Castro named chair of Revenue Committee

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) has been named chair of the Senate Revenue Committee.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to chair one of the most important committees in the Senate,” Castro said. “I think more than any other committee, Revenue affects the most people in the state the most often because bills that come through the committee affect paychecks and bank accounts. It’s a responsibility that no one should take lightly, and I’m confident in my ability to be an effective chair.”

The Revenue Committee handles all legislation affecting ways in which the state bring in money, including taxes, fees and fines. It consists of nine members and typically holds hearings on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. during the legislative session.

Castro looks for ways to fight conflicts of interest at joint ethics hearing

SPRINGFIELD – The Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform met in Springfield Thursday to discuss ethics in government. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) focused on exposing and rooting out conflicts of interest.

“Conflicts of interest threaten the integrity of our government and erode the trust that citizens have in it,” Castro said. “The public, journalists and fellow legislators must be absolutely certain that when lawmakers are negotiating and voting on legislation, they’re doing so in the best interests of the people of our state and not the best interests of their bank accounts.”

Castro is among the lawmakers and reformers calling for an overhaul of the state’s economic interest disclosure statements in an effort to better identify conflicts and encourage ethical behavior. These forms are intended to publicly disclose elected officials financial interests, but the current forms are routinely criticized as being outdated and vague.

Castro supports legislation that would overhaul the forms and make them relevant. The legislation is Senate Bill 2506 and is pending in the Illinois Senate.

 “We need to ensure accuracy, truthfulness and transparency in statements of economic interest in order to fight the scourge of conflicts of interest,” Castro said.

Castro: Culture of corruption in Springfield must end

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) issued the following statement after former State Senator Martin Sandoval’s indictment for federal bribery charges:

“I was outraged to hear of my former colleague’s behavior. It sheds more light on the culture of corruption we have in Springfield that allows a legislator to have such blatant disregard for his responsibility to the citizens who elected him to represent their best interests. This culture needs to end. I’m proud to serve on the joint ethics commission, and I vow to fight non-stop until we find a solution.”

Castro excited for future of senate under President Harmon

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate selected Don Harmon to be its next President Sunday afternoon. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), who joined her caucus colleagues in electing the new president, expressed optimism of the senate’s future under the new leadership.

“We had a very productive 2019, so I’m excited to see what 2020 has in store under President Harmon,” Castro said. “I’ve known President Harmon for a while, and I know the kind of person he is. I am beyond confident that he’ll fight hard for changes that the people of Illinois need, such as protecting working class families.”

Castro also voiced her gratitude toward former President John J. Cullerton, who resigned from his position Sunday after announcing his intention to do so in November.

“I’m grateful to President Cullerton for leading us through what was the most successful year since I’ve been in the Senate,” Castro said. “I will of course miss his leadership, but I am optimistic about the direction that President Harmon will take our caucus.”

President Harmon became the 39^th President in Senate history.