CHICAGO – A measure to lay out qualification and education requirements to allow for certified midwives in Illinois was signed into law Tuesday. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) sponsored the new law, which has been in the works for decades.

“The demand for home birth services has been on the rise, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, and this law will help ensure that mothers who opt for a home birth can have one safely,” Castro said. “While I’m proud to have carried this measure across the finish line, I applaud all the hard work of the advocates and legislators who worked on this law before me.”

Before this law, Illinois only recognized certified nurse midwives, who are advanced-practice registered nurses. Under the new Licensed Certified Professional Midwife Practice Act, people who are seeking certification as a professional midwife will have to follow set standards for the qualifications, education, training and experience, but will not be required to be a registered nurse.

ELGIN – Tuesday marked an important announcement from the White House about new commitments to support safe pregnancies and childbirth, an issue for which State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) has been a longtime advocate.

“Study after study have shown that Black mothers face disproportionate risks during and immediately following birth,” Castro said. “This last legislative session, I championed a law to help address that, and I am glad to see this issue being highlighted at the federal level.”

Public Act 102-0665, a Castro-sponsored measure that was signed into law in October, provides 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.

Tuesday’s announcement from the White House designating the day as a Maternal Health Day of Action addresses ways that federal and state governments can help mothers stay healthy during and after pregnancy, including an investment of over $3 billion from the Build Back Better Act to go toward maternal health funding.

Additionally, it encourages the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to release new guidance on postpartum care and create a proposal for the establishment of a “Birthing-Friendly” hospital designation. 

“Illinois leads the way in supporting new mothers, especially Black mothers who have long faced difficult disparities in the health care system,” Castro said. “This announcement from the White House will build on the work we've done already and shine a brighter light on what still needs done.”

In addition to her work on Public Act 102-0665, Castro also advocated for extending Medicaid coverage for new mothers from 60 days postpartum to one year, something the White House will begin encouraging following Tuesday’s announcement.

ELGIN –State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) recently attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the new Illinois Minority Business Development Agency Businesses Center, a flagship location to help connect small businesses to resources that can help them thrive.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has only broadened the existing challenges minority-owned businesses face when it comes to things like procurement and growing their markets,” Castro said. “It’s exciting to see Elgin become a hub for development with the opening of this new MBDA office.”

SPRINGFIELD – A landmark plan to protect pregnant mothers by setting standards for the qualifications and education of midwives in Illinois sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) passed the Senate Wednesday.

“Midwives play a huge role in many women’s pregnancies, from providing care and guidance before pregnancy all the way to postpartum care,” Castro said. “Making sure these health care providers have proper education and training will ensure that women are in the best hands at a vital time in their and their babies’ lives.”

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) is urging local businesses to submit their applications for the Back to Business grant program before the upcoming Oct. 13 deadline.

“It’s no secret that our small businesses have been hit hard during this pandemic,” Castro said. “For some businesses, the Back to Business grants could mean the difference between staying open or closing for good.”

To help restore operational losses incurred during the pandemic, the B2B program will provide grants ranging in size from $5,000 to $150,000, commensurate with losses experienced. Overall, the B2B program allocates $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic.

Businesses in the 23^rd district have already been awarded nearly $350,000 total through the B2B program. Grants through the program are awarded on a rolling basis, and the deadline to submit an application is Oct. 13.

“I urge every struggling small business to submit an application before the deadline,” Castro said. “A robust community of small businesses is vital to our society.”

Learn more about the B2B grant program and start an application on the DCEO website

HOFFMAN ESTATES – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) toured the AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital and sat down with local health care workers to discuss some of the challenges facing local systems Monday.

“I appreciated the conversations I had during my visit regarding some of the issues in our health care system, like staffing needs, number of beds and more,” Castro said. “We know that behavioral and mental health care is just as important as physical care, and AMITA is working to expand their services to people with mental health needs.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin), who has worked tirelessly for years to bring a comprehensive and just energy transition package to Illinois, released the following statement regarding the General Assembly’s passage of the state’s historic energy measure:

“After years of fighting the battle for clean energy, I am pleased we were able to come together to pass a comprehensive energy package that puts environmental justice and equity at the center of the work to move Illinois to 100% clean energy.

ELGIN – In the months following the spring legislative session, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) is celebrating the signing of a number of pieces of legislation she spearheaded to help Illinoisans.

“I am proud of the General Assembly’s work this year to pass a wide range of measures to improve the lives of Illinoisans,” Castro said. “As we prepare to return to session in the coming months, I hope to continue my work to support and protect residents of the state, especially our most vulnerable.”