CHICAGO – A recent shakeup of administrative powers at the Illinois Tollway Authority will be the subject of an Illinois Senate Transportation Committee hearing Tuesday.

“With purpose of ensuring the responsible stewardship of tax dollars that are collected and administered at the Illinois Tollway, we are committed to shedding transparency on the organizational changes that were recently made,” said Senator Ram Villivalam, a Chicago Democrat who chairs the committee.

In October, the Tollway board voted to give the board chairman additional, direct oversight of some agency departments that had previously fallen under the tollway’s executive director. Board members have said the move was in the best interest of the Tollway.

The hearing is an opportunity to explore the change in greater detail.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) passed a resolution in the Illinois Senate that declares Nov. 4, 2021 as Diwali Day in Illinois.

“I am honored to celebrate Diwali as an official holiday this year,” Villivalam said. “Our communities that observe Diwali are grateful to live in a welcoming state that values the religious and cultural diversity of its residents.”

Diwali is a five-day festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs worldwide. It celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, symbolically represented by a festival of lights. Celebrants of Diwali traditionally light small oil lamps throughout their homes, craft flower garlands, share sweets and launch paper lanterns after dark.

Senate Resolution 593 passed without opposition in the Illinois Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate declaring October 2021 as Hindu Heritage Month in Illinois.

“Hindus have furthered our state’s cultural diversity and economic prosperity,” Villivalam said. “As the senator of one of the most diverse districts in the state and the first Hindu to serve in the Illinois state legislature, I am proud to be a chief co-sponsor of legislation to honor the contributions of Hindu communities across Illinois."

Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world with 6 million followers in the United States, and over 250,000 in Illinois. Hinduism is an inclusive religion, as it does not have a singular founder, text or set of beliefs. Rather, it consists of a variety of practices, cultural values and norms that differ amongst its followers.

Senate Resolution 545 passed without opposition in the Illinois Senate.

­MORTON GROVE – State Senators Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Laura Fine (D-Glenview) joined administrators, staff and other officials on Monday for a groundbreaking ceremony at the Julia S. Molloy Education Center in Morton Grove.

“This expansion will provide students throughout our community with a quality learning environment tailored to their needs,” Villivalam said. “I am proud to stand with our youth, parents and educators that serve our community today.”

"The Molloy School is life changing for the most vulnerable students in our district," Senator Fine said. "This expansion will allow the school to continue its incredible work of educating our children.”