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.

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.

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.

SPRINGFIELD – As the cannabis industry continues to grow in Illinois, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) has championed a measure to ensure prospective employees at dispensary or cultivation centers have an equitable application process.

“The cannabis industry has provided a boost to the Illinois economy,” Castro said. “Streamlining the process for people to get involved in this business will ensure a more equitable, diverse workforce and bring multiple cannabis laws on the books in line with each other.”

Currently, individuals who wish to work for a cannabis dispensary or cultivation center are subject to two different application processes – one for medical and one for adult-use. However, practically speaking most medical dispensaries also serve adult use cannabis.  House Bill 2380 streamlines the process for prospective dispensary and cultivation center employees to receive their identification cards by consolidating the application process.

SPRINGFIELD – To help ensure construction workers are properly compensated, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) spearheaded a measure to allow construction workers employed by a subcontractor who fails to pay them to seek remedy from the primary contractor.

“Construction sites can involve a complicated network of multiple subcontractors and dozens of workers,” Castro said. “When subcontractors fail to pay their workers, we have a duty to ensure there is a mechanism in place for workers to receive their hard-earned wages.”

SPRINGFIELD – Eligible mothers who choose to utilize a midwife during the pregnancy and birthing process may soon have services covered under Medicaid thanks to legislation supported by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“Last year, after decades of work, we passed a law to officially license and certify midwives in Illinois,” said Castro, who sponsored the Licensed Certified Professional Midwife Practice Act. “We knew to truly make a difference, access to these services needed to be as equitable as possible, and expanding Medicaid coverage for them will create more options to mothers who need it most.”

House Bill 4343 makes various updates to Medicaid in Illinois, including allowing for the coverage of midwifery services. Certified professional midwives play an important role in providing high quality, low-cost maternity care for mothers who seek a home birth experience—a need particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SPRINGFIELD – Breast reduction surgery is often considered a cosmetic procedure, but many women suffer from various health issues that would be remedied by this type of surgery. In response, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) supported a measure to require insurance coverage for this procedure when deemed medically necessary.

“Ensuring women get the medical procedures they need to help them live their life without chronic pain is important,” said Castro, who has been a longtime advocate for women’s health. “I am proud to support this legislation to help women improve their quality of life without complicated financial strain.”

Women often require breast reductions for medical reasons, including immense neck and back pain, numbness and rashes. Because these procedures are often considered cosmetic, they are usually not covered by private insurance plans.

ELGIN – Thanks to support from State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), Elgin Community College will receive a grant for a Certified Recovery Support Specialist Success program to prepare students for work as behavioral and mental health professionals.

“Our mental health and substance use recovery specialists are the backbone of our behavioral health care system,” Castro said. “Making sure our workers can get the education they need to give the best help possible to vulnerable individuals is critical.”

The Illinois Department of Human Services awarded $4 million in grants to 11 colleges and universities throughout the state, including Elgin Community College, to support the CRSS Success program. Through the program, students will be prepared to work in various capacities, including inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance use treatment services, mobile crisis teams and more.