Villivalam leads measure to ensure affordable, accessible housing for Illinoisans

SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam is spearheading a measure through the Senate aimed at ensuring accessible, affordable housing in Illinois.

“Since 2024, cost of living has continued to rise, and now the Trump administration is continuing to make it harder for working families to access quality, affordable housing in their own neighborhoods,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “With residents potentially facing additional federal requirements to secure adequate housing, we must act now to ensure all Illinoisans have housing options within reach.”

Read more: Villivalam leads measure to ensure affordable, accessible housing for Illinoisans

Feigenholtz spearheads Faith-Based Housing and Mixed-Use by Right Act

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is leading a transformative proposal that aims to give faith-based organizations the tools to revitalize and redevelop closed and underutilized houses of worship into affordable residential housing.

“Many religious institutions already serve vulnerable populations through programs and outreach services,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Extending these services to include permanent or supportive housing is a natural progression of their mission.”

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Lightford leads hemp, adult use cannabis regulation legislation

SPRINGFIELD – Following years of steadfast advocacy and negotiations, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is leading Senate Bill 20 – a measure that brings critical consumer protections to Illinois’ hemp-derived CBD marketplace.

“From protecting a grandmother buying CBD oil for arthritis, to making sure a social equity transporter can build a real business, to guarding underage youth from harmful products — this bill is simply about people,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Effective regulation is about safeguarding public health and fostering a sustainable, trustworthy market.”

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Villivalam stands alongside rideshare drivers advocating for the right to unionize

State Senator Ram Villivalam joined members of the Illinois Rideshare Alliance on Tuesday to advocate for the passage of Senate Bill 2906 – a measure that would allow rideshare drivers in Illinois to unionize.

“With the increase in popularity of apps like Uber and Lyft, rideshare drivers have increasingly spoken out about their lack of rights, protections and little to no transparency about pay,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Every worker deserves the right to organize. Current laws exclude rideshare drivers from the right to organize ─ leaving more than 100,000 Illinoisans without a voice on the job while corporations like Uber and Lyft make billions.”

The number of adults who work as taxi drivers or chauffeurs for their primary job has tripled over the last decade thanks to app-based rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Since the increase in popularity of these apps for both consumers and laborers, rideshare drivers have increasingly spoken out about their lack of rights, protections and little to no transparency about pay.

Read more: Villivalam stands alongside rideshare drivers advocating for the right to unionize