HR0276 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0276 LRB103 32348 MST 61713 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston, who was killed in the line of duty on May 6, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Aréanah Preston was born on June 7, 1998; she attended high school at UIC College Prep; she graduated from Illinois State University in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and law enforcement administration, where she was a member of the National Association of Colored Women's Club; she earned a Master of Jurisprudence from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law and was set to walk the stage on May 13, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Aréanah Preston spent three years with the Chicago Police Department and was assigned to the 5th District, which includes the Roseland, Pullman, West Pullman, and Altgeld Gardens communities; and

WHEREAS, Since childhood, Aréanah Preston wanted to be a police officer; she was dedicated to making a difference to show young people that law enforcement could have a strong positive impact in every community; and

WHEREAS, After Illinois State University's inaugural Social Justice: Trip Through Genocide experience, Aréanah Preston was troubled by the underrepresentation of minorities in law enforcement and by too many incidents of police brutality claiming the lives of unarmed people of color; and

WHEREAS, Based on what Aréanah Preston experienced on this trip, she turned contemplation into action by entering the academy for the Chicago Police Department with the goal of building trust between law enforcement and underrepresented communities; and

WHEREAS, Aréanah Preston was quoted after this trip, saying "I know a big thing for our trip was finding voices for those who didn't have a voice. When I got back, I wanted to be an officer. I felt like could be a person to fight for justice. I wish everyday that I could go back. I had ideas but didn't know how to vocalize them. The trip made me a stronger person."; and

WHEREAS, Aréanah Preston will be remembered as an uplifting, courageous, and intelligent young woman with unlimited potential; and

WHEREAS, Aréanah Preston is survived by her mother, her father, her younger twin sisters, and numerous extended family members and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Lt. Governor, the Speaker of the House, the Mayor and Mayor-Elect of the City of Chicago, the Chief of the Chicago Police Department, and the family of Aréanah Preston as an expression of our deepest sympathy.