ELGIN – To help small businesses deal with undue economic burden caused by COVID-19, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development has begun accepting applications for a second round of Business Interruption Grants. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is encouraging local businesses who are struggling financially as a result of the pandemic to apply.

“The past several months have been hard on all of us, and despite shutdown restrictions being eased, many small businesses are having difficulty paying their staff and keeping their doors open and lights on,” Castro said. “Since small businesses are the backbone of our community, I am encouraging businesses owners to apply for the Business Interruption Grants to help ease some of the pressure they’re under due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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ELGIN – As many Illinois residents struggle with financial issues brought on by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) hopes new grants will help people train for new jobs and get hired.

“We are seeing unprecedented levels of unemployment due to layoffs and work stoppages as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which is forcing many into financial hardships they never expected to experience,” Castro said. “These new grants will help put people back to work and will go a long way to help ease the burden faced by those who are struggling the most.”

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ELGIN – With the Sept. 30 conclusion of the 2020 Census looming, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is urging local residents to complete their household surveys in order to produce the most accurate count possible.

“The response rate data we have is a good sign, but there is always room for improvement,” Castro said. “With the 2020 Census cut short by a full month, the next few weeks will be crucial to ensuring that our communities get the full amount of funding and representation to which they are entitled, which the census determines.”

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ELGIN – The Illinois Department of Transportation voted along with departments of transportation from several other Midwestern states Friday to establish a diversity committee. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), who represents an area with a sizeable minority population and who has long had interest in IDOT issues, commended the vote.

“COVID-19 and the recent protests have shined a light on the struggles people of color face on a daily basis, so it’s encouraging to see state agencies across the Midwest taking initiative to look inward and self-evaluate to see where they fall short on issues of diversity,” Castro said. “I’m proud of IDOT and of departments of transportation from our neighboring states.”

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