CHICAGO – State Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago) released the below statement following the governor’s signature on Illinois’ historic health care reform legislation on Wednesday, House Bill 5395 that he chief co-sponsored in the Senate:

“As a state senator representing a predominantly Black district, I am acutely aware of the unique challenges our communities face in accessing quality health care. Rooted in systemic inequities and socio-economic disparities, these barriers leave many without adequate coverage or facing unaffordable medical expenses.

CHICAGO - Senator Willie Preston today commended the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its decision to ban brominated vegetable oil (BVO), a harmful food additive that has posed significant health risks to consumers for decades. However, Senator Preston emphasized that more action is needed to protect public health, particularly in Illinois.

"It’s great that the FDA has finally banned brominated vegetable oil (BVO), a dangerous additive that has no place in our food. However, this is just one step, and we need the FDA to ban other harmful additives such as red dye 3," said Senator Preston. "In Illinois, we shouldn’t wait and allow people, especially children, to continue consuming these dangerous substances. This is why we need to pass the Illinois Food Safety Act, which I proudly sponsored. The health and safety of our communities depend on it, and we must act now."

The Illinois Food Safety Act aims to remove harmful additives from food products sold within the state, providing greater protection for Illinois residents. By proactively addressing these concerns, the Act seeks to eliminate the dangers posed by substances like red dye 3, which has been linked to various health issues, particularly in children.

Senator Preston’s call to action highlights the urgency of the situation and the need for state-level leadership as we wait for more comprehensive federal regulations.

CHICAGO – State Senator Willie Preston hosted a successful second annual Juneteenth Day celebration in his community at O'Hallaren Park on Wednesday.

“Events like these are so important to me and my district staff,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “By holding Juneteenth events in our community, we can educate the next generation on the importance of this historic date, while also giving them an opportunity to have some fun and enjoy coming together.”

The event, organized by Senator Preston's office, commemorates the historic milestone of Juneteenth and honors the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in Illinois and across the nation. The occasion brought together hundreds of people including residents and community leaders and featured food, live music, a basketball tournament and local resources.

CHICAGO – To encourage summer reading, State Senator Willie Preston is launching a summer book club for children and teens who live in the 16th State Senate District.

“Youth activities have always been one of my top priorities,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “To keep young people positively engaged in the district, I secured funding for afterschool and summer programs, and I am excited to host this book club to build on that momentum.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form and return the form to Preston’s office by Friday, Aug. 16. Everyone who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card and certificate from Preston.