State Sen. Willie Preston is trying to keep his bid for Congress on track after confirming Wednesday that a 2010 domestic battery case from his past has resurfaced in the middle of a crowded Democratic primary for Illinois’ open 2nd Congressional District. He is calling the incident a serious personal mistake, but says he is not going anywhere.
According to a North Riverside police report, officers responded to a disturbance at the North Riverside Park Mall on Feb. 12, 2010. The report states that Preston slapped his then-girlfriend, accused her of cheating, and put his hands around the back of her neck. He was charged with domestic battery, but the complaint was dropped about a month later when the woman chose not to prosecute, as reported by FOX 32 Chicago.
“I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life,” Preston told reporters, with his wife standing next to him. He said the couple has attended therapy and counseling in the years since. His campaign has also circulated a video of Preston speaking to survivors of domestic abuse, in which he said he went to jail after the 2010 incident and was bailed out the next day. Preston argues that the case, now more than a decade old, should not disqualify him from serving in Congress and insists he will stay in the race, according to FOX 32 Chicago.
Where He Stands in the Race
Preston is competing in a packed Democratic primary to replace Rep. Robin Kelly in Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District, a contest that has already drawn a long list of hopefuls and at least one political comeback bid. The field and filing details are summarized on the race page for Illinois’ 2026 U.S. House contests, as listed on Wikipedia, which tracks the run-up to the March primary that will decide the party’s nominee.
Local political coverage has also noted that Preston’s campaign has leaned on endorsements in its pitch to voters, including a backing from Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon that his team has spotlighted in campaign materials and events. That support was among the recent endorsements covered in a local politics briefing at Capitol Fax.
Legal Note
The 2010 domestic battery charge against Preston was ultimately dropped, but the police report and arrest record are at the center of the renewed scrutiny. Under Illinois law, a first domestic battery offense is typically handled as a misdemeanor. Conduct that involves strangulation or repeat offenses can be charged as aggravated domestic battery, a felony that carries significantly tougher penalties. Those definitions and sentencing ranges are detailed in the state’s criminal code. For the statutory language, see the Illinois criminal statutes at Justia (Illinois statutes) and the aggravated domestic battery provision at the Illinois General Assembly.
What to Watch Next
Preston says he will keep campaigning, and his team plans to continue voter outreach and advertising while the 2010 case circulates in headlines and attack lines. The next things to watch: whether local endorsers publicly stick with him or quietly peel away, and how rival campaigns choose to talk about his past as the March primary draws closer.
The official calendar for the 2026 U.S. House primaries in Illinois outlines the key dates candidates are racing against; for an overview of that schedule and the full 2nd District field, see the 2026 House race listing on Wikipedia.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 800-799-7233 and online at TheHotline.org.
