Willie Preston | |
|---|---|
| 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. Preston is a candidate in the Democratic primary for the 2026 election for Illinois' 2nd congressional district.[2]
Career
[edit]Prior to entering politics, Preston worked as a union carpenter. He later worked as an organizer for Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation (SOUL).[3] Preston was an unsuccessful candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives in 2018 and was elected to the Illinois Senate in November 2022.[4][5] He attended Chicago State University and Roosevelt University. He was a local school council member for Scott Joplin Elementary.[6]
Support for Donald Trump
[edit]In November 2025, while Preston was a second-term state senator running for Congress, the Chicago Tribune reported on Facebook posts Preston made 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.
References
[edit]- ^ 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
- ^ Brandy, Steve (August 20, 2025). "State Senator Willie Preston Introduces Himself to Danville for 2026 Race to Replace Robin Kelly in Congress". Vermilion County First. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Sarti, Angie (ed.). Illinois Blue Book 2023-2024 (PDF). Illinois Secretary of State. p. 75. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 22, 2023.
- ^ Sheridan, Jake (November 5, 2025). "State Sen. Willie Preston's past Trump praise draws notice in Democratic fight for Illinois congressional seat". Chicago Tribune.
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