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.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Willie Preston’s law to expand requirements for school districts to notify families of students with disabilities of advocates experienced in helping students with Individualized Education Programs goes into effect Jan. 1.

“Here in Illinois we have a responsibility to ensure every student receives an equitable education,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Keeping families of students with disabilities aware of all their available resources will help not just the students, but also their community.”