Global Strategy Group
8%6%4%2%0%
6%
Democrat
Willie Preston
IL-02 Democratic nominee?
$87.5K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyDemocratic
Age41 years old (Feb 1, 1985)
GenderMale
LocationIllinois
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BackgroundIllinois State Senator
EducationChicago State University (attended)
Notable personal detailsWillie Preston Jr. is an American politician and activist serving in the Illinois Senate for the 16th District (since 2023). He has worked as a union carpenter and as a small-business construction firm owner, and has been involved in community and education governance including service on a local school council. He ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House (Illinois 2nd Congressional District) in 2026.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govilga.govilsos.govchicago.suntimes.comnews.wttw.comelectpreston.comen.wikipedia.orgpatch.comeverything.explained.todaycbsnews.comaxios.comapnews.comtransparencyusa.orgaidschicago.orgelectionline.orgtheillinoize.comnprillinois.orgballotready.orgwandtv.comchicagocitywire.comwglt.orgillinoissenatedemocrats.comtspr.orgyahoo.comarcamax.comsmorrill.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgcapitolcitynow.comcitizennewspapergroup.comvandaliaradio.comwdbr.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgdocquery.fec.govhistory.house.govziplook.house.govvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcongress.govfinstad.house.govsorensen.house.govgovinfo.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Willie Preston has sponsored legislation to reform Illinois’ property tax sale system to protect homeowners from predatory investors, create targeted property tax relief grants for lower‑income households, and renew tax credit programs aimed at supporting small businesses. His proposals focus on reducing speculative extraction of home equity, capping abusive refunds to speculators, and providing state-managed grants to lower property tax burdens for eligible residents.
Healthcare
Supports targeted public-health interventions to reduce disparities in maternal health and expand access to healthcare services; has sponsored and passed legislation requiring implicit-bias / anti-bias training for maternal health providers and advocated for policies that increase access to health insurance coverage for preventive care.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate has criticized federal immigration raids as a "campaign of terror" while also saying the country’s borders "must be secured." Public statements combine strong opposition to aggressive enforcement tactics with support for measures to control the border, producing mixed signals on overall policy direction.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding reproductive-health protections in Illinois and has voted for measures that add reproductive health decisions to state protections and shield providers/recipients from out-of-state enforcement. Has sponsored and spoken for maternal-health and related measures aimed at improving access and care for pregnant people. Voting record and public statements indicate pro‑access positions within the state policy context.
Climate & Energy
Willie Preston has sponsored legislation to support clean energy infrastructure such as energy storage financing and has advocated for funding mechanisms for clean-energy projects while expressing concern about ratepayer cost increases. He broke with some colleagues to oppose an energy reform funding mechanism that he said would raise utility bills and promoted alternative state-backed financing options. Overall his record shows support for clean-energy investment combined with attention to affordability and funding design.
Public Safety & Guns
Willie Preston has sponsored legislation that tightens penalties and expands definitions for high-capacity magazines and weapons modified with forced-reset or binary triggers, and has supported measures to strengthen unlawful-weapons offenses. He has been active on police accountability and frames public-safety work through legislative action to restrict certain firearms and enhance penalties for illegal possession and transfer.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 12, 2026
Willie Preston is in the news because Chicago’s Democratic congressional primaries have become extremely expensive, with nearly $62 million already spent. The race has drawn heavy outside money from major interest groups, including AIPAC and groups tied to AI and cryptocurrency interests. The spending surge has raised concerns about wealthy donors having too much influence on the election.
fec.gov+41
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$146.1K
$109.6K
$73.1K
$36.5K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$146.1K
$1.4K
$144.7K
$9.6K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements