SPRINGFIELD – With adult-use recreational cannabis legal for over a year now, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) is praising changes to the 2019 Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act that would do more to encourage diversity in dispensary licensing.

“Social equity has always been at the forefront of cannabis legislation in Illinois, and it’s important that Illinois continue to be a leader as more states legalize,” Castro said. “I am proud to support the increases in social equity this year.”

The legislation, House Bill 1443, will provide more opportunities for social equity applicants to receive dispensary licenses, which will benefit Black and Brown communities and business owners across the state.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin)  spearheaded a measure to create a program that will help people with serious mental illness or substance use disorders by enabling access to affordable housing and support services.

“The Housing is Recovery Pilot Program will help break the cycle of institutionalization for those struggling with mental health issues and addiction,” Castro said. “We need to ensure those most vulnerable have a roof over their head and the services they need.”

Often, people with a serious mental illness or substance use disorder lack affordable housing, causing increased institutionalization, incarceration or risk of death from an overdose. House Bill 449 would create the Housing is Recovery Pilot Program to help prevent people with a serious mental illness or people who are at high risk of overdose due to lack of support services from being institutionalized or dying.

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) announced this week that local communities would be receiving more than $9 million in funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Multi-Year Improvement Program to develop state highways in the area.

“I’m proud to have worked with local leaders and IDOT to secure funding for these projects,” Castro said. “As our state begins to open back up, these road improvements will ensure locals and visitors alike experience safe and easy travel around our community.”

Upgrades will consist of rehabilitating about seven miles of road along Illinois 19 and Illinois 58 in Elgin and Streamwood. The upgrades are a part of IDOT’s six year program to maintain and expand Illinois’ transportation infrastructure.

SPRINGFIELD – To address disparities in maternal mortality and support new mothers, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) passed a measure that would give them the extra help they need in the crucial postpartum months.

“Studies have shown how important postpartum care is for both the mother and the baby, and unfortunately many mothers don’t have the resources to follow up with their doctors after giving birth,” Castro said. “Black mothers are even more at risk for postpartum complications, so this measure is aiming to address those disparities and protecting every new mother.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health recently released the second edition of their Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report, which finds that more than four out of five pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. In Illinois, an average of 75 women die annually while pregnant or in the one year following giving birth.

Senate Bill 967 would provide support for pregnant and new mothers for pregnancy-related conditions, including mental health and substance use disorders by requiring private insurance plans to cover postpartum complications up to one year after delivery among other requirements. According to the IDPH report, these kinds of disorders are the leading cause of death in new mothers. Additionally, it would require Medicaid to cover multiple postpartum visits to encourage new mothers to attend.

“Over the past year, Illinois has shown itself to be a leader in protecting and supporting new mothers,” Castro said. “As we continue work to reduce racial disparities in health care, I am proud to say that this measure will put us one step closer to reducing preventable postpartum deaths in Illinois.”    

SB 967 passed the Senate unanimously and now moves to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the release of the second Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report by the Illinois Department of Public Health, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) has spearheaded a measure to reduce maternal mortality and support new mothers – especially Black mothers – throughout the state.

“The vast majority of postpartum deaths are preventable, so we need to be doing all we can to minimize those deaths,” said Castro, who has been an ongoing advocate for reducing postpartum morbidity. “This legislation will help all pregnant and postpartum mothers, but it will also work to reduce the racial disparities in maternal mortality.”

According to Illinois Department of Public Health, more than four out of five pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, and Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related conditions than white women. Mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, are the leading cause of pregnancy-related death.

Senate Bill 967 would provide support for pregnant and new mothers for pregnancy-related conditions, including mental health and substance use disorders by requiring private insurance plans to cover postpartum complications up to one year after delivery among other requirements. It would also require hospitals to have a written policy on the management of the leading causes of maternal mortality, which would include guidance from IDPH on best practices in dealing with pregnancy and postpartum complications. Additionally, it would require Medicaid to cover multiple postpartum visits to encourage new mothers to attend.

“This year, Illinois became the first state to expand Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers,” Castro said. “This legislation would do even more to protect and support new mothers, especially those who are disproportionately impacted by inequities in the health care system.”    

SB 967 passed the Senate Health Committee and now moves to the floor for a full vote.

SPRINGFIELD – To support and protect people with serious mental illness and substance use disorders and prevent unnecessary institutionalization, State Senator Cristina Castro has introduced a measure to help people obtain affordable housing and access to recovery support services.

“We need to move away from a system that criminalizes people with mental health and substance use disorders and instead focus on prioritizing compassionate treatment and support for those struggling with these conditions,” Castro said. “This legislation would help those struggling get back on their feet through accessible housing and resources.”

ELGIN – This week is Work Zone Awareness Week, and as temperatures warm and construction ramps up throughout Illinois, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) is reminding people to slow down and be vigilant when driving through work zones.

“We’re hitting the time of year when road construction is increasing,” Castro said. “It’s important that we keep those hardworking men and women who fix our roads and bridges safe by slowing down and moving over when we see orange lights and signs.” 

Illinois averages 6,400 crashes in work zones each year, resulting in 1,700 injuries and 34 deaths. When it comes to deaths associated with accidents in work zones, more than nine out of ten are someone other than a worker, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) recently honored 254 high school students from the community who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

“With all the changes this last year has brought on, it is extra impressive that these students were able to persevere and exceed in their studies the way they did,” Castro said. “I am proud of all these students in our community for going above and beyond this year.”

The Scholars from Kane County include students from Dundee-Crown High School, Elgin Academy, Elgin High School, Larkin High School, St. Edward Central Catholic High School, Streamwood High School and Hoffman Estates High School.