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  4. Senator Cristina Castro News

Castro: Illinois vows to continue to stand up for reproductive rights

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Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Published: Friday, June 24, 2022 11:33 AM
  • Castro
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • Abortion Access
  • Roe v Wade

Castro 6 24 22

 

ELGIN – Following news of the Supreme Court overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement:

“The overturning of Roe v. Wade is a devastating loss for women and reproductive rights. When it comes to health care, everyone should have the right to make decisions on their own body.

“This decision will especially impact communities of color and low-income people who might not have the means to travel to access reproductive care or be able to afford to raise a child in these times of ever-rising prices.

Read more: Castro: Illinois vows to continue to stand up for reproductive rights

Veterans to have easier access to job training programs thanks to Castro-supported law

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Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Published: Tuesday, June 14, 2022 12:49 PM
  • Castro
  • Workforce Development
  • Veterans
  • IDVA
  • HB 5385
  • U.S. SkillBridge Program

CASTRO HB 5385

 

ELGIN – Thanks to a measures supported by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), veterans can look closer to home to access the federal SkillBridge program.

“Making sure our veterans get the most convenient support as they enter the workforce following their transition out of the military is a top priority,” Castro said. “This law will ensure that veterans have access to assistance with the program based right here in Illinois.”

The new law makes the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs the primary statewide assistance organization under the U.S. Department of Defense’s SkillBridge Program. This program matches eligible service members who are transition from active duty with workforce development opportunities.

Read more: Veterans to have easier access to job training programs thanks to Castro-supported law

Castro plan to address wage theft in the construction industry signed by governor

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Published: Monday, June 13, 2022 12:20 PM
  • Castro
  • Construction
  • Fair Compensation
  • Construction Workers
  • HB 5412

CASTRO HB 5412

 

ELGIN – Construction workers who are not fairly compensated by subcontractors will soon be given an opportunity to collect unpaid wages, thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“Wage theft is a real problem, especially in the construction industry, which can have a complicated web of involved companies,” Castro said. “This law will provide a mechanism for the workers who have been slighted to receive their fair compensation and encourage primary contractors to employ reputable subcontractors.”

In a typical construction project, commercial property owners or developers will hire a primary contractor, also called a general contractor, to oversee a project. The general contractor will hire and coordinate with subcontractors, such as ones specializing in painting, window installation, electrical and more. Subcontractors employ their own workers to carry out their part of the project.

Read more: Castro plan to address wage theft in the construction industry signed by governor

New law by Castro aims to ensure care providers receive required wage increases

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Published: Tuesday, May 31, 2022 11:12 AM
  • Castro
  • Caregivers
  • Developmental Service Providers
  • HB4647

caregiver 053122SPRINGFIELD – Care providers for Illinois residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities will see specific funding go to their wages thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“Ensuring people who care for our state’s most vulnerable residents are properly compensated will help address high turnaround in this workforce,” Castro said. “I am proud to have worked on this legislation to hold employers accountable when it comes to passing along funding increases to their workers.”

Read more: New law by Castro aims to ensure care providers receive required wage increases

Castro: Medicaid expansion will help mothers and undocumented residents

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Published: Friday, May 27, 2022 02:54 PM
  • Castro
  • Medicaid
  • Midwives

castro 052722SPRINGFIELD – Under a new law signed Friday, Medicaid coverage will be available for undocumented individuals age 42 and up as well as to expecting mothers who choose to utilize midwifery services.

“This new law is a win when it comes to increasing equity in our health care system,” Castro said. “These two major changes, as well as increasing rates for behavioral health services, additional funding for medical transportation services and more, will make services more accessible to more vulnerable Illinoisans.”

Read more: Castro: Medicaid expansion will help mothers and undocumented residents

Castro-supported measure to bring grants to people enrolled in apprenticeship programs

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Published: Friday, May 13, 2022 08:31 PM
  • Castro
  • DCEO
  • Apprenticeship
  • Job Training
  • HB5225

vocational training

ELGIN – A new law will create a program to help ensure people enrolled in apprenticeship or work-based learning programs have the financial resources they need to succeed. The law, signed Friday, was supported by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“This new pilot program will do wonders for encouraging people to get into the trades and helping those already enrolled in apprenticeship programs,” said Castro, a longtime advocate for career training and apprenticeships. “Reducing financial barriers will get more people into these programs and the workforce.”

The new law, formerly House Bill 5225, creates the Job Training Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The program will award grants to organizations to distribute subsidies to individuals participating in an apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, or work-based learning program.

Read more: Castro-supported measure to bring grants to people enrolled in apprenticeship programs

Illinois to see Crime Reduction Task Force thanks to Castro-backed law

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Published: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 02:45 PM
  • Castro
  • Violence Reduction
  • Crime
  • Crime Reduction Task Force

Senator Castro 5/10/22

 

ELGIN - State Senator Cristina Castro supported a new law signed Tuesday that creates the Crime Reduction Task Force to address rising rates of crime throughout the state.

“Many of our neighbors are concerned about violence in our communities,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “That’s why my colleagues in the General Assembly and I prioritized public safety measures this year to keep Illinoisans safe by addressing the root causes of violence.”

The Crime Reduction Task Force will be made up of a bipartisan group of senators and representatives, alongside law enforcement, advocates, legal and criminal justice professionals, and survivors tasked with exploring ways to reduce crime in Illinois and presenting a report to the General Assembly and governor with their findings.

Read more: Illinois to see Crime Reduction Task Force thanks to Castro-backed law

Castro welcomes over $2.5 million in small business relief to community

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Published: Friday, May 06, 2022 02:59 PM
  • Castro
  • Small Business
  • Back 2 Business
  • Local Businesses
  • Financial Relief

Store open sign 050622

 

ELGIN – The last round of Back to Business grants have been awarded, and State Senator Cristina Castro is pleased to see this small business assistance coming to Cook and Kane counties.

“Our businesses have shown such resiliency throughout this pandemic,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “The Back to Business grant program was vital for keeping the doors of restaurants and local shops open through the tough two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

More than $2.5 million was awarded to dozens of businesses in the district Castro represents. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

Read more: Castro welcomes over $2.5 million in small business relief to community

More Articles ...

  1. Streamlined application process for cannabis workers passes Senate thanks to Senator Castro
  2. Senate approves Castro measure to combat wage theft in the construction industry
  3. Castro celebrates Medicaid coverage for midwifery service under measure advanced by Senate
  4. Castro supports measure to help women afford medically necessary procedures

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