CHICAGO –State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the governor signed the Fiscal Year 2024 budget into law:

“I am excited to see the FY 24 budget signed into law. With this budget, we are taking steps to build on the fiscal progress we have made and ensure working families have the assistance they need.

“This balanced budget assists families who need access to affordable child care, increases access to quality home care for our senior residents, and provides grant opportunities for our small businesses and entrepreneurs across the state to prosper.

“Along with these strategic investments in this balanced budget, we have worked to eliminate the backlog of bills and save for future emergencies through the Rainy Day Fund. I was proud to vote for these necessary steps to continue our historic fiscal progress.”

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SPRINGFIELD – To provide more food options for all faiths in Illinois, State Senator Ram Villivalam championed legislation that would provide kosher and halal food options in public schools and state facilities.

“We are recognizing the cultural needs of our community and this is a big step for families who eat kosher or halal,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Everyone deserves to have an option that fits their needs. With this legislation I hope to expand the available options for all residents in Illinois.”

House Bill 3643, would require all public schools, the University of Illinois Hospital and state correctional facilities to offer a kosher and halal food option upon request.

Specifically in schools, the bill would require the State Board of Education to enter into a statewide master contract with a vendor and provide districts access to the contract to more efficiently provide the meals to students. The prepackaged meals for schools would be required to meet both the state and federal nutritional guidelines for school lunch programs.

SPRINGFIELD – After the Senate approved the Fiscal Year 2024 budget Thursday, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“This budget is another step forward on our way to fiscal responsibility as we have balanced our budget and eliminated our bill backlog. With this budget, we continue to invest in our youth, public safety, schools, and our community organizations.

“Illinois will continue to expand investments in human services initiatives through housing support, child and family services, disability assistance and more. We have worked to ensure this budget addresses staffing shortages while also making meaningful investments into programs like home care for seniors.

“And with these investments, we can provide equity for members of all communities, ensure that what goes into the budget is strategic, and continues our path of fiscal responsibility.

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SPRINGFIELD – To provide better health care treatment to diverse communities, State Senator Ram Villivalam passed legislation to establish provisions on cultural competency training for licensed health care professionals.

“Many studies have shown the difference in care people from different backgrounds receive when seeking health care, and this legislation aims to address those gaps,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Cultural competency training is an important tool to make sure doctors and health care professionals are providing equitable care to all communities they serve.”

The legislation, House Bill 2450, establishes provisions on cultural competency training for licensed health care professionals and sets limitations for the training requirements. For individuals whose renewal occurs every two years, they must complete all statutorily mandated topics within three renewal periods. For individuals whose renewal occurs every three years, they must complete all topics within two renewal periods if statutorily mandated.

The legislation will also require Alzheimer’s training to be completed prior to the end of the first renewal period.