ELGIN – With the launch of the next phase of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s “Life or Death Illinois” campaign, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is taking time to remember people who lost their lives in traffic accidents and urges others to do the same.

“It’s important to consider that traffic fatalities are not just statistics on a page. They are real people,” Castro said. “Each one is a unique individual with a rich, vibrant life story who left behind family and friends who miss them dearly every day. We need to remember these individuals, not just in how their life impacted those around them, but how their death did as well.”

IDOT started Life or Death Illinois in 2018 with the goal of reducing traffic injuries and fatalities, with a specific focus on motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, seatbelt use, safe driving in work zones, and not driving while impaired or distracted. In 2019, there were 26 fewer deaths on Illinois roads than the previous year.

“Traffic accidents do not discriminate. They can happen to anyone at any time, and in an instant, an entire family’s life is changed forever,” Castro said.

Visit lifeordeathillinois.com to follow the campaign or share stories of lives lost.

ELGIN – After Gov. JB Pritkzer signed the state budget for the next fiscal year, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), who supported the budget proposals during the brief May session, released the following statement:

“The budget is a realistic response to the current fiscal situation the COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with. It contains relief for our local small businesses, funding to provide PPE to our community’s hard working medical professionals, rent and mortgage assistance for families hit the hardest by the crisis, and support for immigrant and underserved communities who have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus.”

ELGIN – The week of April 20 to April 24, 2020, has been designated National Work Zone Awareness Week by the U.S. Department of Transportation. State Senator Cristina Castro, who has championed several pieces of legislation aimed at safer driving, stressed the importance of safety in road construction areas, particularly in a time of a pandemic.

“A lot fewer people are out on the roads during the Stay at Home Order, which can lead to an increase in dangerous driving habits,” Castro said. “Less traffic might cause people to not slow down while passing through work zones, which is dangerous to the workers and to other drivers.”

The National Work Zone Awareness week is being jointly promoted by the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Tollway. They have released several guidelines for safe driving through work zones, including:

• Not using electronic devices while driving, because not only is this dangerous, it is also illegal;
• Obeying the road signs that will help you safely navigate work zones;
• Adhering to the posted speed limits, which are for the safety of both workers and drivers;
• Provide extra distance for heavy machinery and trucks; and
• Be prepared for lane shifts and closures and slow and stopped traffic at all times;

“In this time of crisis, public safety is still a top priority, and that still includes safety in work zones,” Castro said.

ELGIN – Today, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) announced that Elgin Math and Science Academy Charter School in Elgin and Glenbrook Elementary School in Streamwood have been awarded Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grants given out by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“I’m grateful to hear that both Glenbrook Elementary and Elgin Math and Science Academy will be receiving grants,” Castro said. “We have great natural resources in this state. Taking students on a field trip to see some of them in person can be a wonderful experience.”

Elgin Math and Science Academy Charter School will take students to the Northeast Neighborhood Association Butterfly Garden and Glenbrook Elementary School will plan a trip to  The Morton Arboretum, in Lisle.

“These field trips help get kids excited about science,” Castro said. “We need more people to pursue important careers in the life sciences.”

The competitive grants were awarded by a team of judges after reviewing all applications. The deadline for Fiscal Year 2021 applications is January 31, 2021.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure to close a compensation loophole often exploited by lawmakers was moved through committee Wednesday by its sponsor, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“The era of legislators taking advantage of the system to the detriment of taxpayers is over,” Castro said. “This is long overdue and I’m proud to be the one fighting to end this practice.”

Senate Bill 2456 closes a glaring loophole in legislator pay laws, which currently allow for a retiring lawmaker to delay leaving office until the first of the month but still earn pay for the entire month. The practice has long been questioned, but fell under particularly harsh scrutiny last year when two disgraced former lawmakers used the loophole to receive extra pay following their resignation after being indicted for federal crimes.

SPRINGFIELD – Environmental advocates rallied in Springfield Wednesday in support of the Clean Energy Jobs Act. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), who is the Senate sponsor of the bill, spoke before the crowd which had gathered in the Capitol Rotunda.

“We need to pass CEJA now,” Castro said. “This is a pivotal moment for Illinois when it comes to energy policy. I know from looking around the Capitol today that we have the power necessary to get this bill passed and onto the Governor’s desk.”

The Clean Energy Jobs Act will be Senate Bill 3744. Due to the complex nature of the bill and the large number of interested parties, official language has not yet been filed.

SPRINGFIELD – A pilot program meant to provide supervision and care to adults and children with developmental disabilities will be expanded and made permanent under a measure sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“Taking care of an individual with developmental disabilities can be a real challenge and many families across the state struggle to do so,” Castro said. “The pilot program proved to be successful in providing services to those in Illinois who really needed it, which is why it should be made permanent and expanded to provide even more assistance.”

SPRINGFIELD – Disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s 14-year prison sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump Tuesday after just over seven years served. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), who serves on the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform, issued the following statement:

“Rod Blagojevich’s sentence was commuted because he is friends with the president and appeared on his reality show, and no other reason. The misdeeds he committed while governor of our great state are disgraceful and embarrassing, and it’s a shame that his friendship with the president affords him the luxury of not facing the full consequences of his actions.”