Today, Democratic Candidate for State Senate Ram Villivalam (IL-8) announced the endorsements of the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Chicago Teachers Union.
“The Illinois Federation of Teachers is very proud to support Ram Villivalam for State Senate in the 8th District,” said Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery, who taught high school English for 18 years in Skokie. “When others tried to solve our budget challenges on the backs of middle-class families, Ram fought for working people. He helped lead efforts to increase the minimum wage, institute progressive revenue solutions, and protect workers' rights. I know we can count on him to be a tireless advocate for our diverse communities.”
“On behalf of the Chicago Teachers Union and our more than 30,000 members and their families, I am proud to announce our endorsement of Ram Villivalam for State Senate in the 8th District,” said Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Jesse Sharkey, “Ram has been and will continue to be a champion for students, parents, and educators in the city of Chicago. He will fight for equitable education funding to ensure all of our students obtain the quality education they deserve, to hold charter schools to the same level of transparency and accountability, and for an elected representative school board.”
“I am honored to have earned the endorsements of the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Chicago Teachers Union,” said Democratic Candidate for State Senate Ram Villivalam. “I want to head down to Springfield to fight for the students, parents, and teachers of Illinois. Every student deserves a quality education, no matter their zip code, and every teacher deserves resources and respect from the State. I am eager to get to Springfield to advocate on their behalf.”
Villivalam has also been endorsed by U.S Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider, U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley, U.S. Congressman Luis Gutierrez, 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 Representative Theresa Mah, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Commissioner Josina Morita, the Illinois AFL-CIO, the UAW Illinois, Illinois State Association of Letter Carriers, Local UFCW 881, SEIU Illinois State Council, National Nurses United, the National Association of Social Workers, Planned Parenthood, the Sierra Club, Citizen/Action Illinois, Our Revolution, Reclaim Chicago, Equality Illinois PAC, Northside Democracy for America, 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 for more than 90,000 Home Care Providers, Child Care Providers, Nursing Home Workers, Hospital Workers, and the people for whom they care. 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. Ram and his wife, Elizabeth, live in the Mayfair neighborhood on the Northwest side of Chicago. (www.ramforsenate.com).