Preston bill to provide formerly incarcerated individuals with a pathway to society

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Willie Preston is leading legislation to provide formerly incarcerated individuals resources to acclimate the person to life outside of a correctional facility.

“By providing resources to formerly incarcerated individuals, we are giving them a chance to succeed, empower and uplift their communities,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “We must treat all Illinoisans with respect and give them a chance to succeed regardless of their background.”

House Bill 3441 would provide that upon the release of a committed person on parole, mandatory supervised release, final discharge, or pardon, the Illinois Department of Corrections must provide the person with resources to acclimate the person to life outside the correctional institution or facility. It would include access to social workers, clinical psychologists, and other counselors.

Additionally, under the measure, counselors must assist the person in obtaining housing, employment, education, health care, state identification, and other resources that the counselors deem necessary to assist in the person's adjustment to society and the prevention of recidivism.

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Preston leads expansion of implicit bias training for health care workers

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Willie Preston passed a measure through the Senate Licensed Activities Committee to expand implicit bias training for health care workers in Illinois.

“Having implicit bias training in our health care system is essential as Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related cause of deaths than white women,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “We must protect the maternal health of every women in our state.”

House Bill 2517 would expand implicit bias training for health care workers in Illinois to include training in potential maternal health risk factors associated with marginalized communities with increased mortality rate.

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Preston commends HHS, FDA phase out of eight artificial dyes from the U.S. food supply

CHICAGO – Following the recent announcement of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Food and Drug Administration to phase out eight artificial dyes, State Senator Willie Preston announced his support for the decision and highlighted his efforts to remove harmful food additives that have been linked to dangerous health issues.

“Today’s announcement by the HHS and FDA to phase out artificial dyes in America is long overdue. I applaud them for taking this bold yet pragmatic step,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “The health of Americans — especially our children — must rise above corporate profits and political gamesmanship.”

The eight petroleum-based artificial colors being phased out include Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Orange B, Citrus Red No. 2, Red No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Yellow No. 6. These are found in products such as cereal, ice cream, snacks, yogurts, and more.

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Preston helps secure $550,000 in job training funding for Community Development Institute

CHICAGO — State Senator Willie Preston secured $550,000 to help the Community Development Institute revitalize the community by providing a pathway to good-paying jobs in trades.

“The Illinois works Pre-Apprenticeship Program lays a solid foundation for rebuilding our communities, household by household, by equipping people with the skills to pay the bills,” said Preston (D-Chicago).  “Apprenticeships are bridges from low-income families to the middle class, from renting to home ownership, from simply surviving to thriving.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $19 million in grant funding through the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program to 38 organizations across the state. The purpose of the funding is to create more pathways for kids to access pre-apprenticeship programs and registered apprenticeships, which provide greater opportunities to secure lifelong careers in the construction trades. In Preston’s district, the Community Development Institute will see a total of $550,000 to support pre-apprenticeship students.

“When I was 21 years old, with a desire to provide for my family, I took a chance and enrolled in the Carpenters Pre-Apprenticeship Program,” said Preston. That opportunity changed not only the trajectory of my life, but the life of my entire family, and ultimately led me to where I am today.”

To see a full list of organizations receiving grant funding across the state, click here.