Preston holds press conference on measure to enhance speech therapy coverage for stuttering

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Willie Preston along with fellow legislators and advocates gathered to emphasize the importance of requiring health insurance companies to provide coverage for speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering.

“I am dedicated to providing essential speech therapy services to all Illinoisans across the state regardless of their economic status, “said Preston (D-Chicago). “It not only will benefit their speech, but it will also help build their confidence.”

Senate Bill 40 would require health insurers to cover habilitative and rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering for those covered by private or public insurance plans.

“Speech disorder therapies should be available to all who need them, and insurance companies should cover those therapies just as other health care services are covered, “said Attorney General Kwame Raoul. “Without access to treatment, speech disorders can increase the risk of low self-esteem and social anxiety, as well as lower educational attainment and diminish career opportunities. I appreciate Sen. Preston’s leadership to ensure these vital services are accessible to all Illinoisans.”

Preston has worked with Pennsylvania State Representative Brandon Markosek and former NBA star Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, both of whom stutter and have benefited from speech therapy. He worked in conjunction with Kidd-Gilchrist's non-profit, Change & Impact, and the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association to create this legislation.

“Regardless of age, individuals should have access to speech therapy services if they have a speech problem,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “By removing roadblocks to treatment, we are creating a path to empower people to speak with confidence, increase their independence and express their ideas, thoughts and feelings clearly.”

Preston himself developed a stutter when he was 12 years old and fought through that challenge on his own. He believes this legislation would assist folks who went through a similar experience to him and remove the cost barrier for those seeking treatment.

Senate Bill 40 now awaits discussion in the Senate Insurance Committee.

Preston holds press conference of Food Safety Act to highlight bipartisan support

• Food Safety

SPRINGFIELD – Following the Senate Public Health Committee’s approval of Senate Bill 93, State Senator Willie Preston joined fellow lawmakers and advocates at a press conference Wednesday to highlight his legislation to ban the use of harmful food additives.

“Consumers in Illinois should have full faith and trust in the foods and products they are consuming,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Right now, Illinoisans are consuming harmful products without realizing it. We must focus on consumer safety and offer clear directives to food manufactures in order to keep all of Illinois healthy.”

Senate Bill 93, better known as the Illinois Food Safety Act, would ban specific, dangerous food additives from being used in the manufacturing, delivering, distributing, holding or selling of food products. These additives include potassium bromate and propylparaben.

As a father of six, Preston emphasized that this legislation prioritizes children who face increased risks from these chemicals due to their developing bodies and large consumption of these types of food products. The banned additives outlined in Preston’s legislation have been identified as detrimental to human health, with links to various health issues ranging from severe allergies to chronic diseases.

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Preston’s Food Safety Act protecting consumers passes committee

• Food Safety

SPRINGFIELD - Emphasizing the importance of public health, State Senator Willie Preston advanced legislation to ban harmful chemicals in candy, soda and other food items sold and produced in Illinois. Given the recent Federal and Drug Administration ban on red dye No. 3 and BVO, Preston intends to amend the bill.

“Illinoisans shouldn’t have to fear that their food is harmful,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Many people don’t even realize what is in their food and we have to put a stop to that.”

Senate Bill 93 in current language would ban the manufacturing of food products containing brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, or red dye No. 3. Additionally, the legislation would prohibit businesses from selling or distributing food products containing these additives.

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Legislators and Advocates Call for Retainage Reform to Support Illinois Contractors and Workers

SPRINGFIELD — Today, legislators and advocates gathered to announce the filing of Senate Bill 74 and House Bill 1224, landmark legislation to reform Illinois’ retainage policies.

“This legislation is about fairness and modernizing our laws to support Illinois contractors,” said State Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago), chief sponsor of Senate Bill 74. “Our small businesses and workforce deserve payment practices that reflect the realities of today’s economy.”

The bills aim to end the practice of withholding payments from contractors across the board and instead adopt federal standards that impose retainage only when specific project issues arise. The bills would only apply to state agencies and public universities, not local governments or private developments.

Advocates called on lawmakers to support the legislation and act swiftly to pass it during the current session. “We urge lawmakers to recognize the urgency of this reform. Retainage policies affect thousands of workers and businesses across the state. The time to act is now,” said Jaemie Neely, Executive Director of the Federation of Women Contractors.

Advocates emphasized the detrimental effects of the current policy on contractors and small businesses, noting how delayed payments disrupt cash flow, limit job growth and threaten livelihoods.

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