Illinois State Senator Cristina Castro

Castro encouraged by Gov. Pritzker’s budget proposal

Details: Category: News; Wednesday, February 02, 2022 01:28 PM

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SPRINGFIELD – Following Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement:

“The last two years of unprecedented hardship for our families and small businesses have made our top priority helping people get back on their feet as we continue toward recovery from the pandemic.

“Our schools have been hit hard with the back-and-forth between in-person and online learning, which is why I’m glad to see additional funding for programs like the Early Childhood Block Grant as well as a $350 million investment in the Evidence-Based Funding Formula to distribute money to the schools who need it most. Additionally, increased funding for broadband will ensure our families have reliable internet access as we continue to work through unpredictable times.

“This past year, Illinois has gotten on track to increase our fiscal standing through reducing our bill backlog. Making sure we save money on unnecessary interest costs by paying our bills on time means saving Illinois taxpayers money.

“I look forward to taking a hard look at the governor’s proposed budget and working with him and my colleagues to pass a budget that continues to help us recover.”

Castro introduces measure to reduce consumer utility bills

Details: Category: News; Tuesday, February 01, 2022 09:15 AM

SPRINGFIELD – To combat rising utility bills for Illinoisans, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) has introduced legislation to end a surcharge used by natural gas companies to fund projects some argue are unnecessary, she announced in a Monday news conference.

“Utility bills are on the rise, which is hurting our consumers who have already had a difficult two years with the ongoing pandemic,” Castro said. “This legislation is about oversight. Natural gas companies have a responsibility to upgrade their systems efficiently to ensure the burden doesn’t fall on their ratepayers.”

Senate Bill 570 will help end excessive gas utility spending by ending the “Qualified Infrastructure Plant” natural gas surcharge. This surcharge historically has been used by natural gas utilities to fund urgent repairs to systems, like replacing dangerous cast iron pipes. However, this charge has continued to appear on ratepayers’ bills despite the completion of many of those types of projects.

Nearly $1 million in local business assistance coming to area thanks to Sen. Castro

Details: Category: News; Tuesday, January 25, 2022 09:43 AM

ELGIN – To help local businesses hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, 29 businesses in the district represented by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) have been awarded grants in the most recent round of Back to Business Program funding.

“Times have been tough on our small businesses, and folks who run and work at these places have been in a state of unpredictability for two years,” Castro said. “The B2B program is helping our salons, restaurants, gyms and more stay open and continue operations safely.”

Castro celebrates over $43,000 for local libraries

Details: Category: News; Friday, January 21, 2022 02:54 PM

ELGIN – Gail Borden Public Library and Schaumburg Township District Library will be receiving grants from the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State to help them recover from the ongoing pandemic and expand their services thanks to support from State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“I’m proud to see these two libraries receiving this grant at such a critical time,” Castro said. “From teaming with my office to host events like job fairs and vaccine clinics to putting on virtual story times for families, they are both important fixtures in our community.”

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