ELGIN – To encourage young people to continue learning during the summer, State Senator Christina Castro (D-Elgin) is launching a Summer Reading Club for students in and around the Elgin area.

“Summer vacation and other breaks from school can result in learning loss for students,” Castro said. “Students who continue reading during the summer are more likely to remain engaged and continue to do well in school.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books and return the form to Castro’s office by Aug. 11. Senator Castro will host a pizza party for those who finish the program.

“Reading helps students develop healthy minds,” Castro said. “This program will help them make reading into a habit and prepare them for the upcoming school year.”

Parents can visit senatorcristinacastro.com to download and print the book club form. They can also call Castro’s office at (847) 214-8864 to request a copy by mail.

Castro urges interested residents to call her office with any additional questions.

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) announced that local communities will be receiving more than $4.5 million in funding to improve local walking and bicycle paths.

“With the state opening back up and the weather getting warmer, more people will be spending their time outside enjoying recreational areas across our communities,” Castro said. “This funding will allow people to enjoy our bike and pedestrian paths safely and easily.”

Projects receiving funding through these awards are:

• Irving Park Road at Bartlett Road intersection,
• County Farm Road multi-use path,
• Streamwood IL 59 bicycle and pedestrian overpass, and
• Hassell Road Corridor pedestrian and bicycle facility enhancements

These projects are part of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, for which the Illinois Department of Transportation has selected 99 projects totaling $105.7 million.  Projects receiving funding in this round of investment include biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification, and other projects designed to encourage safe travel across the various modes of transportation at the local level.

“From commuting to recreation, walking and bike paths play an important role in our communities,” Castro said. “I look forward to seeing the improvements this funding will bring.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) passed a measure to put an end to the demand for pets from inhumane breeding operations by requiring pet stores to source their animals from rescue shelters.

“We’ve seen too many families purchase pets from a pet shop, only to take them home and find out they have a myriad of health issues,” Castro said. “Too often, pet shops source their animals from intensive breeding facilities that treat animals like objects instead of the living, breathing creatures they are.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) released the following statement after the passage of a budget for the 2022 Fiscal Year:

“As we begin to take steps to recover from this past year, I’ve made it a priority to ensure that those most impacted by the pandemic get the resources they need to get back on their feet.

“Our schools took a big hit with the abrupt switch to online learning, so the $350 million in additional funding for education will provide a much-needed boost for our students and teachers. I am also glad to see money for local governments fully funded to give our communities flexibility when it comes to addressing local needs.

“Additionally, this year’s budget sets Illinois on the path of fiscal responsibility. As we pay off our bills this year and in the future, we can put more focus and funds on programs that will continue to benefit residents of our state.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin), who has been a fierce advocate for government reform and established a joint commission on ethics in 2019, issued the following statement on the Senate Bill 539, a comprehensive ethics package that is on its way to the governor’s desk:

“It’s no secret that Illinois has needed reform for some time. Addressing the legislator-to-lobbyist pipeline was a top priority, and I believe this legislation will play a big part in closing the loopholes that have allowed elected officials to hold office one day and lobby the next.

SPRINGFIELD – With adult-use recreational cannabis legal for over a year now, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) is praising changes to the 2019 Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act that would do more to encourage diversity in dispensary licensing.

“Social equity has always been at the forefront of cannabis legislation in Illinois, and it’s important that Illinois continue to be a leader as more states legalize,” Castro said. “I am proud to support the increases in social equity this year.”

The legislation, House Bill 1443, will provide more opportunities for social equity applicants to receive dispensary licenses, which will benefit Black and Brown communities and business owners across the state.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin)  spearheaded a measure to create a program that will help people with serious mental illness or substance use disorders by enabling access to affordable housing and support services.

“The Housing is Recovery Pilot Program will help break the cycle of institutionalization for those struggling with mental health issues and addiction,” Castro said. “We need to ensure those most vulnerable have a roof over their head and the services they need.”

Often, people with a serious mental illness or substance use disorder lack affordable housing, causing increased institutionalization, incarceration or risk of death from an overdose. House Bill 449 would create the Housing is Recovery Pilot Program to help prevent people with a serious mental illness or people who are at high risk of overdose due to lack of support services from being institutionalized or dying.

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) announced this week that local communities would be receiving more than $9 million in funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Multi-Year Improvement Program to develop state highways in the area.

“I’m proud to have worked with local leaders and IDOT to secure funding for these projects,” Castro said. “As our state begins to open back up, these road improvements will ensure locals and visitors alike experience safe and easy travel around our community.”

Upgrades will consist of rehabilitating about seven miles of road along Illinois 19 and Illinois 58 in Elgin and Streamwood. The upgrades are a part of IDOT’s six year program to maintain and expand Illinois’ transportation infrastructure.