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CHICAGO – School districts will now have greater flexibility in contracting with food service providers, thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Ram Villivalam that was signed on Wednesday.

“Local school boards know what food options are best for students in their communities,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Our plan allows schools to contract with providers that share the same set of values as they do.”

CHICAGO – In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“This attack on Roe v. Wade is appalling. While we’ve expanded protections for reproductive health care in our state, an infinite number of communities across the country will be negatively affected by this decision.

SPRINGFIELD – Sports fans will soon have additional options for special license plates thanks to legislation by State Senator Ram Villivalam that was signed into law on Thursday.

“Showing support for your favorite team will now include our women’s soccer and basketball teams,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “These license plates will provide additional revenue for the state while showcasing the teams that drive our success.”

House Bill 4434 authorizes the Illinois Secretary of State to issue special license plates for the Chicago Sky, Chicago Red Stars and the Chicago Fire. Other professional sports teams with special plates include the Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals.

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CHICAGO – A new law to allow an alternative project delivery method on infrastructure improvements, introduced by Senate Transportation Committee chair Ram Villivalam, was signed by the governor on Wednesday.

“Streamlining the implementation of infrastructure projects will save taxpayer dollars and rebuild our roads, bridges and mass transit systems in a transparent and equitable manner,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Finding alternative ways to deliver on rebuilding Illinois remains a top priority for me as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.”

Senate Bill 2981 creates the Innovations for Transportation Infrastructure Act, which authorizes the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Tollway Authority to use the design-build delivery method on highway construction projects. Currently, IDOT uses the design-bid-build project delivery method where the department designs a plan in-house, then reviews bids from contractors. Design-build would expedite that process by allowing a single entity to both design and start construction on the project. Projects that use this method would be capped at a combined total of $400 million.

CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam applauded the appointment of three new members to the Asian American Family Commission on Tuesday.

“I want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all of the new members of this commission,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “The work they will do to advocate for the diverse needs of our Asian American communities will help build on Illinois’ commitment to being the most welcoming state in the nation, with opportunity for all who call it home.”

Shobhana Verma is the Executive Director of the South Asian American Policy and Research Institute, located in Chicago. Under her leadership, SAAPRI has worked to reduce systemic barriers to and engage Asian American communities in the electoral process.

­CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam was appointed to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Infrastructure Funding and Policy Tuesday.

“I am proud to sit on this commission and am eager to begin working with industry experts, colleagues in the General Assembly and the governor’s office on finding innovative ways to continue to improve our infrastructure in a safe, accessible and affordable way.” said Villivalam (D-Chicago).

­CHICAGO – With carjackings and shootings on the rise on Illinois’ expressways, State Senator Ram Villivalam supported two new laws to help law enforcement crack down on these crimes.

“Commuters deserve to know they are safe when they use any of Illinois’ 15,969 miles of highways,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “Allowing law enforcement to coordinate and address these crimes is the first step to protecting drivers.”

­CHICAGO – To make essential health services accessible to immigrant and refugee communities, State Senator Ram Villivalam supported a measure to expand Medicaid-like benefits to non-citizens down to age 42 that was signed into law on Friday.

“As we were reminded over the course of the pandemic, our collective public health requires that all our neighbors be covered, regardless of immigrant status,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Expanding health care coverage to as many people as possible will keep all our communities safe and healthy as we continue to recover.”