CHICAGO ─  In the wake of Wednesday’s US Supreme Court ruling eroding historic minority protections under the Voting Rights Act, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) said he and other Illinois leaders would continue working to enshrine those rights at the state level and ensure every voice is heard.

“This ruling is a mistake that rolls back decades of hard-fought progress. In some states, it will silence communities and open the door to discrimination in elections.

SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam spearheaded a measure through the Senate that would establish regulations for the use of toy vehicles, motor-driven bicycles and other small, low-speed electric mobility devices in Illinois.

“E-bikes and other increasingly popular micromobility devices are being utilized by our neighbors. While these devices provide more accessibility for our residents, they have also led to tragic accidents,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “It is imperative that we implement safeguards to ensure that everyone who uses a micromobility device is able to do so in a safe way.”

SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam advanced a measure through the Senate that would ensure townships are able to provide additional food assistance to residents.

“Residents across our communities have been faced with having to wonder where there next meal was going to come from as a result of cuts to SNAP benefits by the Trump Administration,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “As a result, our neighbors went hungry and local food pantries were left with little resources to fill in the gap.”

CHICAGO ─ To ensure residents across the 8^th District have accessible transportation options, State Senator Ram Villivalam helped secure the future of the Niles Free Bus Program.

“I am grateful for the steadfast effort between the Village of Niles and Pace to secure a contract ensuring that our community members have safe, reliable, accessible, and integrated transportation options that get them to their school, job, doctor's appointment, and much more” said Villivalam (D-Chicago).

The Village of Niles operates the Niles Free Bus Program – a courtesy bus system operation within Village limits at no charge to residents in conjunction with Pace. The busses run continuously from 9:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. Monday through Sunday and stop at all major shopping centers, public facilities and within a short stop of every residence.