Willie Preston
Willie Preston | |
|---|---|
Preston at candidate forum in 2026 | |
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 16th district | |
| Assumed office January 11, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Jacqueline Y. Collins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 1, 1985 |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Chicago State University Roosevelt University |
Willie Preston (born February 1, 1985)[1] is an American politician and activist serving as a member of the Illinois Senate for the 16th district. Elected in November 2022, he assumed office on January 11, 2023.
Education and career
Preston attended Chicago State University and Roosevelt University. He was a local school council member for Scott Joplin Elementary.[2]
Preston worked as a union carpenter. He later worked as an organizer for Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation (SOUL).[3]
Political career
2018 Illinois House of Representatives election
Preston was an unsuccessful candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives in 2018
2022 Illinois State Senate election
In 2022, Preston was elected to the Illinois Senate in November 2022.[4][5]
2026 U.S. House election
Main article: 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois § District 2
In August 2025, Preston announced his intent to run for Illinois's 2nd congressional district seat in the 2026 election.[6] The seat is vacant due to Robin Kelly opting to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by Dick Durbin, who is retiring at the end of his term.
Support for Donald Trump
In November 2025, the Chicago Tribune reported on Preston posts to Facebook in 2020 attacking Joe Biden, calling on Black men to vote for Donald Trump, and claiming that Preston himself had voted for Trump in the 2020 election.[7] Preston acknowledged writing the posts but claimed he had not actually voted for Trump.
On March 17, 2026, Preston lost to Donna Miller.[8]
References
- ^ Pfingsten, Patrick (January 31, 2023). "Meet the Freshmen: Sen. Willie Preston". The Illinoize. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
Now, Sen. Willie Preston (D-Chicago), who turns 38 Wednesday, lives in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood
- ^ Sarti, Angie (ed.). Illinois Blue Book 2023-2024 (PDF). Illinois Secretary of State. p. 75. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 22, 2023.
- ^ "Community groups call for changes to FOP contract as "critical step" to police reform in Chicago". ACLU of Illinois. July 11, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ DoGood, Silence (February 24, 2022). "Alderman Howard Brookins Endorses Willie Preston for State Senate". The Southland Journal. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ "Willie Preston". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ "Sen. Willie Preston Enters Congressional Race". The Illinoize. August 24, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ Sheridan, Jake (November 5, 2025). "State Sen. Willie Preston's past Trump praise draws notice in Democratic fight for Illinois congressional seat". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Evans, Maxwell (March 18, 2026). "Donna Miller Wins Democratic Primary For 2nd District's Seat In Congress". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved March 18, 2026.