State Senator Ram Villivalam

09/30/2026

With heavy rain underway across the Chicago area, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) is asking residents to reduce water use during and after the storm to help prevent flooding and protect our water quality.

See below for simple actions you can take to easily reduce your overall water use. These small steps can help create additional capacity in our water management systems while MWRD works to manage billions of gallons of water and mitigate flooding.

You can also find other resources and information concerning overflow, flooding and water safety in the post below.

Overflow Action Alert

Heavy rain is expected in the Chicago area today. Reduce your use of water during and after the storm to help prevent flooding and protect water quality:

• Delay showers and baths
• Flush less frequently
• Wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine

Flooding and sewer backups can happen for a variety of reasons. To help prevent flooding inside or around your home, there are actions you and your family can take before and during rainfall.

Learn how to prepare for stormwater at this link: https://mwrd.org/community-action/you-can-help-prevent-flooding-and-protect-water-quality.

Learn more about Combined Sewer Overflow prevention here: https://mwrd.org/community-action/overflow-action

Sign up to receive Overflow Action Alerts via text
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/YhH2xGP/MWRDSignup

Learn what you should do during flooding:
https://mwrd.org/community-action/what-you-should-do-during-flooding

For more information and explanations about how the MWRD’s infrastructure and waterway system operate, visit these links:

Learn about the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP)
https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/tunnel-and-reservoir-plan-tarp

Understand how the Chicago Area Waterway System works
https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/reducing-flooding/chicago-area-waterway-system-caws

Learn about the types of sewer systems in Cook County
https://mwrd.org/community-action/understanding-your-sewer

Request a presentation for your community
https://mwrd.org/education/speakers-and-outreach

Tour our facilities
https://mwrd.org/education/tours

Municipal partners can explore stormwater partnership opportunities
https://mwrd.org/stormwater/partnerships

The top of the MWRD’s website displays a notification if an Overflow Action Alert is active. Visit mwrd.org.

Overflow Action Alerts are a joint initiative of the MWRD and Friends of the Chicago River.

09/28/2026

Last night, I was honored to attend the Indo-American Center’s 36th Annual Gala and be recognized for my support of IAC over the years.

For more than 35 years, IAC has created and provided services that facilitate immigrant adjustment, socio-economic wellbeing and community through direct service, education and advocacy.

It’s been a privilege to work closely with IAC over the years, especially on their senior programs, which help immigrant seniors fully adjust to their new community within the United States and lead more independent lives, and their Parent Mentor Program, which recruits parents to become parent mentors within their child’s school community.

I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition and proud of the tangible impact the Indo-American Center has made in our community.

Thank you to IAC for your continued dedication to empowering individuals and strengthening our communities. I look forward to continuing our work together!

09/26/2026

This morning, I joined community members and leaders from Asian Americans Advancing Justice for their membership assembly!

Alongside Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth - The 48th Ward and Alderman Matt Martin - 47th Ward, I had the chance to provide important updates on legislation I had the chance to work on, including, food insecurity relief in response to the drastic federal SNAP cuts. I also reiterated my commitment to work in collaboration with them to continue to stand up for working families.

Thank you to the packed house of community members that showed up on a Saturday morning!

09/25/2026

It was great to catch up with constituents at the Morton Grove and Niles Chambers of Commerce Legislative Breakfast!

Alongside my colleagues and community leaders, I had the chance to share updates on new laws I sponsored and funding I secured that bolsters the future of small businesses in our community, assists our local governments, and more while learning more about the current issues that our community members are facing.

Thank you to the organizers for inviting me and everyone who came out!

09/24/2026

Our Job Fair is underway! Watch this video to learn more about the exciting event and come by Northtown Library before 1 p.m. to connect with employers, explore job opportunities and and access other important resources!

09/23/2026

Today, I was proud to join residents, staff and community leaders for the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the modernization and reopening of North Park Village Apartments.

This milestone marks an exciting new chapter for the campus while honoring the decades of history, community and service that have made North Park Village home to so many.

Congratulations to North Park Village on its 44th anniversary and to everyone who helped make this celebration possible.

09/22/2026

Looking for a job? Or are you a local employer looking to find your next great employee? Join us for the annual 50th Ward Job Fair!

📅 Thursday, September 24
⏰ 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
📍 Northtown Library, 6800 N. Western Ave.

We’re bringing local employers and job seekers together for an opportunity to make valuable connections, explore career opportunities, and help strengthen our local workforce.

Local employers: Register to participate at 50thward.org/employers

Job seekers: Register to attend at 50thward.org/jobseekers

I look forward to welcoming job seekers and employers from across the 50th Ward!

09/21/2026

Today, we observe Wadee Day in solidarity with the UN’s International Day of Peace.

Wadee AlFayoumi, a 6-year-old Palestinian American Muslim boy, was tragically murdered in an act of violence charged as a hate crime.

Last year, I had the honor of serving as the chief sponsor of Senate Resolution 265, which designated September 21, 2025 as Wadee Day in Illinois. I’m proud to honor Wadee’s life and reaffirm our commitment to rejecting hate, Islamophobia, and dehumanization in all their forms.

In Wadee’s name, let us stand for a world where every child can live with safety, dignity and peace.

09/20/2026

Wishing everyone a meaningful Yom Kippur. May this day of reflection, atonement and renewal bring peace and healing to all and may you be inscribed in the Book of Life.

09/19/2026

Su***de Prevention Month is a time to break the stigma around mental health and work together to build a community that supports mental health care. If you notice someone struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to 988 for help – it could save their life. 988lifeline.org (https://988lifeline.org/)