SEIU Illinois State Council President Tom Balanoff cites Villivalam’s strong track record
Chicago (Mayfair) - Today, Democratic Candidate for State Senate Ram Villivalam (IL-8) announced the endorsement of the SEIU Illinois State Council.
"On behalf of the 150,000 members with the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) Illinois Council, I am proud to announce our endorsement of Ram Villivalam for State Senate in the 8th District,” said SEIU Illinois State Council President Tom Balanoff. “Ram has been a passionate, energetic champion for working people who has helped vigorously fend off the attacks of Governor Bruce Rauner's dangerous policies. We know our members, who work in child care, property services, the public sector and health care related industries will be able to count on him to continue that work at a higher level as a legislator in the Illinois State Senate."
“Ram worked tirelessly on the front lines to stop Governor Bruce Rauner from eliminating home care for 34,000 seniors and people with disabilities and child care assistance for 90% of the eligible working parents or parents enrolled in school or in job training programs,” said said SEIU Healthcare President Greg Kelley. “Additionally, Ram helped lead the charge to pass legislation to increase the minimum wage for workers in the state of Illinois. We know Ram will stay true to his working class roots and be an outspoken voice for working and middle-class families. Our union — comprised mostly of women, particularly women of color — is committed to doing everything we can to getting him elected."
“I am honored to have the endorsement of an organization that has successfully fought Bruce Rauner's actions to eliminate home care for the elderly, cut child care assistance for working families, and to decrease the wages of and dismantle the workplace protections of working people,” said Ram Villivalam.
On November 27th, Ram filed 2,700 petition signatures, more than 2.5 times the amount needed and which were collected by more than 50 grassroots volunteers, to become an official candidate for State Senate in the 8th District of Illinois. Ram raised approximately $90,000 in the first month of his campaign. Ram has also announced the endorsements of U.S Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider, U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Fmr. Gubernatorial Candidate & Alderman Ameya Pawar, State Senator Laura Murphy, State Representative Theresa Mah, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Commissioner Josina Morita, the Illinois State Association of Letter Carriers, UFCW Local 881, and the Indo-American Democratic Organization.
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About Ram:
Ram Villivalam most recently worked as Legislative Coordinator for SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana, advocating on behalf of more than 90,000 Home Care Providers, Child Care Providers, Nursing Home Workers, Hospital Workers, and the people they provide care for. Previously, Ram served as the Outreach Director for U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider, working with manufacturing organizations, unions, immigration groups, and community colleges on more than 20 policy areas. Ram serves on the Board of the Gun Violence Prevention PAC and as President of the Indo-American Democratic Organization. A child of immigrants, Ram was born and raised on the Northwest side and attended Chicago Public Schools throughout his childhood. Ram and his wife, Elizabeth, live in the Mayfair neighborhood on the Northwest side of Chicago. (www.ramforsenate.com).