SPRINGFIELD – After a renewed surge in COVID-19 infections forced the postponement of the upcoming General Assembly veto session at the Capitol, Senate Transportation Chair Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Spokesperson Donald DeWitte (R-St. Charles) pledge to continue to work together to improve Illinois’ infrastructure.

Villivalam and DeWitte remain committed to working in a bipartisan manner on a number of issues.

“Even though the Illinois General Assembly will not be convening for veto session due to the recent rise in COVID-19 infections and increasing hospitalizations, we pledge to continue to do the work of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee, including—among other vital issues—ensuring the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan is executed in a responsible and transparent manner,” Villivalam said. “We remain committed to ensuring our roads, highways and bridges are safe.”

Originally published in Block Club Chicago, November 10, 2020.

The temporary COVID-19 testing site will open Thursday at 3333 W. Touhy Ave. in Lincolnwood.

WEST RIDGE — A temporary coronavirus testing site will help Far North Side residents. 

The free testing site is coming to the Lincolnwood Town Center parking lot at 3333 W. Touhy Ave. in Lincolnwood. The site will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Monday. 

Walkup and drive-thru testing will be conducted at the site. Nasal swab tests will be used, and results will be available in four to seven business says, according to the office of State Sen. Ram Villivalam. 

The testing site is open to all and is free, the senator’s office said. Those with health insurance should bring their cards, but insurance is not needed to receive a test. 

The testing site comes as coronavirus cases in the state are soaring, with more than 22,000 cases reported over the weekend. At the beginning of the pandemic, West Ridge had the highest concentration of positive COVID-19 cases in the city, and the area is beginning to see an uptick in new cases and its positivity rate.

CHICAGO – As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is urging residents to take advantage of a new temporary testing site set up at the Lincolnwood Town Center parking lot.

“We need to continue our strong testing and contact tracing operations to stay ahead of the virus and keep our positivity rates down,” Villivalam said. “This temporary testing site a way to make it easier than ever to get a fast, easy and free test, but it’s also key to being able to safely reopen our state and economy. Testing and contact tracing are vital to being able to continue getting back to normal activities without compromising on our health and safety.” 

The temporary testing site is located at 3333 W Touhy Avenue in Lincolnwood. Testing will be available Thursday, Nov. 12 through Monday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Simple nasal swabs will be used, and both drive-thru and walk-up testing are available. Anyone can get tested regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms. The tests are free, and the results will be available within four to seven business days. Residents should bring their insurance card but can still get a test without insurance. 

“We’ve worked very hard to keep our state’s net positivity rate down,” Villivalam said. “If we don’t want to face any major setbacks to restoring a sense of normalcy, we have to stay vigilant.”

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department on Aging recently announced the 2020 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame inductees, and State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is sending his congratulations to Vivian Mitchel of Morton Grove. 

“Inductees like Vivian Mitchel have made important contributions to our communities,” Villivalam said. “I want to congratulate Vivian for being this year’s Labor Force inductee and I want to thank her for her hard work and dedication to uplifting the spirits of those at the North Shore Senior Center by planning fun and engaging activities for everyone.” 

Vivian Mitchel has served in a variety of professional roles throughout her life. She spent years working at Oakton Community College, where she founded the Emeritus Program, an umbrella for multiple senior programs and services with the motto “Older people are healthier when they have a purpose.” She also worked tirelessly at the North Shore Senior Center planning and executing memorable day trips, play-acting classes, entertainment luncheons, and the Super Senior Day.  

The Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame was created by the Illinois General Assembly in 1994. It contains four separate categories that honor residents ages 65 and older for their personal achievements. Since its inception, 125 people, including the 2020 class, have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The ceremony took place during the department’s one-day virtual symposium focused on COVID-19 and its impact on older adults and the Aging Network.