SPRINGFIELD – Following the release of the second Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report by the Illinois Department of Public Health, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) has spearheaded a measure to reduce maternal mortality and support new mothers – especially Black mothers – throughout the state.

“The vast majority of postpartum deaths are preventable, so we need to be doing all we can to minimize those deaths,” said Castro, who has been an ongoing advocate for reducing postpartum morbidity. “This legislation will help all pregnant and postpartum mothers, but it will also work to reduce the racial disparities in maternal mortality.”

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To make an appointment for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Saturday, May 15, visit here: https://wagsoutreach.com/ss/GAI166772

Walk-in appointments will be available as well.

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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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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