SB2212, SB1853, SB0254, SB2402, SB1806, and SB0040
After the last few days I realized a pattern, Illinois politics usually runs on autopilot, run unopposed, pull in big donor cash, pass bills that conveniently benefit the right people, and pretend it’s all for the greater good. So when I saw Senator Willie Preston ran unopposed, I expected the usual: fat fundraising numbers, a pay-to-play trail, and nothing for the people.
But then I checked his fundraising over 200 sources and 300k. That’s more than others who were running the legislative equivalent of an infomercial for their donors in my opinion. Even while pulling in less while pushing bills with sponsor labels. Meanwhile, Preston had a clear shot to do the same but… didn’t?
SB2212: The "Good Luck With That" Bill forces state contractors to dig through centuries-old records for ties to slavery. Intent? Eh. Execution? A logistical and legal nightmare. Most companies can barely track invoices from five years ago, and now they’re supposed to play amateur historians or get sued?
SB1853: The "Teach 'Em, Then Charge 'Em" Loan Bill tweaks APR calculations and forces lenders to offer credit education to borrowers. Sounds great until banks pass the cost onto customers.
SB0254: Wait, You’re Actually Helping Taxpayers? This bill stops vendors from overcharging the state, forcing them to give Illinois the best price they offer anyone else. I expected a backdoor loophole, but nope this actually helps taxpayers. Preston, are you lost? This is not the Illinois way.
SB2402: Expanding Child Care or Expanding the Budget Hole? Expands child care assistance (CCAP) so more families qualify while slashing co-pays. On the surface? Great. But dig deeper, where’s the funding coming from? Great in theory but in practice it needs work on funding.
SB1806: The "No More Creeps Online" bill cracks down on human trafficking and digital platforms that enable it? Normally, these bills are all fluff, but this one actually enforces penalties. I’m not mad at it.
SB0040: Almost There, Needs Some Muscle expands insurance coverage for speech therapy for people who stutter. Great idea, but without enforcement, insurers will wiggle out of it. A little tweaking, and this could actually help people instead of just looking good on paper.
Willie, I thought I had you figured out. Unopposed race, over $300K in funding. I expected the usual cash-grab and a rubber stamp for the powerful. But instead, you’re out here not making things worse? Actually making things harder for bad actors? Pushing policy that doesn’t obviously sell out taxpayers?
This is in no way an endorsement, but I tip my hat to you for not taking the easy route. I 100% don’t agree with everything here, but for once, the people don’t need to fear the unopposed candidate. And in Illinois politics? That’s a plot twist I didn’t see coming.
104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
Read them here: https://lnkd.in/gd9Qkb6b
Thanks for F'nAround with me this morning.