CHICAGO – Fifteen local restaurants will receive grants of up to $50,000 thanks to the Illinois Back to Business grant program and support from State Senator Ram Villivalam.

“Our small businesses are still excperiencing challenges created by the pandemic over two years later. We need to continue to facilitate their recovery and ensure that our local business corridors continue to prosper,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “These grant funds will go a long way for small businesses by helping supplement financial downturns, provide funding for utilities and maintenance, and assist with operational expenses.”

Restaurants in the communities of the 8^th District will receive a combined total of $455,000 through this round of Back to Business grants and include:

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) issued the following statement after Governor JB Pritzker vetoed House Bill 3643, which would have required all public schools, the University of Illinois Hospital and state correctional facilities to offer a kosher and halal food option upon request:

"I am disappointed in the governor’s veto of providing Halal and Kosher food options to our youth in schools.

“The innovative concept of the Illinois State Board of Education securing a master contract to accomplish the above goal was one that was brought forward by school districts in their attempt to meet the diverse dietary needs of our students.

“As I have from the beginning, I look forward to continuing robust discussions to accomplish this goal.”

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SPRINGFIELD – To help ensure that saving a life does not come at the cost of employment, State Senator Ram Villivalam championed a new law to give employees up to ten days of paid leave for serving as an organ donor.

"Our state is made up of amazing people who are incredibly giving and care deeply for their neighbors," said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “When someone donates an organ to help a person in need, it is important they are able to take earned leave time off to recuperate."

Under Villivalam’s law, employees can take up to ten days of earned leave in any 12-month period to serve as an organ donor. The earned leave applies to employees of any unit of local government, board of election commissioners, and private employer in Illinois with 51 or more employees.

"There is nothing more important than saving a life," said Villivalam. "We are grateful for our residents who donate organs to help save lives and this legislation helps ensure their ability to do so.”

House Bill 3516 was signed on Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam’s comprehensive public transit plan and commuter benefits legislation were signed into law Friday.

“As we work on a comprehensive solution to address the funding challenges that our major public transit agencies are facing, these laws are critical first steps to making our public transit operations more accessible, equitable, environmentally conscious, transparent and safer,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “These laws will significantly assist the hundreds of thousands of riders who use Illinois transit every day and encourage more residents to do the same."

House Bill 1342 allows public transit agencies to suspend riders if the rider commits assault, battery, sexual assault or violations of public indecency toward an employee or another commuter. It also provides for a formal appeals process.