ELGIN – Two local community-based organizations will receive more than $230,000 in combined literacy grants to grow and enhance their programs, thanks to support from State Senator Cristina Castro.

“The Literacy Connection and YWCA Elgin have a long history of serving and supporting the families in our community, and this investment ensures they can continue providing critical adult education and literacy programs to those who may not otherwise be able to access services,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Not only do these funds support programs and classes for adult learners, they also benefit our youngest learners by incorporating literacy education into a family-oriented model.”

Two area agencies are set to receive a total of $230,485 to enhance community and family literacy and improve access to services. The Literacy Connection in Elgin will see $130,485 in family literacy and community literacy grant funding, and YWCA Elgin will see $100,000 in family literacy grant funding that will benefit children from birth to age five.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias awarded the grants through the Adult Literacy Grant Program, which helps learners develop and enhance their reading, math, writing and English-language skills. Family literacy projects funded through the program include both adult and child literacy services, delivered in holistic and family-centered models.

More information about the Secretary of State’s Adult Literacy Program grants can be found here.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois students will soon have an easier time transferring across public colleges and universities without having to repeat courses they have already earned major credit for, thanks to an initiative championed by State Senator Cristina Castro that was signed into law Friday.

“The first iteration of the Illinois Articulation Initiative was a success,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Now that we have a blueprint set in place, it’s time to expand transfer equivalency to all major courses so that our students can graduate without barriers and begin a meaningful career.”

In 2016, the General Assembly passed the Illinois Articulation Initiative Act. The Act codified a longstanding statewide agreement known as the Illinois Articulation Initiative by requiring that all public institutions, both community colleges and universities, participate in IAI through submission and review of their courses for statewide transfer consistency.

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro announced that the Village of Carpentersville will receive $4 million in funding from the Illinois EPA to replace lead service lines in the community.

“Clean drinking water is a basic human right, and it’s especially important that our children have access to clean water that is lead-free,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Investing in replacing these pipes will keep harmful chemicals out of our water and give Carpentersville families, schools and businesses peace of mind that their water infrastructure is safe, healthy and upgraded.”

ELGIN – Building upon the smart infrastructure investments supported by State Senator Cristina Castro, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced an investment of $64.3 million in road and bridge improvement projects across the 22^nd District.

“The Rebuild Illinois plan is making transformative upgrades to our infrastructure that will set us up for long-term success,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Not only do these projects enhance travel for residents, they also boost the economy and create good-paying construction jobs across the state.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, the district Castro represents will see 20 infrastructure projects totaling $64,317,000 over the next six years.

These projects are part of IDOT’s Multi-Year Plan, a $40 billion investment in construction projects for the next six fiscal years. The project invests in all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

“From Schaumburg to Carpentersville, these investments will upgrade transportation in every corner of the 22^nd District,” Castro said. “Economic development is driven by the quality and availability of local jobs, infrastructure and transportation. This plan fuels all three – setting our economy up for the future.”

To find a full list of projects slated for the 22^nd Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – Employees working on solar projects that receive renewable energy credits from the state of Illinois will be paid the prevailing wage under a new law spearheaded by State Senator Cristina Castro.

“During my time in the Senate, I have been an outspoken advocate for fair wages and wage equality in Illinois,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Supporting fair wages for employees working on solar projects ensures workers – not just developers – benefit from clean energy incentives and opportunities.”

Under the new law, developers who apply to the Illinois Solar for All program are required to pay the prevailing wage on solar projects that receive renewable energy credits. The law provides exemptions for residential buildings and small projects on houses of worship.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro advanced a legislative package from the Senate to help improve the procurement process in state contracts and provide pivotal economic opportunities and flexibilities to minority-owned businesses, universities, subcontractors, local governments and more.

“While minority- and women-owned businesses continue to face barriers to conducting business with the state, the demand for infrastructure and energy projects continues to boom, creating many more opportunities. This measure will make sure these critical economic opportunities are extended to those who have historically been shut out of the commerce process,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Through these changes, we continue our work to cut red tape and make Illinois’ business environment more equitable and efficient.”

The measure makes a number of changes to improve state contracts for veterans, women, people with disabilities and minorities, streamline the procurement process, and allow additional flexibility for universities, small businesses and contractors.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro is spearheading a measure that would cut down on referrals to out-of-network providers and give vision care patients more freedom and flexibility to choose where to receive vision care services.

“I have heard time and again the hoops people have to jump through to get affordable vision care and eyeglasses,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Removing barriers and increasing transparency for vision care patients will help make sure that they can access in-network providers without being charged extraneous fees set by their vision plan.”

Senate Bill 764 would prohibit vision care plans from requiring a vision care provider to, as a condition of their participation, provide services at a fee set by the vision care plan, unless the services are in-network and covered under the plan. The bill also requires vision care providers to disclose any business interests they have with an out-of-network source or supplier they recommended to a patient. Upon the patient’s request, vision care providers would be required to offer in-network sources instead.

A 2017 study published in the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that vision impairments, loss or blindness can cost a person an average of $16,838 annually. That total does not include routine vision and eye care exams or care for a condition that is not associated with vision loss.

Senate Bill 764 passed the Senate Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro advanced a measure through the Senate that would expand prevailing wage requirements to include public works solar projects.

“The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and Future Energy Jobs Act gave Illinois the chance to become a leader in green energy, and we are seeing renewable developers step up to make that happen,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “It is critical to ensure workers at these important projects are paid fairly as they work to build a more reliable future for our children and grandchildren.”