overwhelming majority of prime contractors receive electronic payments from the state, reducing the need for time when the subcontractors are waiting to be paid their share for work already performed.

Additionally, IDOT will be required to publish a searchable database on its website containing the names and owed balances of subcontractors for each pay period, ensuring transparency and accessibility in the payment process.

This legislation takes effect immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation introduced by State Senator Ram that would create opportunities for careers in water infrastructure was signed into law last Friday.

“The ongoing crisis in Flint, Michigan is a prime example of what can happen to communities when their water infrastructure is neglected by their government for long periods of time,” VIllivalam (D-Chicago) said. “By creating the Clean Water Workforce Pipeline Program, Illinois is taking important steps to avoid that same fate while training local folks for strong, union jobs that will bolster our economy and change lives.”

SB 2146 would require the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create a Clean Water Workforce Pipeline Program that would provide grants and other financial assistance to prepare people for careers in water infrastructure.

This legislation takes effect immediately.