Villivalam: Caregivers deserve a living wage

SPRINGFIELD – With support staff in community living facilities facing high turnover rates and low wages, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) joined advocates to support legislation to increase pay for these frontline workers.

“For too long, the funding meant for essential workers has not reached their wallets,” Villivalam said. “The staff who care for our most vulnerable neighbors deserve a living wage, and I stand with them in calling for better and fairer working conditions.”

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Senator Villivalam, Rep. Gong-Gershowitz announce formation of Illinois Assyrian Caucus

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) announced the formation of the bipartisan, bicameral Illinois Assyrian Caucus today. The Illinois Assyrian Caucus will bring together members of the General Assembly to advocate for Illinois’s Assyrian community by providing a unified platform to educate the public on Assyrian-American identities and issues. Illinois is the first in the nation to establish a statewide caucus on Assyrian issues.

“Illinois is the most welcoming state in the nation and home to hundreds of diverse ethnic communities,” Villivalam said. “Together, we can elevate the voices of our Assyrian-American neighbors and partner in a united effort in addressing the issues their community faces.”

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Feigenholtz: Illinois tourism industry needs funding for recovery efforts

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) joined the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association to urge the General Assembly to pass the Hotel Jobs Recovery Program, which would allocate funds toward rehiring workers after a two year record low occupancy rate caused by the pandemic.

“Nationally and right here in Illinois, the tourism industry took the hardest hit throughout the pandemic,” said Feigenholtz. “Unlike other industries, hotels and lodging were not given federal relief and need an infusion of 250 million in order to keep larger hotels that are destinations for convention visitors afloat. Without this funding, hotels and lodging businesses could be forced to close and many jobs will be lost.”

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Castro welcomes improvements to local water systems

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is pleased to see multiple opportunities for improvement projects slated for municipalities in the district she represents, including funding for wastewater system updates and the replacement of lead service lines.

“Making sure our communities have proper access to safe water systems is always a priority,” Castro said. “Elgin, Hanover Park and Bartlett will all be getting the help they need to address critical infrastructure improvements to keep residents safe and healthy.”

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is awarding $65.6 million in low-interest loans to local governments and sanitary districts to fund wastewater, stormwater and drinking water projects. In the 22^nd district, the Village of Bartlett is receiving $37 million to update the wastewater treatment plant on Stearns Road, including the installation of a new control system and updating outdated components of the plant.

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