SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago), Senate Chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, released the following statement after Sean Grayson was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of Sonya Massey:

“Sonya Massey should still be here today. Nothing about this sentence can restore what was taken from her family, her loved ones and her community. While Sean Grayson was sentenced to the fullest extent allowed under the law, this outcome does not offer true closure for a life unjustly taken.

“As we hold the Massey family close in our thoughts, we must also be clear that accountability alone is not enough. There is still important work to be done to confront the systemic failures that allowed this tragedy to occur and to ensure real trust, transparency and reform within our systems of public safety. The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus remains committed to that work.”

CHICAGO – Thanks to State Senator Preston’s advocacy, Oak Lawn Park District will receive $600,000 from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant to help continue ongoing improvements.

“Community parks are a key pillar to the health of a city and a child’s enrichment,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “This investment will build on our efforts to provide safe, holistic and modern public spaces for the people of the Sweet Sixteenth District. The 16th District is rich with parks and green space and I will continue investing in these beautiful places so families can enjoy them for generations to come.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Willie Preston held a press conference Tuesday to outline his Property Justice and Community Recovery Act – long-term structural reform to stop wealth extraction from disinvested communities, which will in turn stabilize neighborhoods.

“For too long, our tax sale system has enabled predatory investors to exploit struggling homeowners and extract wealth from our most vulnerable communities,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “This legislation would flip that broken system on its head. We're working to end risk-free speculation, forgiving crushing tax debt when it's unjust, and putting properties back into the hands of residents, nonprofits and local developers who will actually invest in our neighborhoods."

SPRINGFIELD – To support mothers across Illinois, a state where Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related cause of deaths than white women, implicit bias training surrounding maternal health for health care workers will now be required in Illinois starting Jan. 1, thanks to State Senator Willie Preston.

“This law represents a big step in filling the gap when it comes to Black women’s health in Illinois,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “If Illinois is going to lead the way on health care, mothers cannot be left behind. Giving health care workers the tools and knowledge to support mothers will lead to better outcomes across the state.”