Ram Villivalam is a Democratic state senator representing the 8th District in the Illinois State Senate. Born and raised on the northwest side of Chicago to Indian immigrant parents who arrived in the 1970s, he embodies middle-class values shaped by their journey from minimum-wage jobs to over 25 years of public service each. He lives in Chicago's North Mayfair neighborhood with his wife, Elizabeth, and sons, Rohan and Lokesh. Notable achievements include being the first Asian American elected to the Illinois State Senate and the first Indian American elected to the Illinois General Assembly. He chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, co-chairs the Illinois Legislative Asian American Caucus, and serves on committees including Energy and Public Utilities, Health Care Access and Availability, Human Rights, Licensed Activities, and Pensions. His priorities focus on income equality, reducing gun violence, equitable education, immigrant and LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, tax fairness, healthcare, and gun regulation. He previously served as president of the Indo-American Democratic Organization and a director on the board of Gun Violence Prevention PAC.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Political Science from George Washington University.
• Political Experience: Before entering the Illinois General Assembly in 2019, Villivalam worked as Legislative Coordinator for SEIU Healthcare, advocating for home care for seniors and people with disabilities, child care for working families, and Medicaid access. He also served as Outreach Director for U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider, handling policy outreach including Affordable Care Act enrollments and job fairs.