Chicago City Wire

Ram Villivalam introduced SB1542 in the Illinois Senate on Feb. 4, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Department of Innovation and Technology Act. Repeals the definition of "client agency" and makes changes in the definitions of "dedicated unit", "State agency", and "transferring agency". Replaces references to "transferring agency" with references to "transferred agency". Makes changes in provisions concerning the powers and duties of the Department of Innovation and Technology, including changes in the scope of services provided by the Department and in the classes of persons to whom those services are to be provided. Authorizes the Department to charge fees for service to all State agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor (rather than only client agencies). Repeals from the Department of Innovation and Technology Act and adds to the Illinois Information Security Improvement Act a provision requiring the principal executive officer of specified units of local government to designate a local official or employee as the primary point of contact for local cybersecurity issues. Requires the name and contact information for the specified individual to be provided to the Statewide Chief Information Security Officer. Further amends the Illinois Information Security Improvement Act. Makes changes concerning the duties of the Office of the Statewide Chief Information Security Officer and the Secretary of Innovation and Technology. Changes the definition of "State agency"."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the Department of Innovation and Technology Act in Illinois, making various changes to definitions, such as replacing "transferring agency" with "transferred agency" and modifying "State agency" definitions. It also updates the duties of the Department of Innovation and Technology, expanding the scope of services and allowing it to charge all State agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction for these services. Furthermore, the bill repeals a section of this Act and incorporates a provision into the Illinois Information Security Improvement Act, requiring local governments to designate a cybersecurity contact. The bill amends the information security duties of the Statewide Chief Information Security Officer and the Secretary of Innovation and Technology to enhance statewide cybersecurity measures, including establishing a cybersecurity liaison program for local governments. The effective date of the bill's changes is not specified.

Ram Villivalam has proposed another 15 bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Villivalam graduated from George Washington University in 2009 with a BS.

Ram Villivalam is currently serving in the Illinois State Senate, representing the state's 8th Senate District. He replaced previous state senator Ira Silverstein in 2019.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
SB1542	02/04/2025	Amends the Department of Innovation and Technology Act. Repeals the definition of "client agency" and makes changes in the definitions of "dedicated unit", "State agency", and "transferring agency". Replaces references to "transferring agency" with references to "transferred agency". Makes changes in provisions concerning the powers and duties of the Department of Innovation and Technology, including changes in the scope of services provided by the Department and in the classes of persons to whom those services are to be provided. Authorizes the Department to charge fees for service to all State agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor (rather than only client agencies). Repeals from the Department of Innovation and Technology Act and adds to the Illinois Information Security Improvement Act a provision requiring the principal executive officer of specified units of local government to designate a local official or employee as the primary point of contact for local cybersecurity issues. Requires the name and contact information for the specified individual to be provided to the Statewide Chief Information Security Officer. Further amends the Illinois Information Security Improvement Act. Makes changes concerning the duties of the Office of the Statewide Chief Information Security Officer and the Secretary of Innovation and Technology. Changes the definition of "State agency".
SB1530	02/04/2025	Amends the Election Code. For specified applications, change of address forms, or recertifications of a driver's license or State identification card, provides that the application, form, or recertification shall serve as a dual-purpose application when the applicant presents specified identification (rather than meets the requirements of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005). Modifies requirements of the dual-purpose application. Modifies the content of the written notice required to be given by the Office of the Secretary of State to each applicant and requires the Office of the Secretary of State to determine whether each applicant is currently registered to vote in Illinois and the applicant's registration address. Provides that, if an applicant provides the Secretary of State with an identification document which demonstrates that the applicant is not a United States citizen, the application shall not serve as a dual-purpose application. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to make conforming changes. Provides that changes made by the amendatory Act that require implementation shall be implemented no later than January 1, 2027. Effective immediately.
SB1539	02/04/2025	Amends the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Requires the Suburban Bus Board to adopt responsible bidding rules applicable to bids for contracts solicited for drivers, dispatchers, customer service aides, and reservationists. Requires a bidder to submit specified information before a bidder may be considered a responsible bidder. Provides that it is the sole responsibility of the bidder to comply with all submission requirements at the time it submits its bid to the Suburban Bus Board. Provides that upon designation by the Suburban Bus Board that a contractor's or subcontractor's submission in anticipation of a bid is complete and timely, and upon any further consideration deemed necessary by the Suburban Bus Board, the contractor or subcontractor may be prequalified for future contracts with the Suburban Bus Board. Provides that a contractor's classification as qualified shall exempt the contractor or sub-contractor from the submission requirements for a period of 12 months. Provides that contractors and subcontractors who are prequalified must submit a complete application for continuation of prequalified standing on a form provided by the Suburban Bus Board by December 31st for the upcoming calendar year. Provides that failure by any prequalified contractor or subcontractor to timely submit its complete application for continuation of prequalified standing shall result in automatic removal of the designation. Allows a contractor or subcontractor removed from prequalified status to still bid on Suburban Bus Board contracts.
