Ram Villivalam Explained

Ram Villivalam
State Senate:Illinois
District:8th
Term Start:January 5, 2019
Predecessor:Ira Silverstein
Party:Democratic
Spouse:Elizabeth
Education:George Washington University (BA)

Ram Villivalam is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate for the 8th district. The 8th Senate District consists of the Forest Glen, North Park and West Ridge neighborhoods in the City of Chicago and the nearby suburbs of Park Ridge, Morton Grove, Niles, Lincolnwood and Skokie,[1] as of the decennial redistricting following the 2010 United States Census.[2]

After Ira Silverstein was accused of sexual misconduct by a lobbyist, Villivalam announced that he would run against Silverstein in the Democratic primary. Villivalam was endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Brad Schneider, State Senator Laura Murphy, and Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar.[3] [4] [5] [6]

In the March 20, 2018 Democratic primary, Villivalam defeated the incumbent Ira Silverstein by more than 20 points in the first competitive primary the latter had faced since taking the seat.[7] [8] Silverstein resigned a few days before the start of the 101st General Assembly, allowing Villivalam to be sworn on January 5, 2019.[9]

Villivalam is the first Asian American and first Indian American elected to the Illinois Senate.[10]

Prior to joining the Illinois Senate, Villivalam was the former political director for Brad Schneider and former legislative coordinator for SEIU Healthcare-Illinois.[11] He co-founded the Progressive Turnout Project PAC in 2015.[12]

In September 2019, Villivalam succeeded Robert Murphy as the Democratic Party committeeperson for Chicago's 39th ward.[13]

As of July 2022, Senator Villivalam is a member of the following Illinois Senate committees:[14]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PA 97-0006 Legislative District 8. May 18, 2011. November 8, 2018.
  2. Web site: PA 97-0006 Legislative District 8. 2011-05-18. 2015-09-07.
  3. News: Zorn. Eric. It's time for the secrecy to end in Springfield's highest-profile sex-harassment case. December 1, 2017. Chicago Tribune. December 18, 2017.
  4. News: Miller. Rich. Silverstein, four primary opponents, accuser all file to run for GA. December 5, 2017. Capitol Fax. December 18, 2017.
  5. News: Miller. Rich. Recent endorsements: Raoul, Biss, Newman, Villivalam. December 15, 2017. Capitol Fax. December 18, 2017.
  6. News: Miller. Rich. Sen. Murphy endorses Silverstein challenger. November 21, 2017. Capitol Fax. December 18, 2017.
  7. News: Ram Villivalam Romps Incumbent State Sen. Ira Silverstein. 2018-03-20. Skokie, IL Patch. 2018-03-21. en-US.
  8. News: After sex harassment allegation, Silverstein's grip on state Senate seat slips away; Burke trails in bid to retain post in Illinois House. Lourgos. Monique Garcia, Bill Lukitsch, Angie Leventis. chicagotribune.com. 2018-03-21. en-US.
  9. News: Kapos. Shia. Hurst. Adrienne. Democrat Ram Villivalam was sworn in Saturday as state senator. Politico Playbook. January 7, 2019. January 7, 2019.
  10. News: Geiger. Kim. Silverstein in tough primary fight following sexual harassment allegations. March 17, 2018. Chicago Tribune. January 7, 2019.
  11. News: Murphy Endorses Villivalam For Senate, Calls For Silverstein to Step Down. NBC 5 Chicago. Ahern. Mary Ann. November 20, 2017. November 27, 2017.
  12. Web site: Our Team . usurped . https://web.archive.org/web/20150826000842/http://www.turnoutpac.org/our-team . 2015-08-26 . 2023-08-15 . Progressive Turnout Project.
  13. News: Stewart. Russ. Bailouts multiply among Democratic committeemen. September 15, 2019. Nadig Newspapers. September 27, 2019.
  14. Web site: Illinois General Assembly - Senator Committees . 2022-07-04 . ilga.gov.

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