­CHICAGO – Thanks in part to funding secured with the support of State Senator Ram Villivalam, Northeastern Illinois University received a $2.5 million grant to create the Business Innovation and Growth Center, which will spur job creation and economic activity in underserved areas.

“The vigorous administration of today’s announced investment will make NEIU a leader in supporting economic equity across Chicagoland,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Ensuring that underserved areas have ample access to economic opportunities will grow stronger communities and build a lasting legacy of success for our neighbors.”

­SPRINGFIELD – In collaboration with law enforcement, states attorneys, criminal justice reform advocates and other stakeholders, State Senator Ram Villivalam helped advance legislation from the Illinois Senate that clarifies portions of the historic SAFE-T and Pretrial Fairness Acts.

“Thanks to a truly collaborative effort, we preserved the original intent of the Pretrial Fairness Act – to ensure that people are incarcerated based on their threat to our community, not their ability to pay bail,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Despite false narratives about the law, the reforms made under the SAFE-T Act will have a smoother implementation in our justice system with this clarifying measure.”

House Bill 1095 provides clarification to the Pretrial Fairness Act portions of the SAFE-T Act since its passage in January 2021. The legislation makes clear that judges can issue warrants and summons, providing a reminder that any person who poses a threat to the community or someone else – including trespassers – can be arrested, and clarifying court authority when it comes to electronic monitoring, among other items.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to resolve an ongoing stalemate at the Niles-Maine District Library Board advanced from the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday, thanks to advocacy from State Senators Laura Murphy and Ram Villivalam, and State Rep. Mike Kelly.

“The passing of this legislation is necessary to fill the board vacancy that has hampered services for far too long,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “It’s time for the community to have a fully functioning board that fulfills their responsibility to the community and restores the Niles-Maine District Library to the greatness previously known to the  community.”

After a former board member resigned in August 2021, the Niles-Maine District Library Board was unable fill the vacancy due to a 3-3 tie vote. A new law reforming the appointment process was signed by the governor in the spring, which gave the Secretary of State authority to appoint a replacement under his role as State Librarian if a library board could not fill a vacancy within 90 days.

CHICAGO – Thanks to support from State Senator Ram Villivalam, the Village of Niles will receive a $1.8 million investment as part of the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets program.

“Local business districts are what make our area a great place to live and work,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Investing in our small business community will help to build an equitable recovery from the pandemic, create jobs and grow a stronger local economy.”