Sen. Willie Preston Votes Against Energy Bill, Citing Consumer Impact Amid Inflation Concerns (Springfield, IL) – State Sen. Willie Preston (D-Chicago) broke with most of his party Thursday, voting against an energy bill that he said would burden Illinois consumers with higher utility costs while giving billions in subsidies to out-of-state battery storage companies.
The bill, which passed with a supermajority during the legislature’s veto session, aims to expand Illinois’ energy storage capacity through incentives and financing for large-scale battery facilities. Preston, chair of the Illinois Senate Black Legislative Caucus and a Democratic candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, was one of only three Democrats to oppose the measure.
Preston said his opposition stemmed from concerns that the legislation represents “a corporate handout” at a time when working families are struggling with inflation. He also proposed an alternative plan to allow the Illinois Finance Authority to issue $2 billion in low-interest loans to battery companies instead of direct subsidies.
“With Donald Trump’s tariffs hyper-charging inflation and the costs of groceries, property taxes and everyday items on the rise, the last thing working-class and poor communities in Chicago, the Southland and Central Illinois need is another shock to their pocketbooks from utility costs,” Preston said in a statement. “As Republicans tear down our economy, we cannot afford to pay for this corporate handout. Especially not now.”
Preston said his alternative financing proposal would have supported job creation and energy innovation without forcing higher costs onto consumers.
“Working-class communities like mine need to be shown that they are getting a good deal where our immediate needs are not sacrificed,” he said. “My number one concern is lowering costs for working families. Period.”
The bill now heads to the House for consideration as part of a broader push to modernize Illinois’ clean energy infrastructure. Supporters argue it will attract investment and create union jobs in the growing energy storage sector, while opponents like Preston warn that the costs could ultimately fall on ratepayers already strained by inflation.
Sen. Willie Preston Votes Against Energy Bill, Citing Consumer Impact Amid Inflation Concerns
