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 - 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.”

SPRINGFIELD - Implicit bias training surrounding maternal health for health care workers will now be required in Illinois, thanks to a new law led by State Senator Willie Preston.

“Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related cause of deaths than white women in Illinois,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Protecting maternal health care is about more than health care, rather it is about human rights and we must protect the rights of all mothers.”

SPRINGFIELD - Emphasizing the need to protect contractors in Illinois and reform Illinois’ retainage policies, State Senator Willie Preston advanced legislation for contractors and subcontractors to receive the money they deserve.

“Workers in Illinois should never have to question if they will get paid for their work,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “It's time to make sure that contractors are receiving 100% pay for 100% work. We took a step forward in the construction industry to ensure that we truly support small businesses that create jobs throughout the state.”

House Bill 1224 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.