Welcome to Senator Cristina Castro legislative website

Castro leads bill to provide ease-of-mind for drivers with ASD, police officers

 SPRINGFIELD— To improve communication and create safer, more positive interactions between police officers and individuals with an autism spectrum disorder, State Senator Cristina Castro is leading the charge to establish a Blue Envelope Program in Illinois.

“Providing opportunities to form connections between law enforcement and individuals with autism is important in ensuring those interactions go as smoothly as possible,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “With this legislation, we are bridging the gap of information for law enforcement when interacting with members of the community.”

Nationwide, the Blue Envelope Program is a community-driven, voluntary initiative designed to improve communication and reduce stress during encounters between law enforcement and individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Autism awareness groups such as Autism Hero Project lead these efforts in establishing this same program in states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut and Virginia.

House Bill 4472 would establish a Blue Envelope Program in Illinois by requiring the Illinois Secretary of State to design and make publicly available blue envelopes for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to hold vehicle-related documents inside. The information provided in these envelopes would carry essential driver’s documents along with emergency contact information, communication preferences of the individual and instructions for law enforcement on how to proceed with the individual.  

The goal is to help guide law enforcement through interactions with individuals with autism, providing less stress and confusion for both parties. Drivers could choose whether or not they want to participate in the program.

“After working with the Elgin Police Department on their local pilot version of this program, we have seen nothing but positive results in our community,” said Castro. “What we have done locally should serve as a model for the rest of the state to follow.”

House Bill 4472 passed the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday.

Castro leads charge to deliver critical care for newborns

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Cristina Castro advanced a measure that would develop a program to increase care for newborns.

“The postpartum period is a critical phase of newborns’ well-being,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Delivering needed care in that time period will ensure their health is not compromised.”

Over three decades, Illinois has recognized the importance of home visiting programs and their impact on new families. The current statewide home visiting system serves 17,000 Illinois families, remaining a cornerstone of early childhood development in the state.

Castro is leading House Bill 4606 to continue to build on that legacy. The measure would authorize the Illinois Department of Human Services to develop and oversee a statewide, voluntary, no-cost newborn home visiting program by establishing evidence-based service models, coordinating funding and data efforts, and collaborating with stakeholders to expand support for newborns and their families.

Home visiting programs are comprehensive initiatives that ensure new families and their infant children are connected with community resources, early childhood services, family supports and follow-up health care.

“The challenge of being a mother is enough on its own,” said Castro. “Having a community of support and resources available enables new parents and their children to live happy and healthy lives.”

House Bill 4606 passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee Tuesday.

Castro to host Mobile DMV for residents

Hoffman Estates — State Senator Cristina Castro invites residents to a Mobile DMV event in Hoffman Estates to give area residents the chance to access vehicle services at a location in the community without the wait time or commute often associated with visiting a regular facility.

“Access to a driver services facility will just be around the corner,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “No matter if you’re accessing services for your vehicle registration and license plate stickers or driver’s license, we want to make the process as easy as possible.”

The event will be held at Schaumburg Township, located at 1 Illinois Blvd., on May 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The unit operates like a driver services facility and offers driver’s license and state ID renewals, REAL ID processing, vehicle registration stickers and more. Certain services will require documentation and applicable fees, which can be found at www.ilsos.gov.

Space is limited and appointments are required as walk-ins are not guaranteed service. Residents can RSVP by calling Castro’s office at 847-214-8864.

Castro emite declaración sobre las acusaciones contra César Chávez

ELGIN — La senadora estatal Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) emitió la siguiente declaración el viernes en respuesta a las acusaciones recientemente publicadas sobre abusos sexuales y conducta inapropiada por parte del ya fallecido César Chávez.

“Es muy triste que Dolores Huerta y otras mujeres que vivieron lo mismo hayan tenido que soportar durante décadas el peso de abusos que sufrieron y se hayan visto obligadas a guardar silencio al respecto, debido al estigma que existe en nuestra cultura por alzar la voz.

“El hecho de que sean capaces de resistir el estigma y expresar el dolor que han sufrido demuestra la valentía y la fortaleza de estas mujeres; una acción profundamente vulnerable por la que les felicito.

“Haber conocido a Dolores Huerta ha sido un honor y un privilegio. Haber podido escuchar sus historias personales y sus propias luchas dentro del movimiento de los trabajadores agrícolas ha tenido una gran influencia en mi vida. Es precisamente al conocer sus historias por lo que el comportamiento descrito sobre Chávez resulta especialmente indigno e inaceptable.

“Debemos dejar algo claro: esto no debe manchar el arduo trabajo y el esfuerzo que los trabajadores agrícolas han dedicado durante décadas en nombre de este movimiento. Dolores Huerta y los trabajadores que lideraban el movimiento por la justicia para los trabajadores agrícolas comprendieron que esto solo podría lograrse si se basaba en los valores que destacan las fortalezas de la comunidad latina: la resiliencia, la compasión, el respeto y la integridad.

“Me solidarizo con Dolores Huerta y con todas las víctimas de las presuntas acciones cometidas por César Chávez. Espero que el hecho de que ellas cuenten su verdad anime a otras personas a hacer lo mismo."