Illinois State Senator Cristina Castro

Castro invites residents to shred event and food donation drive June 14

Details: Category: News; Friday, June 06, 2025 09:32 AM

State Senator Cristina Castro is partnering with State Representative Anna Moeller, KCT Credit Union and Gail Borden Public Library to host a free community shred day in Elgin on Saturday, June 14.

Personal documents for shredding will be accepted at Gail Borden Library’s main branch at 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin on June 14 from 9-11 a.m. or until the truck is full. Attendees will be able to freely and securely dispose of any confidential or personal documents, such as bank statements, canceled checks, outdated medical records, paid bills, receipts and junk mail. Only paper materials will be accepted for shredding.

The event will also serve as a donation drive to collect food and toiletry items for the Community Crisis Center, which supports local families impacted by domestic violence. Items most in need include personal hygiene products, dental care products, diapers and wipes, baby food, formula, breakfast items including cereal and oatmeal, and canned foods. Click here for a longer list of needed items.

For more information, contact Senator Castro’s office at 847-214-8864 or online.

Castro: Budget meets the moment, uplifts students and working families

Details: Category: News; Saturday, May 31, 2025 11:29 PM

After the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget Saturday, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement:

“In Illinois, we invest in what lifts families up — good schools, job opportunities, housing, financial aid for college students and more. As a proud community college graduate and first in my family to earn a master’s degree, I know the value of investing in the higher education hubs that fuel our economy and help residents thrive.

“Our budget increases funding for universities and invests an additional $10 million in need-based financial aid through the Monetary Award Program. Together, these will help our college systems better serve and attract students while easing the burden on families across the Northwest Suburbs who are saving for their child’s future by making college more affordable.

Castro leads dual credit expansion plan

Details: Category: News; Thursday, May 29, 2025 07:51 PM

State Senator Cristina Castro is moving forward with a plan to expand high-quality dual credit options that will save Illinois students time and money toward their degree while they earn college credit.

“Finishing high school with college credits already completed can open the doors to a meaningful higher education experience,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “By enhancing the dual credit network across Illinois’ 48 community colleges, we are putting more students – not just those who can afford college tuition – on a fast track to success.”

Dual credit instruction makes higher education more attainable, especially for first-generation and lower-income students, by offering high school students the opportunity to earn both college and high school credit through a single course. Students who earn dual credit in high school complete their college and university degrees at higher rates and are often able to save money as a result of having fewer college credits to pay tuition for.

Castro secures $4.5 million for infrastructure projects in Elgin, Streamwood

Details: Category: News; Tuesday, May 27, 2025 09:09 AM

Thanks to State Senator Cristina Castro’s advocacy efforts, Elgin and Streamwood are set to receive over $4.5 million in combined grants to fund infrastructure projects that enhance mobility across the 22^nd District. The grants were awarded under the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“Dollars we continue to put toward Illinois’ infrastructure are revitalizing aging roads and bridges, creating jobs and growing the economy by increasing mobility across the Northwest Suburbs,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Getting much-needed improvement projects over the finish line is a win and will benefit our communities for years to come.”

Castro secured $3 million for the construction of a new Fox River Bike Trail underpass as part of Elgin’s Kimball Street Bridge project. Once completed, the bridge’s underpass will enhance accessibility and usability of the Fox River Trail. Currently, cyclists have to exit the trail, cross the river at Kimball Street and North Grove Avenue, and then reenter the trail.

Welcome

Dear Friends,

Thank you for visiting my legislative website. It is my honor to serve the citizens of the 22^nd Senate District in the Illinois General Assembly. On this website, you can learn a little bit about me, my record in the General Assembly and the services I can provide you.

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