Castro responds to Gov. Rauner’s unity speech

State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement in regards to Governor Bruce Rauner’s unity speech he delivered Tuesday evening in Springfield:

“The governor’s call for unity comes a little late. He spent the last month of the regular session filming campaign ads rather than governing. Now he has called us back to say he wants to work together? Where was he when the Senate passed a balanced budget in May? It would have been helpful to make the call for unity 20 days ago, before the May 31 deadline.”

Sen. Castro votes in favor of 2 year property tax freeze

The Illinois Senate voted to approve a two year property tax freeze on Tuesday. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement:

“I voted for this measure to bring relief to the citizens of Illinois and reduce the tax burden on the people of my district.”

Castro passes measure would help prevent auto collisions

Obstructions in car windshields of test-driven vehicles has led State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) to act on life saving legislation that would require dealerships to remove decals on vehicles before leaving the lot.

The measure, House Bill 733, arose out of a tragic situation where 22 year old Brenden Burke was victim to a preventable fatal accident.

Burke was struck and killed in 2016 after a vehicle being test-driven from a nearby car dealer turned left into Burke’s path. The driver of the other vehicle had obstructed vision because of the number of decals and paper work left on the driver side windshield by the dealership.

“The story of Brenden Burke is a tragic, yet highly preventable, one,” said Castro. “There is absolutely no reason decals and paper work should be obstructing the view of a person test-driving an unfamiliar vehicle.”

Under the legislation new or used car dealerships that fail to remove decals and paper work from the car before it drives of the lot would be fined between $50 and $500.

The legislation passed the Senate on Wednesday and now goes to the governor for approval.

Castro: it’s time to create stability and certainty for Illinoisans

Senate Democrats passed legislation Tuesday that would balance the state budget and fully fund P-12 education, higher education and human services.

State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement:

“Today, the Senate Democrats passed a plan with responsible repairs to a state budget that has been horribly neglected under Gov. Rauner. After six months of negotiation, and his inability to do the job, we took the responsibility of putting together a plan that includes cuts, reforms and revenue to bring stability and certainty to the state.

“We do not have time to wait any longer. Every day we go without a budget is another day of uncertainty for Elgin and Harper Community Colleges and the Hanover Park Education and Work Center. It is another day where students will not receive needed MAP grant funding to attend our state universities and community colleges. It means places like Ecker Center for Mental Health are suffering and being forced to discontinue vital programs.

“Lawmakers have a responsibility to the people back home and to fix this mess. Today we took the needed steps to get this done.”