Castro protects undocumented immigrant tenants from landlord harassment

SPRINGFIELD – A measure to protect undocumented immigrant tenants from landlord harassment passed the Senate today thanks to Elgin Democrat State Senator Cristina Castro.

Senate Bill 1290 creates the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, which prohibits landlords from questioning a tenant’s immigration status as a means of harassment or to force an eviction.

“We have to put a protection in place to ensure that landlords are not holding their tenants’ immigration status over their head to pressure higher rent or eviction,” said Castro.

Castro’s measure would allow tenants to report criminal activity or habitability issues without being targeted based on their immigration status.

Currently, the Illinois Human Rights Act does not protect individuals based on immigration status, nor does it place any limitations on when a landlord may request or share that information. 

“Tenants should feel free to come forward and report these important habitability issues no matter their status,” said Castro. “It is important, not only for the tenant’s safety, but the safety of the municipality.”

Senate Bill 1290 passed the Senate today and now moves to the House for consideration.

Castro takes aim at unrealistic workloads for registered nurses

SPRINGFIELD – The State of Illinois currently does not have a limit on how many patients are assigned to registered nurses at one time, creating an unrealistic workload, but State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is working to change that. 

Castro’s measure would create the Safe Patient Limits Act, setting a cap on how many patients can be assigned to a registered nurse in specified situations. This would allow Rn’s a lighter workload, which would give them more time with their assigned patients. 

“This doesn’t just relieve the workload for RNs,” Castro said. “It’s also safer for the patients and allows the RNs to give them the quality care they deserve.”

Senate Bill 1908 has been assigned to the Senate Public Health Committee.

Castro urges increased renewable energy development in Illinois

‘We don’t have time to waste’

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) held a press conference Thursday to introduce legislation to increase renewable energy development throughout Illinois.

“We don’t have time to waste,” Castro said. “We have an impending threat to our homes and lives. This measure will give our state the chance to become a leader in green energy, and I don’t want to pass that up.”

This measure seeks to promote jobs and economic opportunity to minority and disadvantaged communities and also puts goals in place for Illinois to work toward becoming 100 percent dependent on renewable energy by 2050.

“This bill is not only about making sure Illinois gets 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources,” Castro said. “It’s about making sure that 100 percent of Illinois shares in the benefits of clean energy.”

Castro: “Budget makes smart investments in education”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement in response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed budget:

“Our universities, school districts and students have suffered enough, and I’m happy to see that the governor is making this a priority in Illinois. We need to give students confidence that our state is a great place to receive their education and ensure that it is an even better place to work and live upon graduation. This is a smart investment that will have a long-term positive impact.

“I am also excited to see that the Elgin Mental Health Center will be getting the funding they deserve. This facility was the first to offer care to Illinois inmates with serious mental illnesses and with this funding it can continue towards reducing the recidivism and overall incarceration rates of mentally ill individuals.

“This budget isn’t perfect, and it will require tough decisions. This doesn’t have to be a rushed process. We have until May 31^st to negotiate a balanced budget that will move our state forward, while also not burdening the middle class.

“I look forward to having conversations with my colleagues in the legislature to negotiate a budget that brings functionality and certainty to our state.”