Welcome to Senator Cristina Castro legislative website

Castro advances measure to expand postpartum home visiting programs

 SPRINGFIELD—To close gaps in health care that new mothers and their children face before their standard six-week postpartum checkup, State Senator Cristina Castro led a measure through the Senate that would expand at-home care for newborns and their families.

“Providing a community and resources for new mothers and their children delivers stability in a critical period of their lives,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “The challenges of becoming a new parent should not be faced alone.”

Over the last three decades, Illinois has provided families with home visiting programs to assist with child development, parenting skills, family bonding and health, and more. The current home visiting system is a valuable resource for early childhood development statewide, serving approximately 17,000 Illinois families annually. Home visiting programs are proven to have significant positive effects on maternal and family well-being by improving maternal mental and behavioral health, parent-child interactions and family economic circumstances.

Castro’s measure would build on current state support by authorizing the Illinois Department of Human Services to develop and oversee a statewide, voluntary, no-cost newborn home visiting program that would aid with existing and future short-term universal newborn home visiting services, from lactation support to health screenings. Through House Bill 4606, the department would be empowered to establish evidence-based service models, coordinate funding and data efforts, and collaborate with stakeholders to expand services for newborns and their families.

“The postpartum period is the most critical part in the lives of new mothers and their children,” said Castro. “By expanding the state’s home visiting programs, we can close gaps in care newborns and their families experience before any complications arise.”

House Bill 4606 passed the Senate on Wednesday and heads to the governor’s desk.

Castro advocates for legal support for unaccompanied immigrant children

SPRINGFIELD — Unaccompanied immigrant children would have a path to Illinois’ legal system and access to comprehensive resources and social services following abuse, neglect or abandonment under a measure led by State Senator Cristina Castro.

“Children, no matter where they are from, deserve access to these comprehensive resources,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Given the harm they have endured, it is morally right to let them know that help is always there for them.”

Currently, unaccompanied immigrant children are being held in federal detention, often for months with no end in sight – a practice that not only inflicts physical and psychological harm but also precludes youth from being able to seek legal protections such as a Special Immigrant Juvenile Status order. While the number of children and the network of shelters that house them have decreased in recent years, the average length of stay for young people has more than tripled between 2015 and 2025.

House Bill 4890 would create a process for children in the custody of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement who have been abused, neglected or abandoned by one or both parents to receive court-ordered services when they file for dependency. Under current law, eligible immigrant children in Illinois can access the protections they are entitled to via custody or a guardianship petition, but not while they are in federal immigration custody. House Bill 4890 aims to make this process clearer and allow children to receive those protections when ordered by a court.

An unaccompanied child under Castro’s measure would also be eligible to access psychological, educational, medical and social services deemed necessary by court order, creating better mental and physical health outcomes for the child.

“Children should never have to pay for the decisions made by others,” said Castro. “Providing protection for the most vulnerable in our society should be at the forefront of our policymaking.”

House Bill 4890 passed the Senate on Tuesday and heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.

Castro pushes bill to require dementia training for direct service workers

 SPRINGFIELD — Taking a step toward ensuring caregivers have the tools to meet the needs of people impacted by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, State Senator Cristina Castro advanced legislation that would expand requirements for dementia training for direct service workers.

“Dementia does not have a one-size-fits-all solution,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Empowering direct service workers with essential information will support them in providing more informed and holistic care for those living with dementia.”

Over seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – the most common type of dementia. Recent studies have shown that over half of all caregivers struggle to find resources to help them care for patients with Alzheimer’s.

Currently, Illinois has no basic requirement for training related to Alzheimer’s and dementia for direct service workers employed by the Illinois Department of Human Services, despite providing direct care to patients who may be at risk.

House Bill 4584 would require direct service workers to complete at least two hours of training on Alzheimer’s and dementia, including safety risks, communication and behavior. This training would be completed within six months of employment and renewed annually.

“People living with dementia should be met with the best care possible,” said Castro. “Direct service workers can perform at their best with a clear guide moving forward.”

House Bill 4584 passed the Senate and heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.

Castro secures neighborhood infrastructure funding for East Dundee

EAST DUNDEE – State Senator Cristina Castro announced that East Dundee will receive a $250,000 grant through Illinois’ Safe Routes to School program to improve pedestrian safety and expand opportunities for children and families to safely walk and bike in their communities.

“Improving accessible paths to school is crucial in promoting independence and safety for students,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Encouraging students to bike or walk to school builds community and healthy habits.”

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