CHICAGO- Senator Willie Preston (D-16^th District) filed Senate Bill 2689 designed to continue the move to a carbon free energy supply while safeguarding future ratepayer risks associated with spiking energy costs.

“After listening to the August 18th Senate Energy Committee hearing, where special interests continued to offer the same tired arguments and repeated unfulfilled promises, particularly as they relate to my community, I felt compelled to take specific and effective action to help my constituents and all of Illinois with rising energy costs.  This bill will enable Illinois to continue to press forward towards an affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy future regardless of who sits in the Oval Office, while not holding the pocket book of hardworking families hostage to unsubstantiated future promises.” 

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.”