SKOKIE - State Senator Willie Preston and the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest teamed up to co-host a tour of the Green Book exhibit currently on display at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. 

The Green Book exhibit tells the story of the Green Book, a guidebook that Black Americans used during the Jim Crow era to navigate safe spaces in the South. The exhibit explores the history of the Green Book and its importance as a tool for Black Americans to protect themselves from discrimination and violence.

State Senator Willie Preston was proud to co-host the event and hopes that it will bring attention to the important role that the Green Book played in American history. 

CHICAGO – Senator Willie Preston has released a statement extending his congratulations to former Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins on her appointment from Governor Pritzker to the Illinois Human Rights Commission, pending confirmation from the Illinois State Senate.

“I want to take the opportunity to congratulate and celebrate my friend Jacqueline Collins on her appointment to the Illinois Human Rights Commission. Governor Pritzker could not have made a better choice, as Jacqui has always been a fighter for equity, justice, and fairness for all,” said Senator Preston (D - Chicago)“From the local issues in our community to global affairs, she has stood on the side of what is right - and her pending addition to this Commission is welcome news to all.”

CHICAGO – Today, Senator Willie Preston of the 16th District, released a statement condemning the actions of the Tennessee General Assembly for their treatment of the so-called “Tennessee Three” and their expulsion of two Black State Representatives after they stood up for stronger gun control in the wake of yet another senseless school shooting:

“In the strongest possible terms, I denounce and condemn the Tennessee General Assembly for their un-American, un-democratic, and openly ignorant decision,” stated Senator Preston (D-Chicago), “I stand behind Reps. Justin Jones, Gloria Johnson, and Justin Pearson with my full support - as should all even-minded people across the country.”

“It sickens me to see two young, Black men removed from their duly elected office for standing up for what they believe in. As the only Black man newly elected to the Illinois General Assembly, this egregious act was particularly alarming to me. The Republican Supermajority in Tennessee is trampling over the rights of these young leaders and the voices of their constituents who democratically elected them.

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing the current archaic testing and promotion procedure for Chicago firefighters, State Senator Willie Preston passed a measure today to streamline the process and ensure a more equitable system.

“The brave firemen and women of Chicago risk their lives to protect their community every day,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “I’m happy to give back to those who serve by improving this tedious process.”

Under Senate Bill 1707, which was passed in the Senate today, Chicago firefighters would no longer be exempt from the Fire Department Promotion Act – changing the current promotion process for Chicago firefighters. The purpose of the measure is to create a more standardized process of promotions to align with every other fire department in the state where the Fire Department Promotion Act has worked.

The Fire Department Promotion Act oversees the promotion process for firefighters. It requires fire departments to prepare a promotion list, which determines an employee's position in line for a promotion. A person’s position on the list is determined by a number of factors including the score on a written test, a person’s seniority, and a person’s score on a subjective evaluation. This measure will particularly help Black firefighters who have long proposed changes to the old system.