SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the governor outlined his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025:

“It is great to see that Governor’s Pritzker’s proposed budget closes corporate loopholes to continue our commitment to funding K-12 public education, supporting our seniors, safety for all of us, and prioritizing economic development in Illinois. It is imperative that we continue investing into our communities – from our youth to our seniors.

“Everyone deserves the right to a high-quality education, regardless of ZIP code. Being a father to two children, I understand the importance of always investing in our young people. The investments we make in our children will pay off dividends for years to come.

“By increasing funding for home-delivered meal programs and the Community Care Program, we can provide our seniors with the opportunity to live their lives with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

“We need to continue our commitment to attract the best and brightest entrepreneurs to make Illinois their home. The proposed funding toward grants, resources and apprenticeship programs is going to help grow our economy and create new good-paying jobs for Illinoisans.

“This is an encouraging first step in the budget process. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to pass a budget that prioritizes the needs of our community and state.”

SPRINGFIELD – To provide additional access to Illinois' Early Childhood Construction Grant program, State Senator Ram Villivalam passed legislation out of the Senate Education Committee that would make community-based not-for-profits eligible for $40 million in grant funds.

“Early childhood organizations provide necessary assistance to families across Illinois who are struggling to access child care resources,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “With this legislation, we are able to provide opportunities for nonprofit organizations in our community to be eligible for grants that would significantly assist them with providing better learning environments for our youth.”

This new legislation, Senate Bill 2675, would remove a provision specifying that grants made in fiscal year 2024 could be awarded only to public school districts.

"On behalf of the 37 programs that make up JUF’s Early Childhood Collaborative, including the Bernard Horwich JCC, we know that access to infrastructure dollars is critical to building care environments that are accessible, safe, and promote healthy development,” said Amy Zimmerman, Assistant Vice President, State Government Affairs, Jewish United Fund.

CHICAGO – In an effort to lift the spirits of seniors in the 8th District, State Senator Ram Villivalam invites residents of all ages to get creative and donate homemade or store-bought valentines.

“Writing a note or a card goes a long way toward supporting the seniors in our community,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “We want to spread a little cheer this year and help uplift the spirits of seniors in our community, and I strongly encourage everyone who is able to send a card and join us in reminding them of how important they are to our community.”

Villivalam is encouraging community members in the area to write Valentine’s Day cards for local seniors, which can be dropped off or mailed to his district office. Once all the cards have been collected, they will be delivered to various senior facilities in the 8th District.

The collection of Valentine’s Day cards will run through Friday, Feb. 9. Those wishing to participate can drop off cards at Villivalam’s office or mail them to 3851 W. Devon Ave., Chicago, IL 60659.

For more information, residents can contact Villivalam’s office at (872) 208-5188 or www.SenatorRam.com.

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­CHICAGO – Illinois formally implemented the nation's biggest reform to contractor redlining in public works law. The General Assembly passed, and Governor JB Pritzker certified on Dec. 8, House Bill 2878. Part of the new law is a larger exception from the requirement that contractors purchase wealth-based surety bonds on public contracts. The law tripled the exception for local governments (from $50K to $150K) and increased it by ten times for IDOT and the Tollway (from $50K to $500K). As of Jan. 1, 2024, contracts under that amount no longer will require surety bonds.

 “I am grateful to all the stakeholders for their work on this vital legislation which will remove barriers for small businesses, many of which are women, veteran, and minority owned," said Senator Villivalam. "This legislation will help make our state more equitable and assist agencies in completing projects more efficiently."

“We are over-insuring public contracts, leading to higher costs and locking out minority- and women-owned businesses from participating and growing, because insurance is priced on the wealth of the owner, not on his or her capabilities. Right-sizing insurance requirements like surety bonds will lead to more projects and more generational wealth for communities that need it the most.” said Representative Kam Buckner, who filed HB2482 that would have raised the contract exemption to $5,000,000. 

“We are leading the charge against redlining and paving the way for diverse contractors. This accomplishment is a national blueprint for progress. Here in Illinois, we’ve built and opened the road to fairness. This wouldn’t be possible without the Illinois Senate’s unwavering commitment to equality, and I’m proud of the work our caucus has done and the leadership provided by Senators Villivalam and Castro,” said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon.

Senate Bill 157 filed by Senator Villivalam and co-sponsored by Senators Peters, Fine, Hunter, Harris, Lightford and Castro would have raised the minimum contract value from $50,000 to $5,000,000.

“Ensuring access for minority businesses is foundational for a stronger, better Illinois. Surety bonds have locked out entrepreneurs who have the ability and know-how but not the wealth to work on public works projects. This is unacceptable and I’m delighted we are reducing this contractor redlining this year.” said Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch.