Candidates › State Senate

Willie Preston D

Incumbent, Democratic candidate for State Senator District 16

March 19, 2024 primary: won with 17,011 votes (100%) · November 5, 2024 general: won with 53,401 votes (100%)

Also ran for State Senator in 2022 ($68,609 raised).

Worth a look

Worth a look Late reports

28 large contributions ($75,000) reported on an A-1 after the deadline

A contribution of $1,000 or more must be reported to the State Board of Elections within 5 business days (2 in the last 30 days before an election the candidate is on the ballot for). The latest: $5,000 from CHICAGO LAND OPERATORS JOINT LABOR-MANAGEMENT PAC, received 2023-05-06, reported 2023-07-03: 39 business days, 34 past the deadline.

What to check

The receipt date is what the committee reported; a correction or a typo there changes the count.
A contribution received and returned within the same quarterly period needn't be reported on an A-1.
The Board decides on fines and can waive them (inadvertence, clerical error, days late).

The entries (25 of 28)

Name	Date	A-1 filed	Business days	Allowed	Amount
CHICAGO LAND OPERATORS JOINT LABOR-MANAGEMENT PAC	2023-05-06	2023-07-03	39	5	$5,000
Cook County College Teachers Union COPE	2023-09-01	2023-10-17	30	5	$2,500
UNITED ASSN OF JOURNEYMEN & IL	2023-09-01	2023-10-17	30	5	$1,000
ASSOCIATED BEER DISTRIBUTORS OF ILLINOIS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE	2023-09-01	2023-10-17	30	5	$2,500
Kates Detective and Security Academy inc	2023-05-26	2023-07-03	24	5	$1,000
Illinois BroadBand & Cable Association	2023-05-26	2023-07-03	24	5	$1,000
ARCHITECTURAL & ORNAMENTALIRON WORKERS LOCAL 63, IPQAL FUND	2023-09-16	2023-10-17	21	5	$1,000
ILLINOIS LABORERS BLEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE	2023-09-16	2023-10-17	21	5	$2,500
ILLINOIS LABORERS BLEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE	2023-09-16	2023-10-17	21	5	$5,000
Illinois Insurance Political Committee	2023-06-06	2023-07-03	18	5	$1,500
CONTRACTORS FOR FREE ENTERPRISE	2023-06-10	2023-07-03	15	5	$1,000
Cook County College Teachers Union COPE	2023-06-10	2023-07-03	15	5	$2,500
Jack West	2023-09-25	2023-10-17	15	5	$2,000
MODESTO MANAGEMENT, LLC	2023-06-14	2023-07-03	12	5	$2,500
ILLINOIS FEDERATION OF Teachers COPE	2023-06-14	2023-07-03	12	5	$1,000
IBEW IL PAC	2023-06-14	2023-07-03	12	5	$2,500
Toro Construction Group	2023-06-14	2023-07-03	12	5	$2,500
Lizbeth Huerta	2023-09-30	2023-10-17	11	5	$1,000
Eric Dobyne	2023-09-30	2023-10-17	11	5	$1,000
Leigh Quinlisk	2023-09-30	2023-10-17	11	5	$1,000
COMMUNITY BANCPAC	2023-09-30	2023-10-17	11	5	$1,000
HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE	2024-03-04	2024-03-13	7	2	$1,000
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Political Committee	2024-03-05	2024-03-13	6	2	$1,000
ASSOCIATED BEER DISTRIBUTORS OF ILLINOIS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE	2024-03-05	2024-03-13	6	2	$2,500
Friends of Christopher Belt	2024-03-05	2024-03-13	6	2	$1,000

Rule: Large contributions reported late

“A political committee shall file a report of any contribution of $1,000 or more electronically with the Board within 5 business days after receipt of the contribution, except that the report shall be filed within 2 business days after receipt if (i) the contribution is received 30 or fewer days before the date of an election”10 ILCS 5/9-10(c) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how findings work

Worth a look Late reports

2 quarterly reports filed late (up to 77 days)

Quarterly reports are due by the 15th of the month after each quarter. The report for the quarter ending 2023-03-31 was due 2023-04-17 and filed 2023-07-03.

What to check

A paper report postmarked 3 days before the deadline is on time; the Board records when it arrived.
The Board assesses fines for late reports and may waive them.

The entries (2)

Quarter ending	Due	Filed	Days late
2023-03-31	2023-04-17	2023-07-03	77
2023-09-30	2023-10-16	2023-10-19	3

Rule: Quarterly reports filed late

“A political committee shall file quarterly reports no later than the 15th day of the month following each period.”10 ILCS 5/9-10(b) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how findings work

Context How the money was spent

$4,063.97 in payments described as a vehicle purchase, lease or payment, clothing or laundry

The Election Code bars campaign money for club and gym dues, clothing, vehicles not used mainly for the campaign, and tuition, each with exceptions. These payments' descriptions name one of those.

What to check

Club: renting a club for a specific campaign event is allowed; dues aren't.
Clothing: costumes or items worn to advertise the campaign are allowed.
Vehicle: allowed when used primarily for the campaign or government duties.
Tuition: allowed for education directly tied to the official's duties.

