PALATINE – State Senator Cristina Castro recently celebrated Harper College as they officially broke ground on the new Canning Student Center, which will provide a wide array of essential services for students.

“Harper College is an integral institution on the pathway to success for undergraduate and continuing education students in this region of Illinois. I have long been advocating for the construction of a student center here, and I’m truly thankful that we’ve reached this important date,” said Castro (D – Elgin). “Investments like this not only enhance the educational environment, but also serve as an important recruitment tool to grow the student body.”

SPRINGFIELD — A landmark plan spearheaded by State Senator Cristina Castro and State Representative Theresa Mah to begin phasing out the federal subminimum wage for Illinoisans with disabilities is one step closer to becoming law.

“I’ve heard from friends, family and constituents about the pain they have to live with knowing their son or daughter is doing manual labor in a shop for eight hours a day only to come home with pennies on the dollar in their paycheck,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This legislation is personal to me and a critical step in upholding the rights and dignity of all workers in our state.”

SPRINGFIELD — To uplift the vital economic contributions the arts industry provides to Illinois and the Northwest Suburbs, State Senator Cristina Castro helped lead an initiative through the Senate to support this industry and others.

“Illinois’ creative and performing arts industries employ nearly 200,000 Illinoisans,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “With more flexible rules in place, well-paying job opportunities and a diverse pool of talent, we can expect to see continuing success in the growth of the arts across our state.”

The Illinois Live Theater Production Tax Credit Program provides theaters with a transferable tax credit, offering an incentive to hire locally by covering a percentage of Illinois labor and in-state talent costs.

Reproductive care and treatment remain legal, protected and accessible in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD — Standing strong on the issue of safeguarding women’s health, State Senator Cristina Castro championed the effort to expand access to fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization through a measure signed into law Friday.

“Infertility affects millions of Americans, leaving thousands of hopeful parents in Illinois and across the United States unable to have a child on their own,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “The possibility of starting a family through advanced treatments like IVF represents hope for so many of these individuals – and this law takes steps to protect and expand access for the thousands who rely on it.”

To address cost barriers that limit access to treatments like IVF for families across the state, the new law requires every group health insurance policy to cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility starting Jan. 1, 2026. It also adds coverage for an annual menopause health visit for those age 45 and older.

SPRINGFIELD – A longtime advocate for extending state procurement opportunities to minorities, women, veterans and people with disabilities, State Senator Cristina Castro is leading a measure to improve diversity, clear up bureaucratic issues and modernize the state’s contracting process.

“Companies with roots in our communities should not face challenges to doing business with the state – especially as we undertake historic infrastructure projects across Illinois,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “These changes will help build capacity and facilitate a streamlined commerce process in our state.”

To eliminate long-standing obstacles and increase diversity in state contracting, the package includes provisions to modernize the procurement process, improve transparency, encourage responsible competition and safeguard taxpayer dollars in infrastructure projects.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois workers could soon be protected by stronger workplace anti-retaliation measures, thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro.

“Workers across our state deserve safety and protection on the job,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “When an employee raises the alarm about something like a workplace hazard, we need to make sure laws are in place to safeguard them from retaliation. No one should be punished for speaking up to make working conditions safer for everyone.”

Castro is leading a measure to strengthen the current law prohibiting employers from retaliating against employees who blow the whistle on unlawful practices, including public health or safety threats, in the workplace. The legislation enhances whistleblower protections by expanding definitions and protected activity, granting broader remedies to affected employees, and giving the Illinois Attorney General the ability to act on behalf of workers whose employers have retaliated against them for disclosing a dangerous or unlawful practice.

SPRINGFIELD — While physical therapy has traditionally required in-person care and coordination, the rise in availability of telehealth services in recent years offers potential for the field to deliver efficient, low-cost care remotely. Recognizing this potential, State Senator Cristina Castro is leading a measure to give physical therapists in Illinois the option to provide services via telehealth.

“While some people will benefit from fully in-person physical therapy, it may be more convenient for others to utilize telehealth or a mix of in-person and virtual visits,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This measure is all about flexibility because it allows patients to work with their providers to determine the best course of treatment that works for them.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro advanced a measure to strengthen Illinois’ anti-retaliation protections for employees who raise the alarm about issues like workplace safety.

“We have to make sure every employee in our state has protections when it comes to retaliation in the workplace,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Whistleblowers step up to keep others safe, and they ought to be protected for doing so.”

Castro is leading a measure to strengthen the current law prohibiting employers from taking retaliatory action against employees who blow the whistle on unlawful practices, including public health or safety threats, in the workplace. The legislation enhances whistleblower protections by expanding definitions and protected activity, and giving the Illinois Attorney General the ability to act on behalf of workers whose employers have retaliated against them for disclosing a dangerous or unlawful practice.