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  4. Senator Ram Villivalam News

Villivalam announces local schools set to receive over $23 million

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Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Published: Monday, April 05, 2021 11:36 AM
  • Villivalam
  • School Funding
  • Federal COVID Relief Package
  • American Rescue Plan

school kids 040521CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is announcing that school districts in the 8th Senate District will receive over $23 million in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I want to thank our local teachers, parents and students for their work during the pandemic and our state and national leaders for making this happen,” Villivalam said. “This year posed challenges on our educators, and I am confident that these extra funds will help them succeed in the upcoming school year.”

The funding comes as part of the most recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

Local school districts are set to receive the following amounts:

Golf ESD 67 - $712,226

East Prairie SD 73 - $861,244

Skokie SD 69 - $5,650,534

Skokie SD 73-5 - $2,002,051

Morton Grove SD 70 - $1,055,871

Lincolnwood SD 74 - $2,492,511

Niles ESD 71 - $1,526,939

Niles Township HSD 219 - $7,458,913

Fairview SD 72 - $1,444,728

Chicago Public Schools System - $2,585,229,735

The majority of the funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, which gives local schools a great deal of flexibility in how they can use the money over the next 3 ½ years. At least 20% of the funding must be used to address learning loss, but beyond that, school districts can use the money to address many different issues and costs. For example, it can be used to better equip schools for safe learning, to prevent layoffs, to address students’ social and emotional needs, to fund summer programs, or to ensure all students have access to reliable Wi-Fi and technology.

The State Board of Education, in collaboration with other state agencies that address education, has produced a guide for local school districts to help them decide how to best use their resources. While the guide and other state-sponsored services are completely voluntary, the state aims to support local districts during this difficult time.

In total, Illinois received nearly $7 billion to support local school districts.

Twenty-four Senate Democrats file support for Villivalam gun safety bill

Details
Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Published: Friday, March 26, 2021 09:12 AM
  • Villivalam
  • Background Checks
  • FOID
  • Gun Safety
  • SB568

backgrnd chk 032621SPRINGFIELD – Twenty-four Illinois Senate Democrats signed on to State Senator Ram Villivalam’s (D-Chicago) legislation to block the illegal ownership of firearms on Thursday following a series of shootings across the country.

“We must take bold action now to protect our communities,” Villivalam said. “Reasonable gun safety measures that a majority of Americans support, like background checks, must be a part of the process to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals.”

The legislation would require background checks for all gun sales, collect fingerprints from FOID card applicants, would enable the Illinois State Police to reduce illegal gun purchases and the state dedicate mental health funding for communities most impacted by gun violence.

 

The surge in support for the bill comes after four major incidents of gun violence across the country in the last week: a racially motivated attack in Atlanta, Georgia on March 16, a mass shooting in Boulder, Colorado on March 22, a shooting in East St. Louis, Illinois on March 23, and a series of shootings in Chicago, Illinois on March 24.

The legislation, Senate Bill 568, is assigned to the Senate Executive Committee.

Villivalam: We can’t wait for the next tragedy to act on gun violence

Details
Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Published: Friday, March 19, 2021 04:44 PM
  • Villivalam
  • Atlanta Shooting
  • AAPI

villivalam 031921CHICAGO – After a deadly, racially motivated shooting spree in Atlanta, Georgia, and an arrest outside of the U.S. Naval Conservatory, current home of the first Asian American Vice President, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is calling on his colleagues to pass public safety measures to help prevent another tragedy.

“We can’t wait for the next tragedy to act on gun violence,” Villivalam said. “Our communities are under attack. We need to enact common sense gun violence prevention policy to improve public safety for every community, especially those communities that are being specifically targeted.”

Read more: Villivalam: We can’t wait for the next tragedy to act on gun violence

Villivalam to host virtual job fair

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Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Published: Wednesday, January 27, 2021 01:48 PM
  • Villivalam
  • Virtual Job Expo

virt job fair 012721CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam is partnering with local officials and workforce development agencies to bring a virtual job fair to residents of the 8th Senate District next week. The free, online event will take place Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“My office and I have assisted several hundred residents who are experiencing unemployment or underemployment. People are struggling right now and through our conversations, we know they are asking for a hand up, not a hand out,” Villivalam said. “I encourage everyone seeking employment opportunities to virtually meet the many employers looking for local talent.”

Read more: Villivalam to host virtual job fair

Villivalam: 194 local businesses receive Business Interruption Grants

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Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Published: Monday, January 25, 2021 03:05 PM
  • Villivalam
  • Small Business
  • BIG Program

small biz 102820CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) announced the local recipients of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Program’s second round of funding.

