Castro spearheads measure to provide housing and other support to those with mental illnesses

SPRINGFIELD – To support and protect people with serious mental illness and substance use disorders and prevent unnecessary institutionalization, State Senator Cristina Castro has introduced a measure to help people obtain affordable housing and access to recovery support services.

“We need to move away from a system that criminalizes people with mental health and substance use disorders and instead focus on prioritizing compassionate treatment and support for those struggling with these conditions,” Castro said. “This legislation would help those struggling get back on their feet through accessible housing and resources.”

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Castro, Hunter, Van Pelt call for an end to disparities and maternal mortality

SPRINGFIELD – After the second edition of the Illinois Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report revealed that Black women die at disparately high rates due to medical causes, State Senators Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) and Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) are calling for better outcomes for Black mothers.

“These patterns of disparity and negligence must be identified, so that we know how to eradicate them,” Van Pelt said. “Reports like these are necessary in order to impact legislation, which, thankfully, my colleagues and I have already been working to combat the issue of Black maternal mortality.”

The report, released by the Illinois Department of Public Health, builds on the work of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee and Maternal Mortality Review Committee for Violent Deaths, which was captured in Illinois’ first report on maternal morbidity and mortality and released in 2018.  That report covered deaths that occurred in 2015, and the new report covers deaths from 2016-2017. 

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Castro recognizes Work Zone Awareness Week and urges travelers to be safe

ELGIN – This week is Work Zone Awareness Week, and as temperatures warm and construction ramps up throughout Illinois, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) is reminding people to slow down and be vigilant when driving through work zones.

“We’re hitting the time of year when road construction is increasing,” Castro said. “It’s important that we keep those hardworking men and women who fix our roads and bridges safe by slowing down and moving over when we see orange lights and signs.” 

Illinois averages 6,400 crashes in work zones each year, resulting in 1,700 injuries and 34 deaths. When it comes to deaths associated with accidents in work zones, more than nine out of ten are someone other than a worker, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

To recognize those who have died in work zone-related accidents and to remind drivers to be careful in these areas, Governor JB Pritzker proclaimed April 26-30 as Work Zone Awareness Week with the theme of “Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives.” The week aligns with National Work Zone Awareness Week.

“I urge travelers to slow down, drop any distractions and move over as they drive through work zones,” Castro said. “Together, we can keep ourselves and others in our community safe.”

Visit the Illinois Department of Transportation’s website for more information on work zones throughout the state and tips on being safe in these areas. 

Senator Castro honors Illinois State Scholars in the 22nd District

• State Scholars

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) recently honored 254 high school students from the community who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

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