Bill Text: IL SR0317 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Mourns the death of Aréanah M. Preston.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-19 - Resolution Adopted [SR0317 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SR0317-Introduced.html

---

SR0317 LRB103 32529 MST 62102 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of Aréanah M. Preston; and
WHEREAS, Aréanah Preston was born in Las Vegas, Nevada to
Dionne and Allen Preston on June 7, 1998; after her parents
divorced, her mother married Terrance Mhoon, who was proud to
take on the role of father; she attended the Robert A. Black
Magnet Elementary School, where she excelled academically and
graduated with honors in 2012; she attended UIC College Prep
High School, where she continued to flourish scholastically
and developed a great love for cheerleading; she graduated
from UIC College Preparatory High School in 2016 and enrolled
in Illinois State University; she joined The Women of
Enlightenment Chapter of the National Association of Colored
Women's Club; she studied abroad in Germany, and it was her
dream to work in the area of forensics science; she received
her Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice in
2019; and
WHEREAS, Aréanah Preston joined the Chicago Police
Department in May of 2021; she continued her education,
earning her Master of Jurisprudence degree, with a
concentration in Child and Family Law from Loyola University;
on May 13, 2023, her family attended Loyola University's

SR0317 - 2 - LRB103 32529 MST 62102 r
graduation ceremony and accepted her degree posthumously; and
WHEREAS, Aréanah Preston was a volunteer for the Leukemia
Research Foundation, working to raise funds and bring
awareness and support to the families of Leukemia patients;
and
WHEREAS, Aréanah Preston was affectionately known as
"Bae", "Nani", "Re'Re", "Captain", "Seester", "Aré", and
"Officer"; her affectionate spirit spoke volumes, and she had
a sense of humor that was second to none; she never met a
stranger, and her outgoing character, appealing smile, and
extraordinary ability to connect with people made everyone she
encountered feel comfortable and at ease; she lived her life
to the fullest, often traveling with family and friends; she
deeply enjoyed celebrating weddings, graduations, and
holidays; and
WHEREAS, Aréanah Preston's superpower was laughter, and
she was eager to share that with each person she knew or just
met; she loved sunflowers, which symbolize happiness,
optimism, honesty, longevity, peace, admiration, and devotion,
all of the qualities that encapsulate who she was as a
daughter, sister, cousin, and friend; and
WHEREAS, Aréanah Preston had an incredible love for

SR0317 - 3 - LRB103 32529 MST 62102 r
cooking and an insatiable appetite for seafood; eating,
especially seafood boils, and reading James Baldwin novels
were two of her favorite pastimes; she enjoyed shopping and
was an avid collector of fashionable gym shoes; she amassed an
unimaginable amount of stylish gym shoes and, at any given
time, you could find her dancing and singing about her latest
purchase; and
WHEREAS, Aréanah Preston was preceded in death by her
grandmother, Jeanette Myers, and Virginia Thatch and Edward
Preston; and
WHEREAS, Aréanah Preston is survived by her mother and
stepfather, Dionne and Terrance Mhoon; her sisters, Amiyah and
Amyrah; her uncle, Christopher (Adriana) Williams; her PaPa;
her Big, Bria from NACWC and childhood friend, Trenise; DJ
(CPD Partner); her Chicago Police Department family; her bonus
sisters, Aa'jah, Paa'shion, and Tia; her aunt, Sonia (John);
her biological father, Allen Preston; her paternal aunt,
Anjela; her special cousins, Jru and Madison; and numerous
cousins, aunts, uncles, bonus family members, and friends;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Aréanah M. Preston and extend our sincere condolences to her

SR0317 - 4 - LRB103 32529 MST 62102 r
family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Aréanah Preston as an expression of
our deepest sympathy.