SB1540	02/04/2025	Amends the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. In provisions regarding the acceptance and distribution of electronic records and electronic signatures by governmental agencies, provides that, to the extent that a governmental agency uses electronic records and electronic signatures, the governmental agency (rather than the Department of Innovation and Technology and the Secretary of State) may specify (rather than shall adopt rules specifying) the required format and attributes of the electronic records and electronic signatures and the specific processes and procedures governing their use. Authorizes the Secretary of State and the Department of Innovation and Technology to adopt rules setting forth minimum requirements concerning the required format and attributes of electronic records and electronic signatures and the processes and procedures governing their use. Provides that the rules adopted by the Secretary of State shall apply only with respect to the Secretary of State. Further provides that the rules adopted by the Department of Innovation and Technology shall apply only with respect to client agencies, as that term is defined in the Department of Innovation and Technology Act.
SB1541	02/04/2025	Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that any printed or digital receipt issued or made available to a consumer by a retail seller at the time of sale must clearly list the single unit price of each individual item purchased by the consumer regardless of the number or quantity of each individual item purchased by the consumer at the time of sale. Provides that a retail seller who violates this requirement commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.
SB1543	02/04/2025	Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for the full amount of union dues paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year if the taxpayer was not allowed a federal deduction under the Internal Revenue Code. Provides that, if any amount of union dues representing federal miscellaneous itemized deductions was allowed as a federal deduction, then the amount allowed as an Illinois deduction shall be a specified percentage of the union dues disallowed under the Internal Revenue Code. Provides that the deduction is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.
SB1614	02/04/2025	Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that the Secretary of State may maintain a petty cash fund in excess of $1,000, solely for the purpose of making change, at any Secretary of State Motor Vehicle Facility. Provides that those funds may be retained on the premises of the facility.
SB1615	02/04/2025	Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Requires a school board to offer courses in Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, Telugu, and Malayalam as a part of its school foreign language curricula.
SB1616	02/04/2025	Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to identify days during the year when there may be a portion of the student body absent or unable to participate in a major school event due to cultural, religious, or other observances and, by February 1 of each year, to prominently post on its website and distribute to school districts a nonexhaustive list of the corresponding days and dates of potential cultural, religious, or other observances in the upcoming school year. Allows a school district to include additional days and dates based on community feedback or demographics. Requires the State Board to distribute the list by February 1 each year to regional offices of education, the Department of Early Childhood, the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois High School Association, and other relevant associations or entities as determined by the State Board. Effective immediately.
SB1467	01/31/2025	Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that "expanded-use antique vehicle" does not include a commercial vehicle or a farm truck. Provides that any entity or vendor providing services to or on behalf of the Secretary of State may also prescribe or provide suitable forms for applications, certificates of title, registration cards, driver's licenses, and such other forms requisite or deemed necessary to carry out the Act to the extent authorized by the Secretary and upon approval of the Secretary. Provides that, except for specified persons, an individual's photograph or image, signature, social security number, personal email address, and medical or disability information as may be submitted to the Secretary for purposes of a vehicle title and registration application shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed. Provides that the printed proof of registration is valid for 30 days from the expiration of the previous registration sticker's or digital registration sticker's date or 30 days from the purchase date of the new registration sticker or digital registration sticker, whichever occurs later. Provides that the owner of an antique vehicle may register such vehicle for a fee not to exceed $6 per registration year (rather than $13 for a 2-year antique plate). Provides that if the Secretary determines that an owner has registered or maintained the registration of a motor vehicle without a liability insurance policy, the Secretary shall notify the owner that such owner's vehicle registration shall be suspended 30 (rather than 45) days after the date of the mailing of the notice unless the owner within 30 days furnishes proof of insurance in effect on the verification date or provides an exemption from the mandatory insurance requirements. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
SB1317	01/28/2025	Amends the Issuing Licenses and Abating Nuisances Division of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that nothing in the Division shall prohibit the issuance or renewal of a license authorizing the sale of tobacco products or tobacco accessories at a premises that is located within a municipality with a population in excess of 1,000,000 inhabitants and is within 100 feet of the property line of any building or other location used primarily as a school if: (1) the school is a private elementary school; (2) the school is located within the boundaries of West Devon Avenue, West Rosemont Avenue, North Mozart Street, and North Fairfield Avenue; and (3) the sale of tobacco products or tobacco accessories at the premises occurs only after school hours until no later than 2 a.m. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective immediately.
