Illinois State Senator Cristina Castro

Castro backs bill upholding property tax relief for seniors

Details: Category: News; Friday, November 14, 2025 04:17 PM

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Cristina Castro backed a property tax relief package that increases property tax exemption thresholds for senior citizens in Illinois.

“We have a duty to uplift our most vulnerable communities, especially seniors who have worked hard to stay in their homes and provide for their families,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This bill will increase the number of seniors who can qualify for property tax relief and ensures older adults are well protected during these times of increased cost of living.”

Senate bill 642 would deliver critical updates to help seniors on fixed incomes and help families facing economic challenges manage rising property tax costs. Under the measure, the maximum income limit for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption would increase substantially over the next several years, beginning at $75,000 for taxable year 2026, increasing to $77,000 for taxable year 2027 and settling at $79,000 for taxable year 2028 and beyond.

To address gentrification issues, it would also add an occupancy requirement, stating seniors must have owned and lived in their home for at least three years. This expanded threshold would allow thousands of additional seniors across Illinois to qualify for the property tax freeze – helping them stay in their homes and maintain financial security as the cost of living continues to rise.

The bill would also create a new property tax repayment plan, giving counties the authority to establish structured payment options for homeowners with unpaid taxes. For the 2025 tax year, unpaid taxes would begin accruing interest at a reduced rate, providing taxpayers more time and flexibility to meet their obligations without facing harsh penalties. Counties would be able to offer payment plans during the redemption period and waive interest penalties for participants who comply with their plan’s terms – making it easier for older adults to recover from temporary financial setbacks.

Senate Bill 642 passed the Senate and heads to the governor for further consideration.

Castro applauds new training center for IATSE Local 2

Details: Category: News; Friday, November 14, 2025 09:59 AM

CHICAGO— State Senator Cristina Castro celebrated Thursday’s opening of a new training center for film production crews within the Illinois Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 2, which was supported by a $5 million grant Castro secured.

“Securing funding for this project has been an accomplishment on behalf of Illinois’ economy,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Providing high-quality and well-paying jobs will demonstrate continued relief for working families.”

Castro sponsored Senate Bill 1911 that strengthens the state’s film and TV community by expanding the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit. The expansion will support good-paying jobs throughout the state with numerous enhancements including an increased tax credit for local labor and Illinois vendors, incentives to relocate TV series to Illinois, regional production bonuses, and more.

Illinois’ film production expenditures reached $653 million in 2024 – the second-highest expenditure total in state history – along with estimated wages of $351 million and 18,200 estimated hires in the industry (excluding extras). The high expenditures demonstrate Illinois’ ability to bounce back in the wake of the strikes that halted production in 2023.

“If you’ve been to a great show or concert — or seen Chicago looking magnificent on the screen — it was made great in large part because of the work of IATSE Local 2,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “This facility ensures they’ll continue leading the way in skill, safety and innovation, preparing the next generation of professionals for the high-tech, high-skill jobs that quite literally keep the show going.”

More information about the state’s film incentives can be found here.

Access to end-of-life options could be expanded under Castro-supported measure

Details: Category: News; Monday, November 10, 2025 11:12 AM

SPRINGFIELD — Terminally ill adults could soon have increased access to more compassionate end-of-life options under a bill that had State Senator Cristina Castro’s backing.

“How we live and die should always be our choice,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This measure grants that choice to ensure quality of life for those who have known pain for some time now.”

Senate Bill 1950 would allow a qualified patient with a terminal disease to request a physician to prescribe aid-in-dying medication, allowing the patient to end their own life in a peaceful manner if they choose.

The bill includes multiple safeguards that would ensure a patient is eligible, informed about all of their end-of-life care options and protected from potential coercion or surrogate decision-making by anyone other than the patient.

Patients would be assessed by physicians and mental health professionals to ensure their capacity to make an informed decision. Only the patient would be able to request this aid – not a surrogate, proxy or via an advance health directive. Under Senate Bill 1950, no physician, health care provider or pharmacist would be required to participate in the law.

Senate Bill 1950 passed the Senate and heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.

Proyecto de ley respaldado por Castro para reformar la cobertura del seguro de salud mental

Details: Category: Español; Friday, November 07, 2025 12:48 PM

HB 1085

SPRINGFIELD — La senadora estatal Cristina Castro reforzó su apoyo a una medida para garantizar la igualdad en materia de salud mental, asegurando un trato equitativo, una facturación justa y una cobertura adecuada de las condiciones de salud mental y consumo de sustancias en los planes de seguro.

"La falta de cobertura de salud mental dentro de la red en los planes de seguro desalienta a las personas que necesitan servicios a buscar la ayuda que necesitan," dijo Castro (D-Elgin). "Dar este paso brinda tranquilidad a los residentes, quienes pueden confiar en los planes de seguro por los que han estado pagando y aprovechar al máximo su cobertura."

El proyecto de ley 1085 de la Cámara de Representantes estatal crearía una fórmula para calcular las tasas de reembolso por servicios de salud mental y tratamiento por consumo de sustancias. El proyecto de ley encargaría al Departamento de Seguros de Illinois utilizar la fórmula para calcular las tasas y publicarlas en un boletín para que las aseguradoras las usen.

La actualización de las tarifas de reembolso garantizaría que más proveedores de salud mental se unieran a las redes, lo que aseguraría que las personas pudieran acceder a la atención descrita en sus prestaciones de manera oportuna sin tener que salir de la red.

"Contar con una más amplia variedad de proveedores dentro de la red permite a los pacientes elegir el mejor proveedor para sus necesidades, sin tener que conformarse con menos," afirmó Castro. "La atención de calidad para los pacientes y una remuneración significativa para los proveedores son la máxima prioridad de esta legislación."

El proyecto de ley 1085 de la Cámara de Representantes estatal fue aprobado por el Senado la semana pasada.

Welcome

Dear Friends,

Thank you for visiting my legislative website. It is my honor to serve the citizens of the 22^nd Senate District in the Illinois General Assembly. On this website, you can learn a little bit about me, my record in the General Assembly and the services I can provide you.

Senator Cristina Castro signature