Cites Need for Progressive Voices in Springfield
Chicago (Mayfair) - Today, Democratic Candidate for State Senate Ram Villivalam (IL-8) made the following statement regarding Governor Rauner’s State of the State Address:
“Gov. Bruce Rauner has failed the residents of the 8th State Senate District on the challenging issues we face, which include the need to reduce gun violence in our communities, lower taxes on middle class families, increasing the minimum wage, and working to ensure our schools are more equitably funded.
Rauner’s remarks today was more lip service from a governor who is more interested in busting unions and cutting vital services for women, children, seniors, and people with disabilities than taking the bold, progressive steps we need to move our state forward.
I am running to be the effective, outspoken, and progressive voice in Springfield that the people of the 8th District deserve. I will use my experience as an SEIU organizer and the work I’ve done in federal government to help build the coalition we need to pass legislation that would create a progressive income tax, require gun dealers to be licensed, raise the minimum wage to a living wage, and ensure that all students receive a quality education regardless of the zip code they reside in.
Finally, I stand in solidarity with the women and men who wore black today to call attention to the toxic culture of Springfield. It’s far past time for true legislative ethics reform. We need to have a Legislative Ethics Act with real consequences. If and when a legislator violates the Legislative Ethics Act, there need to be specific statutory punishments up to and including expulsion from the Legislature. Women need to be believed. And men need to be held accountable.”
Villivalam has been endorsed by U.S Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider, U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley, U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis, U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Fmr. Gubernatorial Candidate & Alderman Ameya Pawar, State Senator Laura Murphy, State Senator Omar Aquino, State Representative Theresa Mah, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Commissioner Josina Morita, the Illinois AFL-CIO, the Sierra Club, the UAW Illinois, Illinois State Association of Letter Carriers, Local UFCW 881, SEIU Illinois State Council, National Nurses United, Our Revolution Illinois, Reclaim Chicago, Equality Illinois PAC, Northside Democracy for America, Citizen Action Illinois, 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).