SPRINGFIELD - Emphasizing the need to protect contractors in Illinois and reform Illinois’ retainage policies, State Senator Willie Preston championed a new law for contractors and subcontractors to receive the money they deserve.

“Hardworking individuals in Illinois should never have to question if they will get paid for their work,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “This law puts workers first and makes sure that contractors are receiving 100% pay for 100% work.”

Preston’s new law would permit state agencies to retain a percentage of payments due to a contractor or subcontractor only if they are not progressing on a project. Upon completion of the project, the agency must pay the contractor or subcontractor the money that was retained during the project.

“As a former contracting business owner, this fight is deeply personal to me and I want to tell you that if you are a small contractor, I will always stand up for you, fight for you, and advocate for you,” said Preston. “This law allows us to empower our minority small businesses and push for fairness for all contractors.”

House Bill 1224 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect July 1, 2026.

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Willie Preston led a new law to prohibit unlawful restrictive covenant modification fees in Illinois.

“No homeowner should have to pay to remove illegal, racist, or offensive language from their deed, “said Preston (D-Chicago). “As chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, I will always push for legislation that ensures that marginalized communities are treated equally in all areas of life including finances.”

House Bill 1575 prohibits a county recorder from assessing a fee for modification of an unlawful restrictive covenant or for copies of any records necessary to file the modification.

Currently, restrictive covenants are illegal and unenforceable as they violate the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. A person can go to the county recorder's office now and have a deed modified to remove a restrictive covenant but they may charge a $10 fee to do so. Under Preston’s law if the modification of a deed is to remove a restrictive covenant, the recorder's office cannot charge a fee.

“This law ensures that all citizens regardless of their race, national origin, ethnicity or religion will not be charged a fee for wanting to have property in our state,” said Preston.

House Bill 1575 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect Jan 1, 2026.

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Willie spearheaded a new law to expand requirements for school districts to notify families of students with disabilities of advocates experienced in Individualized Education Programs.

“This legislation ensures that families know what services are available to them as they help their child navigate the educational space,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “All students deserve a fair and just education experience.”

SPRINGFIELD - Implicit bias training surrounding maternal health for health care workers will now be required in Illinois, thanks to a new law led by State Senator Willie Preston.

“Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related cause of deaths than white women in Illinois,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Protecting maternal health care is about more than health care, rather it is about human rights and we must protect the rights of all mothers.”