Castro responds to State of the State Address: “I’m not convinced the governor will provide the leadership we’ve been lacking for the last three years.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) issued the following response to Governor Rauner’s State of the State address today.

“Governor Rauner spoke over and over again about working and coming together,” said Castro. “But where was he when legislators on both sides of the aisle were coming together this past year? There was no substance in what he said.”

Senator Castro was upset that the governor did not mention the task force he planned on putting together to solve the problem at the Veterans Home in Quincy regarding the Legionnaires’ disease epidemic.

“Two weeks ago Governor Rauner said that he planned on putting together a task force to investigate this issue immediately,” said Castro. “I am angry and upset that it has been two weeks and still nothing has been done. He has had three years. This problem could have been solved by now.”

Read more …

Castro partners with Hanover Township and AMITA Health to provide free heart health screenings

• Hanover Township
• AMITA Health
• Heart Health Month
• Heart Health Screenings

ELGIN – February is Heart Health Month, and what better way to bring awareness than by providing free heart health screenings?

Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is partnering with Hanover Township and AMITA Health to provide heart health screenings at an event in Hanover Park. The Hanover Township Office of Community Health will be providing screenings to check blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and anemia. AMITA Health will be providing stroke risk assessments.

The event will be held Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 9 – 11:30 a.m. at the Astor Avenue Community Center (7431 Astor Ave. Hanover Park, Illinois 60133). No appointment is required. Any questions can be directed to the township at (630)-540-9085.

AMITA Health is the third-largest health system in Illinois and delivers care to Chicago’s northwestern, west and southwestern suburbs.

Hanover Township provides a variety of services to its community. The location of the event is home to Hanover Township’s Department of Welfare Services. This department offers programs and services to improve the quality of life of Hanover Township residents experiencing hardships.

Castro announces new funding for Elgin school libraries

ELGIN – Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) announced today that Elgin Area School District U46 will receive more than $28,000 through the Secretary of State’s School Library Grant program.

The School District Library Grant Program is designed to provide new and updated books and materials for public schools in Illinois.

“I am happy that Elgin’s school library will benefit from the library grant,” said Castro. “The grant will guarantee that the children will have updated materials at their fingertips.”

Castro on Legionnaires’ disease outbreak: “Our veterans have fought to protect us; it is time for us to protect them.”

• Legionnaires' disease
• Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) attended the Senate and House Veterans Affairs Joint Committee Hearing regarding the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy. There have been over a dozen deaths caused by this disease in the past three years.

“Governor Rauner’s administration should have taken immediate action three years ago,” said Castro. “His administration not being here today for this hearing shows me they aren’t taking this seriously. If they knew this was happening, why did they just sit on the CDC’s recommendations? Why did it take so long?”

Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by bacteria found in plumbing systems. Thirteen residents at the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy have died due to this disease over the past three years.

“Pro-action, pro-action,” said Castro. “I’m tired of excuses. These are our veterans and they deserve dignity. A permanent solution needs to be found.”