Castro law expands Illinois Human Rights Act to cover more workers

ELGIN – More workers, including those working for small employers, will have protection under a new law sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“We have to ensure that every employee in the state has the same protections when it comes to discrimination in the work place,” Castro said. “Expanding the Illinois Human Rights Act is the right thing to do,” Castro said.

House Bill 252 expands the Illinois Human Rights Act to include employers with one or more employees. Current law only applied to workplaces with 15 or more employees. This new law will give these employees a remedy for work-related discrimination and retaliation, including claims for discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, marital status, military status and sexual orientation.

Castro worked closely with many advocacy groups while carrying the bill through the Senate, including Equality Illinois. Michael Ziri, Director of Public Policy at Equality Illinois, pointed out the crucial timing of the bill being signed.

“At the federal level, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider in October whether federal civil rights law protects LGBTQ people from employment discrimination,” Ziri said. “Just a few days ago, the Trump Administration proposed a broad policy that would allow federal contractors to discriminate against LGBTQ people, women, and religious minorities, but Illinois is moving forward, and our Human Rights Act is strengthened thanks to the governor’s action today.”

There are currently exceptions to the Act for certain human rights claims, including sexual harassment and discrimination based on pregnancy or disability.

The bill was signed by Gov. JB Pritzker Tuesday and takes effect July 1, 2020

Castro provides in-state college tuition rates to all military personnel

SPRINGFIELD – Continuing her fierce dedication toward those who serve in the military, a new law sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) will provide in-state tuition rates to all active duty military and all individuals receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“One of the fundamental duties of our society is to provide for the people who risked everything to serve and defend it,” Castro said. “I think this bill does just that. By offering in-state tuition rates to current and former members of the military, we’re giving them the ability to receive a quality education at one of Illinois several outstanding public universities at a reduced cost.”

Senate Bill 1907 provides that if an individual is an active duty member of the United States military or is receiving veterans’ education benefits from the VA, they count as a resident of Illinois for the purpose of determining tuition. The bill was an initiative of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

“This is only a small token of our immense gratitude, because we will never be able to give the brave men and women who serve our country the full thanks they deserve,” Castro said.

The bill passed through both chambers of General Assembly with unanimous support. It was signed by Gov. JB Pritzker Friday, and is effective immediately.

Castro gives school nurses ability to administer medicinal cannabis

SPRINGFIELD – School nurses will soon be able to provide medicinal cannabis to eligible students under a new law sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) that was signed by the governor today.

“There are many students across the state who rely on medicinal cannabis as part of their medical regimen,” Castro said. “Ideally, the parents of these students would provide the medications, but it’s often the case that the parents are unable to make it to the school due to other commitments. By giving school nurses the ability to administer these important medications, we can ensure that students across Illinois are getting the proper treatment they require.”

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Castro Creates Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force

SPRINGFIELD – A task force aimed at examining the service-related ailments veterans often suffer will soon meet, thanks to a law sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“Our servicemen and women risk everything to protect our country, but once their service is finished and they seek treatment for conditions that arose as a result of their service, many veterans find themselves waiting months, sometimes even years, to get that treatment,” Castro said. “This is unacceptable. We owe it to the brave men and women who defended our freedom to give them the treatment they need. This task force will help identify and correct the issues that lead to delays.”

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