Castro announces new funding for Elgin school libraries

ELGIN – Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) announced today that Elgin Area School District U46 will receive more than $28,000 through the Secretary of State’s School Library Grant program.

The School District Library Grant Program is designed to provide new and updated books and materials for public schools in Illinois.

“I am happy that Elgin’s school library will benefit from the library grant,” said Castro. “The grant will guarantee that the children will have updated materials at their fingertips.”

Castro on Legionnaires’ disease outbreak: “Our veterans have fought to protect us; it is time for us to protect them.”

• Legionnaires' disease
• Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) attended the Senate and House Veterans Affairs Joint Committee Hearing regarding the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy. There have been over a dozen deaths caused by this disease in the past three years.

“Governor Rauner’s administration should have taken immediate action three years ago,” said Castro. “His administration not being here today for this hearing shows me they aren’t taking this seriously. If they knew this was happening, why did they just sit on the CDC’s recommendations? Why did it take so long?”

Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by bacteria found in plumbing systems. Thirteen residents at the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy have died due to this disease over the past three years.

“Pro-action, pro-action,” said Castro. “I’m tired of excuses. These are our veterans and they deserve dignity. A permanent solution needs to be found.”

Castro’s new law will protect veterans from cancellation fees

• military
• Veterans
• Service Members

ELGIN – Veterans will be able to avoid the financial inconvenience of a cell phone or cable contract cancellation under a law sponsored by state Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

The Elgin Democrat sponsored and passed House Bill 2449, allowing those in the armed forces to cancel or suspend certain contracts when they receive orders to relocate or are deployed. Businesses who don’t comply would be breaking the law under this act.

“The brave men and women serving our country shouldn’t be penalized when they have to relocate or are deployed,” Castro said. “They are putting their lives on hold to protect and defend our country. The least we can do is make sure they have an easy way out of a binding contract when circumstances arise.”

Read more …

New Castro Law Protects Consumers Test Driving Cars

• Consumer Protection

ELGIN – Legislation sponsored by Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) that goes into effect January 1st will hold motor vehicle dealers accountable and protect consumers who test drive vehicles at a dealership.

This legislation was filed in response to the death of Brendan Burke, who died in February 2010 due to an accident in a test-driven car with numerous decals and paperwork hindering his view while driving.

“It is important that we hold businesses accountable in order to protect consumers,” Castro said. “Drivers aren’t allowed to drive with materials on the windshield or windows and the rules shouldn’t be any different at a dealership.”

House Bill 733 prohibits new or used motor vehicle dealers from allowing a driver to leave the premises in a vehicle with signs, decals, or other material on the windshield. This measure also prohibits material on the windows next to each side of the driver that would obstruct the driver’s view.

Currently, drivers are not allowed to drive with materials on the windshield of a vehicle or on the windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver. Until Castro’s law, this regulation did not apply to dealerships sending cars out for test drives.