“I was honored to work with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to secure funding for our local businesses in the 8th District,” Villivalam said. “Small businesses are the engine of our economy and must be prioritized for economic relief to help them through this difficult time.”

Round 2 BIG funding was awarded to over 6,100 small businesses across the state, including 194 small businesses in the 8th Senate District. $227 million was distributed in Round 2, totaling $276 million in small business relief since the program began.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), who administer the BIG Program, contacted all applicants that hadn’t received a response by Dec. 30, 2020 of their application status. Small businesses that did not receive funding can apply for assistance from their local Small Business Development Center.

For more information of the BIG Program, visit DCEO’s website.

Villivalam passes Future of Work Act

Details
Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Published: Thursday, January 14, 2021 01:21 PM
  • Villivalam
  • HB3469
  • Future of Work Act

villivalam 011421­CHICAGO – To set a standard of dignified working conditions in new industries, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) passed the Future of Work Act in the Illinois Senate on Wednesday.

“Our economy is changing dramatically to adapt to the pandemic, new industries and technology,” Villivalam said. “Illinois must be a leader in building an equitable future for working families by establishing clear and dignified standards of work.”

The Future of Work Act would establish the Future of Work Task Force to assess new and emerging technologies that have the potential to impact employment and wages, develop a baseline of job standards and working conditions, facilitate workforce development and research best practices on how to deploy technology to benefit working people.

The Task Force would consist of 16 bipartisan members of the General Assembly, six members appointed by the governor, the Superintendent of the State Board of Education and the Directors of the Illinois Departments of Labor, Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Employment Security.

The Future of Work Task Force will issue its final report to the governor and General Assembly by Nov. 1, 2021. The legislation, filed under House Bill 3469, awaits consideration in the Illinois House.

Villivalam to drivers: Drive safely, track road conditions through IDOT’s website

Details
Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Published: Thursday, December 17, 2020 10:57 AM
  • Villivalam
  • Winter Driving
  • Getting Around Illinois
  • Winter Road Conditions

car snow 121720CHICAGO – As Chairperson of the Senate Transportation Committee, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is urging drivers to visit the Department of Transportation’s GettingAroundIllinois.com to track winter road conditions.

“With winter weather and the pandemic, staying home this holiday season is the safest option,” Villivalam said. “If you have to travel, though, make sure your path is safe by visiting Getting Around Illinois for instant updates.”

GettingAroundIllinois.com is available online and optimized for smartphones. Road conditions are recorded by plow drivers out in the field and relayed via network to GettingAroundIllinois.com to provide an up-to-date general overview on IDOT-maintained highways.

Holiday travelers should also make sure they have emergency items in their vehicle in case of a weather emergency or breakdown. The National Safety Council recommends every vehicle have a blanket, first aid kit, spare tire and tools, jumper cables and a flashlight with extra batteries in case of emergency.

Villivalam: New free COVID-19 testing site open, asks residents to get tested

Details
Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Published: Friday, December 04, 2020 02:16 PM
  • Villivalam
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Bernard Horwich JCC

covid test 120420CHICAGO – In light of the likely rise in positive COVID-19 cases due to holiday travel, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is urging residents to take advantage of a newly opened permanent testing site set up at the Bernard Horwich JCC in the Rosenstone Room.  

“We need to continue and improve our testing operations to stay ahead of the virus and prevent a big post-holiday outbreak,” Villivalam said. “This testing site is free, and it’s easy to get a fast test.” 

The testing site will open this Friday, Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. and is located at 3003 W. Touhy Ave. in Chicago. Testing will be available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Simple nasal swabs will be used, and there is free parking on site. Anyone can get tested regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms, but appointments are required to avoid overcrowding and to allow for social distancing. The tests are free, and the results will be available within three to five days. Residents should bring their insurance card if they have one, but anyone can still get a test without insurance. 

“If you traveled to celebrate the holidays with friends or family, getting a test is the best way to make sure you aren’t accidentally bringing the virus home to a loved one,” Villivalam said. “We all want to see our loved ones, especially during the holidays, but we also need to make sure we take every possible precaution to remain in good health.” 

Appointments can be booked on the JCC testing website. 

More Articles ...

  1. Villivalam: 52 local businesses in 8th District received funding, still time to apply
  2. Villivalam urges residents to take advantage of a free, temporary COVID-19 testing site in Lincolnwood
  3. Villivalam congratulates 2020 Senior Hall of Fame Inductee
  4. Villivalam urges residents to utilize free COVID-19 testing

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