SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Willie Preston’s measure aimed at fostering a more collaborative, safer school environment passed the Senate on Wednesday.

“When parents and teachers come together on advisory committees, it should actually mean something. It should be about working together to make our schools safer and stronger – not just checking a box for the administration,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “When you’ve got real voices at the table and people being open about what’s going on, you get better decisions. That’s how we build schools where our kids, families and educators actually feel safe, heard and supported.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Willie Preston is spearheading a measure that would require health insurance companies to provide coverage for rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering.

“Stuttering is something that a lot of people deal with, especially children,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “I want to make sure those people do not have to go through their speech troubles on their own and can get the help they need.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Willie Preston announced he is leading an economic, educational and cultural delegation to Accra, Ghana at the end of March, strengthening the relationship between the state and Ghana through commercial opportunity, cultural exchange, education partnerships and global connection.

“For centuries, the story of African Americans has connected Illinois and Ghana, and now we have the privilege and responsibility to bolster that connection,” said Preston (D-Chicago), chair of the Englewood-Ghana Sankofa Economic and Cultural Delegation. “This journey represents far more than travel; it represents a bridge between Illinois and Ghana, between commerce and culture, and between past and future.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Willie Preston is heading a measure that would require grocery stores offering digital coupons to have matching paper ones.

“This measure prevents discrimination by stores against people who are less technologically inclined or do not want to use digital coupons,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Not everyone has a smartphone or wants to use their smartphone for every part of their life.”