ELGIN – This week is Work Zone Awareness Week, and as temperatures warm and construction ramps up throughout Illinois, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) is reminding people to slow down and be vigilant when driving through work zones.

“We’re hitting the time of year when road construction is increasing,” Castro said. “It’s important that we keep those hardworking men and women who fix our roads and bridges safe by slowing down and moving over when we see orange lights and signs.” 

Illinois averages 6,400 crashes in work zones each year, resulting in 1,700 injuries and 34 deaths. When it comes to deaths associated with accidents in work zones, more than nine out of ten are someone other than a worker, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) recently honored 254 high school students from the community who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

“With all the changes this last year has brought on, it is extra impressive that these students were able to persevere and exceed in their studies the way they did,” Castro said. “I am proud of all these students in our community for going above and beyond this year.”

The Scholars from Kane County include students from Dundee-Crown High School, Elgin Academy, Elgin High School, Larkin High School, St. Edward Central Catholic High School, Streamwood High School and Hoffman Estates High School.

SPRINGFIELD – To help promote the preservation of historic properties throughout the state, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) passed a measure to encourage people who own historic structures to preserve and rehabilitate their properties.

“Revitalizing historic buildings can do so much for local businesses, from creating jobs to making an area more aesthetically pleasing,” Castro said. “This legislation will help encourage communities to put work into their old buildings to help preserve their history.” 

SPRINGFIELD – To help protect local wastewater facilities, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) spearheaded a measure updating standards for nonwoven disposable wipes that can damage sewer systems when improperly disposed through being flushed down toilets.

“Every year, blockages in sewer systems caused by the flushing of things like nonwoven disposable wipes causes more than $500 million in damages nationwide,” Castro said. “Something as simple as a label on packaging can clear up confusion among consumers and protect our wastewater systems.”

Over the last 20 years, the market for nonwoven disposable wipes has grown, with a corresponding increase in improper disposal by flushing the products. These kinds of wipes can be used for personal care or for wiping down surfaces, like baby wipes or disinfectant wipes. Wipes combined with other substances like fats, oils or grease can lead to major blockages resulting in damage to sewer systems. The wipes also cause damage to home plumbing and septic systems.

Senate Bill 294 would require manufacturers of disposable wipes to clearly label products as “do not flush” and gives wastewater districts the ability enforce the act through fines for violations. There is currently no regulatory standard for labeling products like these, which can lead to consumer confusion about which kinds of wipes can be flushed.

“Our communities rely so much on healthy wastewater systems,” Castro said. “By properly disposing of non-flushable wipes, we can prevent blockages and ensure they work the way they need to.”

The measure passed the Senate and now heads to the House for further consideration. 

SPRINGFIELD – In order to clarify how taxes are collected from online sellers based in Illinois, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) introduced a measure that corrects the double-taxation of Illinois sellers who sell their products through larger marketplace facilitators.

“This legislation provides a simple fix to something that has cost businesses in the state unnecessary taxes,” Castro said. “Big websites that act as a marketplace for smaller sellers provide an important service, but the way the Illinois Use Tax was interpreted by Department of Revenue in 2020 hurt some of these Illinois sellers.”

Legislation that went into effect in January of 2020 required marketplace facilitators, like Amazon and Etsy, to collect and turn over a sales tax of 6.25%, known as the Illinois Use Tax, to the Department of Revenue. However, the Department of Revenue also required that Illinois-based retailers selling through these marketplaces turn over their local sales tax to the state, which includes the same 6.25%.

State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement on Tuesday’s decision to convict Derek Chauvin on the three charges brought against him for the death of George Floyd:

“While nothing will ever make up for the torture George Floyd experienced in the final minutes of his life and the loss his family will live with forever, I’m relieved that our court system worked the way it should today.

“Time and again, we see Black and Brown people harmed by the criminal justice system. Real reform is past due, and I’m hoping the outcome of this trial will be a step forward in providing accountability and preventing more tragedies like this in the future.”

State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) released the following statement in response to the release of body camera footage of the death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo, who was shot and killed by police in Chicago on March 29:

“My heart breaks for the family of Adam Toledo, and my condolences go out to all who knew and loved him.

“We have seen this tragedy play out over and over again in this country, and it never gets easier. This is a system that needs to be reformed through better training, higher standards and more accountability.

“We also need to build communities that give families like Adam’s more opportunities to succeed. Black and Brown communities are so often left behind when it comes to educational and economic opportunities.

“This is a heartbreaking and preventable situation. As we look toward reform, we need to make sure that Black and Brown communities have their voices heard to help prevent any more tragic situations like this one.”

Spanish translation available on Sen. Castro’s website here.

SPRINGFIELD – To help promote the preservation of historic properties throughout the state, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) has introduced a measure to encourage people who own historic structures to preserve and rehabilitate their properties.

“Historic buildings can teach us about our past while being utilized for our future,” Castro said. “Through rehabilitating and revitalizing these buildings, property owners can bring jobs, housing and businesses to their community while keeping its historical roots.” 

The Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program is administered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division. Rehabilitating and preserving historic structures can increase the value of a property, revitalize downtowns and neighborhoods and provide a sustainable alternative to building new properties.