The entries (6)

Name	Kind	Purpose (as reported)	Date	Amount
American Credit Acceptance	a vehicle purchase, lease or payment	Car lease payment	2024-03-01	$1,862
American Credit Acceptance	a vehicle purchase, lease or payment	Car lease payment	2024-11-12	$493
American Credit Acceptance	a vehicle purchase, lease or payment	Car lease payment	2024-01-16	$483
American Credit Acceptance	a vehicle purchase, lease or payment	Car lease payment	2024-04-12	$483
American Credit Acceptance	a vehicle purchase, lease or payment	Car lease payment	2024-07-15	$483
Mens Wearhouse	clothing or laundry	Clothing	2024-03-18	$259

Rule: Car leases and other restricted spending

“For membership or club dues charged by organizations, clubs, or facilities that are primarily engaged in providing health, exercise, or recreational services”10 ILCS 5/9-8.10(a)(7) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how findings work

Context How the money was spent

$1,400 paid by the campaign to the candidate

Campaign money may go to a candidate or their family only as pay for work actually done; reimbursing campaign costs they paid out of pocket (mileage, travel, supplies) is common and allowed. The purposes the campaign wrote are listed with each payment.

What to check

Whether each payment is a reimbursement for campaign costs, or pay for work done.
Family is matched by last name and the home address on file with the Board; relatives elsewhere aren't found.

The entries (2)

Name	Who	Purpose (as reported)	Date	Amount
Willie Preston	the candidate	Early voting poll watcher	2024-03-11	$700
Willie Preston	the candidate	Early voting poll watcher	2024-03-18	$700

Rule: Mileage, reimbursements and pay to the candidate

“For payments to a public official or candidate or his or her family member unless for compensation for services actually rendered by that person.”10 ILCS 5/9-8.10(a)(11) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how findings work

Context Late reports

1 contribution of $1,000 or more ($1,000) with no A-1 found

Each contribution of $1,000 or more must be reported on an A-1 within days of receipt, ahead of the quarterly report. These appear on a quarterly report, but no A-1 entry from the same contributor for the same amount within a week of the date was found. The largest: $1,000 from Chicago Principles & Administrators Association PAC on 2024-12-31.

What to check

The A-1 may list the contributor under another spelling or a different amount (a split check).
A contribution received and returned within the same period needn't be reported on an A-1.
Search the committee's A-1 filings on the State Board of Elections' site to confirm.

The entries (1)

Name	Reported on	Date	Amount
Chicago Principles & Administrators Association PAC	Quarterly	2024-12-31	$1,000

Rule: Large contributions with no A-1 found

“A political committee shall file a report of any contribution of $1,000 or more electronically with the Board within 5 business days after receipt of the contribution”10 ILCS 5/9-10(c) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how findings work

Context Missing details

11 payments ($9,042.25) with no purpose given

Every itemized payment on a report must say what it was for. These leave it blank.

What to check

The committee may have amended the report to add the purposes.
Whether each payment is a reimbursement, pay for work, repayment of a loan the candidate made to the campaign, or something else.

The entries (11)

Name	Date	Amount
Illinois State Board of Elections	2024-01-08	$4,806
Key Journey Catering	2024-08-12	$1,000
DICKS SPORTING GOODS	2023-07-31	$583
Mens Wearhouse	2024-02-26	$552
Sam Videography	2023-06-28	$500
Illinois State Board of Elections	2024-01-10	$409
Macy's	2024-06-18	$325
Walmart	2024-08-12	$305
Binny's Beverage Depot	2024-06-14	$232
Binny's Beverage Depot	2024-04-15	$168
K&G Mens Store	2024-04-08	$162

Rule: Payments with no purpose given

“the full name and mailing address of each person to whom expenditures have been made by the committee or candidate within the reporting period in an aggregate amount or value in excess of $150; the amount, date, and purpose of each of those expenditures”10 ILCS 5/9-11(a)(12) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how findings work

Context Missing details

12 of 21 donors giving over $500 listed with no employer or occupation

For anyone who gives more than $500 in a reporting period, a report must list their occupation and employer, or say the committee made a good-faith effort to find out. These list neither.

What to check

The committee may have filed an amendment adding them.
A retiree or someone not employed should still be listed as such.

