Castro vows action on maternal mortality crisis

Calls for General Assembly to consider her legislation

ELGIN – In the height of the coronavirus pandemic and global protests against systemic racism, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) said a recent news story about the death of Sha-Asia Washington, a 26-year old Black mother who died during an emergency C-section, shows the importance of not being distracted from other crises that vulnerable communities are still facing.

“My heart goes out to Sha-Asia Washington, her now motherless daughter Khloe, their families, and to anyone else who has ever suffered the unimaginable tragedy of losing a mother due to complications from pregnancy,” Castro said. “Their tragedy is the latest in a long history of them. We must act now to fight the systemic inequalities that cause the terrible infant and maternal mortality among women of color in America.”

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Castro and Welch announce initiative to expand diversity on bank boards

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) joined State Rep. Emmanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside) to announce a new measure that would require financial institutions that want to conduct business with Illinois state government to have a minimum of 20% of their boards be people of color.

House Bill 5806 would only affect financial institutions that want to be able to receive state dollars. It ensures that the money that Illinois invests only goes to institutions that have boards that reflect the state’s diversity.

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Castro to reopen district office July 6

ELGIN – After being closed for nearly three months out of health and safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) announced plans to reopen her district office July 6, with a few restrictions.

“The pandemic has put a lot of things on hold, but one thing it hasn’t is the need for people in my district to seek the sort of help that our office is uniquely able to provide,” Castro said. “With all areas of the state having moved into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, I believe that now is the time we can safely reopen and start providing constituent services face-to-face.”

Castro’s district office is located at 164 Division Street, Suite 102 at The Professional Building in Elgin. The office will be open for its normal business hours, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Meetings, however, will be allowed by appointment only. Visitors will be required to wear masks at all times, and social distancing must be maintained for the duration of the meetings. Castro’s satellite office in Hanover Park will remain closed.

“Above all else, our top concern remains the health and safety of everyone while we ride out the coronavirus storm together,” Castro said.

To request an appointment, please visit senatorcristinacastro.com/contact-us or call 847-214-8864.

Castro protects more Illinois workers with Human Rights Act expansion

ELGIN – More workers in Illinois will have protections under the state’s Human Rights Act as a law sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro takes effect this week.

“Workplace discrimination exists. It may not be done with bad intent, and at times it might not even be done intentionally, but it still happens, and real Illinois families are affected by it,” Castro said. “Everyone deserves the right to work at their job without having to worry about being discriminated against just because of who they are.”

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