SB1318	01/28/2025	Appropriates $5,000,000 to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security for grants made to small business for security improvements that assist the small business in preventing, preparing for, or responding to threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism. Effective July 1, 2025.
SB1319	01/28/2025	Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Provides that, of the proceeds that are deposited into the Road Fund, $27,000,000 shall be transferred each month to the Department of Transportation to be distributed to municipalities of the State, counties of the State, and road districts of the State according to a specified formula.
SB1320	01/28/2025	Amends the Airport Authorities Act. Provides that, in airport authorities having a population of not more than 500,000, the compensation for services of any commissioner shall not exceed $300 (rather than $150) in any one month for services within the corporate limits of the authority or within a distance of 50 miles from the corporate limits of the authority. Provides that, in airport authorities having a population of more than 500,000, the compensation for services of any commissioner shall not exceed the sum of $25,000 (rather than $10,000) per annum.
SB1321	01/28/2025	Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Provides that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security may make grants to small businesses for eligible security improvements that assist the small business in preventing, preparing for, or responding to threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism. Sets forth requirements concerning eligibility, application, and Agency procedures. Defines "small business". Effective immediately.
SB1324	01/28/2025	Amends the Election Code. Provides that, upon receiving an election authority's request, if a school district demonstrates to the election authority that the use of a school as a polling place would interfere with scheduled programming or pose a threat to the safety of staff or students, the election authority and the school district shall work cooperatively to find an alternative location to serve as a polling place. Provides that, if the school district and the election authority are unable to identify a mutually agreeable alternative location, the school district and the election authority shall submit a report to the Board of County Commissioners that includes specified information. Provides that, after receiving the report, the Board of County Commissioners shall determine a location to be used as a polling place as soon as practicable to avoid further delay in determining a polling place.
SB0091	01/17/2025	Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires every applicant for the renewal of a driver's license who is 79 years or older to renew in person. Requires every applicant for the renewal of a driver's license who is 87 years of age or or who is 75 years of age or older and holds a commercial driver's license to prove, by an actual demonstration, the applicant's ability to exercise reasonable care in the safe operation of a motor vehicle. Allows an immediate family member to submit information to the Secretary of State relative to the medical condition of a person if the condition interferes with the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. Requires information to be submitted in writing in a manner and form approved by the Secretary and shall include the name of the person submitting the information. Prohibits the Secretary from accepting or acting on anonymous reports. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2026.
SB0141	01/17/2025	Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that a grant made by the Department of Transportation to municipalities and airport authorities for the renovation, construction, and development of airport facilities must include a condition that the renovation, construction, and development of airport facilities is covered by a project labor agreement entered into with the local building and construction trades council having geographic jurisdiction over the airport facilities. Amends the Airport Authorities Act. Provides that any contract entered into by an Airport Authority to construct, develop, expand, extend, or improve any airport or airport facility must include a project labor agreement entered into with the local building and construction trades council having geographic jurisdiction over the airport or airport facility. Defines "project labor agreement". Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.
SB0005	01/13/2025	Creates the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act. Establishes the Metropolitan Mobility Authority. Provides that the Chicago Transit Authority, the Commuter Rail Division and the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority, and the Regional Transportation Authority are consolidated into the Metropolitan Mobility Authority and the Service Boards are abolished. Creates the Suburban Bus Operating Division, Commuter Rail Operating Division, and the Chicago Transit Operating Division. Reinserts, reorganizes, and changes some provisions from the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act and the Regional Transportation Authority Act into the new Act. Includes provisions concerning the operation of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority. Repeals the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act and the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Amends various Acts, Laws, and Codes to make conforming changes. Creates the Equitable Transit-Supportive Development Act. Establishes the Office of Equitable Transit-Oriented Development and the Transit-Supportive Development Fund. Provides that the Office and the Fund are to aid transit-supportive development near high-quality transit by providing specified funding to municipalities that have adopted the standards in the transit support overlay district for that area or that have adopted zoning and other changes that the Office determines have benefits greater than or equal to such a District, including transit support overlay districts. Includes provisions relating to Office standards, procedures, and reports. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code. Requires the Department to establish, staff, and support an Office of Public Transportation Support for the purpose of optimizing the operation of public transportation vehicles and the delivery of public transportation services on highways under the Department's jurisdiction in the Metropolitan Mobility Authority's metropolitan region. Describes the duties and operations of the Office. Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that the Chair of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority is a nonvoting member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.