Castro: Diversifying the cannabis workforce is a strong step toward equity

• Cannabis

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) commends Gov. JB Pritzker for signing a measure to overhaul the adult-use cannabis dispensary lottery and increase diversity in the industry.

“This is a major step forward in making sure Illinois remains a leader in dismantling inequities in the cannabis industry,” said Castro, who has been a longtime advocate for legalizing cannabis in the state and who co-sponsored the new law. “Ensuring opportunities for people who have been disproportionately impacted by unjust cannabis laws was a top priority, and these additional lotteries will help set things right.”

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Castro applauds signing of Ashley’s Law expansion

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) celebrated the signing of an expansion to Ashley’s Law allowing designated caregivers at summer camps and other park district programs to administer medical cannabis products.

“Ashley’s Law was so important to making sure students are able to get the medication they need,” said Castro, who sponsored the original law. “This expansion will make sure they get continued care during the summer months, and I am happy to see it signed into law.”

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Castro’s Housing is Recovery Pilot Program signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) spearheaded a new law 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.

“Supporting those struggling the most in our communities is a top priority,” Castro said. “Taking a ‘Housing First’ approach to mental illness and addiction treatment will ensure that those most vulnerable are treated with dignity and compassion.”

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Castro: Positive fiscal outlook for Illinois shows we’re on the right track

ELGIN – One of the nation’s top credit rating agencies, Fitch Ratings, recently updated its outlook on Illinois’ fiscal status, a move that State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) commends as a reflection of the state’s responsible spending.

“Illinois’ outlook change shows how the actions we’ve taken over the last few years, as well as the balanced budget we passed this year, have improved our state’s finances,” Castro said. “Even with the pandemic, we’ve managed to fully fund our pensions and even increase K-12 education funding.”

Along with those successes, Illinois has also cut spending by nearly $1 billion since 2020 and reduced Illinois’ bill backlog to less than $200 million from a high of nearly $1 billion in 2017.

Two other credit rating agencies, Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s, also adjusted Illinois’ outlook to be reflective of the positive changes Illinois has undertaken.

“Fitch improving its rating outlook for Illinois is a good thing for taxpayers in the state,” Castro said. “If we stay on track, borrowing will cost less which will end up saving taxpayers money.”

Fitch’s full analysis is available here.