News

CHICAGO — State Senator Willie Preston announced that new funding is available through the Illinois Grocery Initiative’s New Stores in Food Deserts, Equipment Upgrades, and Grocery Rescue grant programs – representing a $26 million investment in limiting food deserts and keeping grocery stores open in communities across the state.

“The Illinois Grocery Initiative is a crucial program for helping our communities invest in improving residents’ lives,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Increasing access to fresh, healthy food saves residents time and money.”

CHICAGO — State Senator Willie Preston said recent efforts to strengthen safeguards for young people on social media represent a necessary first step in online safety, while stressing that much more must be done to protect children from the risks they face online.

“Any meaningful effort to better protect children online is a step in the right direction, but it is only a starting point,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Social media companies have spent years building platforms designed to keep young people engaged. They have a responsibility to ensure those same platforms are not putting children’s safety and well-being at risk.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Willie Preston is sharing disaster assistance for residents affected by the summer storms on July 27 and Aug. 9-11. Cook County families and businesses may be eligible to receive recovery assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration, as well as a waiver for tax penalties and interest.

“The severe storms that recently came through our area left significant damage, and our communities are still picking up the pieces,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Residents and businesses deserve support in this tough time, and we need to stand together and look out for each other.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Willie Preston is proud to announce that an organization in the 16th District will be receiving $60,000 for literacy program enhancements, volunteer training and more.

“Literacy is the foundation for everything: a good job, financial independence, being able to help your kids with homework,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “This $60,000 grant means that more adults in our district will get the one-on-one instruction they need to build those skills. I’m proud to see this investment in our community, and I’ll keep fighting for the resources our libraries and literacy programs need to serve every family in the Sweet 16th District.”