­CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam announced that, thanks to funds distributed by the Illinois State Board of Education, four local school districts received grants for infrastructure improvements.

“Our students deserve the best possible learning environment,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “These grants will help to build safer, healthier classrooms at schools throughout our community.”

A total of $30 million in 2022 School Maintenance Grants was distributed to districts across the state. To be eligible for the grants, applicants were required to match the state funds and commit to completing proposed projects within two years.

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CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam is proud to announce that local parks in and around the 8th Senate District have received $1.2 million grant from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program.

“Parks and green spaces make our communities a great place to call home and keep our youth engaged in safe, constructive activities,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “This investment will ensure that we are keeping our recreation areas modernized and ready to enjoy for generations to come.”

OSLAD is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and helps communities acquire open space and develop and improve recreational facilities. OSLAD grants cover up to half of a project’s costs and must be matched by grant recipients. A total of $30.3 million was disbursed to 87 parks across Illinois this year.

Local parks in and around the 8th Senate District received $1.2 million in OSLAD grants and include the following:

• Village of Lincolnwood, Flowers Park – $400,000
• Niles Park District, Pioneer Park – $400,000
• Skokie Park District, Central Park – $400,000

­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.”

House Bill 4813 removes a requirement that school districts must contract with the lowest bidder on food service contracts. Schools may now instead give preference to contractors that use local or regional suppliers, contractors that value animal welfare, minority- or women-owned contractors, and contractors owned by an individual with a disability.

House Bill 4813 was signed by the governor on Wednesday and is effective immediately.

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.

“Abortions are not going to stop because of this ruling – women in other states will be forced to go to unimaginable, unsafe means to access this type of care. I pledge to continue to fight and expand access for those who that want access to a safe and legal abortion and ensure we keep it that way in Illinois.”