The entries (12)

Name	Date	Amount
Jack West	2023-09-25	$2,000
Beran Cristina	2024-04-10	$1,000
John Daley	2023-06-11	$1,000
Rosie Daniels	2024-03-13	$1,000
Lizbeth Huerta	2023-09-30	$1,000
Ketan and Minal Patel	2024-08-12	$1,000
Uriel Pinedo	2024-02-29	$1,000
Marco Romero	2024-04-10	$1,000
Cesar Santoy	2024-04-10	$1,000
Derly Valadez	2024-04-10	$1,000
Jack West	2024-04-10	$1,000
Benjamin Sawyer	2023-12-06	$750

Rule: Donors with no employer or occupation

“if the contributor is an individual who contributed more than $500, the occupation and employer of the contributor or, if the occupation and employer of the contributor are unknown, a statement that the committee has made a good faith effort to ascertain this information”10 ILCS 5/9-11(a)(4) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how findings work

Campaign money

$390,007raised, 270 itemized contributions, plus $3,556 in small ones

$0from the candidate (incl. loans)

$291,299spent

$100,959cash on hand on December 31, 2024

Where their money comes from (besides their own)

10%32%22%35%

IndividualsBusinessesTrade, professional and issue groupsLabor unionsParties and legislative caucusesOther candidates and officeholders

Compare with all state candidates →

How it was spent: $291,299

Other (as described)$134,916

Fundraising and events$45,759

Office, printing and supplies$45,130

Travel and meals$29,392

Contributions to other committees$6,700

Staff pay$6,384

Mail and literature$6,000

Polling$5,600

Donations and sponsorships$4,049

Digital and online$4,019

Largest payees: Illinois State Board of Elections $43,541 Other (as described) · ADG $20,500 Office, printing and supplies · Enterprise Rent $17,528 Travel and meals · Brittany Bailey $14,150 Staff pay · Ticketmaster $11,997 Office, printing and supplies · The United Center $11,930 Other (as described) · VERIZON $8,794 Office, printing and supplies · Southwest Airlines $5,963 Other (as described)

Grouped by the purpose each payment lists (“direct mail”, “consulting”), so the groups are approximate; a consultant's payments to others (ads, mail) show under the consultant.

Top contributors	Type	Total
CHICAGO LAND OPERATORS JOINT LABOR-MANAGEMENT PAC Countryside	Committee	$25,250
LUINA Chicago Laborers District Council PAC Chicago	Committee	$25,000
LUINA Chicago Laborers District Council PAC Chicago	Business or group	$25,000
Kates Detective and Security Academy inc Chicago	Business or group	$15,000
IBEW IL PAC washington	Committee	$14,000
Manhattan Mechanical Services East Chicago	Business or group	$13,000
I.P.A.C.E Springfield	Business or group	$12,500
Ricky Rockets Fuel Center Hoffman Estates	Business or group	$12,000
Toro Construction Group Orlando Park	Business or group	$11,000
MANHATTAN MECHANICAL SERVICES	Business or group	$10,000
ILLINOIS LABORERS LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE Springfield	Committee	$8,500
I.P.A.C.E Springfield	Committee	$7,500
LIUNA Chicago Laborers' District Council Political Action Committee chicago	Committee	$7,500
MODESTO MANAGEMENT, LLC Forest Park	Business or group	$6,500
Carpentry Advancement Political Action Committee Fund Chicago	Committee	$6,000

Committee: Friends of Willie Preston (every report they filed is on the State Board of Elections' site). Data current as of October 12, 2026.

Their home

$100,000 – $200,000estimated market value, 2026 assessment

$335,800median home value in Cook County (Illinois: $280,700)

The Cook County assessor's estimate of the market value of the home at the address Willie Preston filed with the State Board of Elections, shown as a range; the address isn't published here. Assessments trail the market and can be appealed, so treat it as a rough figure. How this works. Medians: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024.

Committees

Their seats in the current General Assembly, from ilga.gov. Compare with who funds them: their donors.

Companies on the state register

Registered agent for (the person who receives legal papers; often a lawyer or accountant for a client, not an owner): 77TH WOOD BLOCK CLUB ORGANIZATION (dissolved) · PRESTON CONSTRUCTION, LLC (involuntarily dissolved).

From the Secretary of State's business records of October 13, 2026, matched by name and ZIP code against the address the State Board of Elections has for the candidate (or by name when the company itself gave to their campaign). Someone listed only at another address isn't found; search the Secretary of State's business entity search by file number for the full record.

Their donors also gave to

Their largest donors who also funded other 2024 state candidates.

Donor	To them	Candidates funded
Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC Labor union · Countryside	$25,250	97
Manhattan Mechanical Services Business · East Chicago	$23,000	2
I.P.A.C.E. Group or PAC · Springfield	$20,000	54
IBEW Illinois PAC Labor union · Washington	$14,000	66
Illinois Laborers' Legislative Committee Labor union · Springfield	$8,500	71
Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois PAC Group or PAC · Springfield	$7,500	55
LIUNA Chicago Laborers' District Council PAC Labor union · Burr Ridge	$7,500	71
Carpentry Advancement Political Action Committee Fund Group or PAC · Chicago	$6,000	65
S.E.I.U Local 73 B-PAC Account Labor union · Chicago	$5,909	2
Cook County College Teachers Union COPE Labor union · Chicago	$5,500	53
Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 Labor union · Chicago	$5,000	10
Michael Uremovich President, Manhattan Mechanical · Crown Point	$4,500	2
United Assn of Journeymen & IL Group or PAC · Springfield	$3,500	6
Community BancPac Group or PAC · Springfield	$3,000	64
Ameren Business · St. Louis	$3,000	27