Castro hosting free flu shot events this October
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To help reduce the spread of influenza this fall and winter, State Senator Cristina Castro is encouraging residents to protect themselves by getting their annual flu shot at an upcoming event this month.
“An annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to keep yourself and others healthy this winter,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Our community flu shot clinics will give residents of the 22nd District the opportunity to safely and conveniently protect themselves from the flu this winter.”
Castro has partnered with Ascension Health to offer free flu shots Saturday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Elgin Room at Gail Borden Library, located at 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin. Flu shots will also be offered at a second event on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hanover Township Senior Center, located at 240 Illinois Route 59 in Bartlett.
Flu shots at both events will be available for adults 18 and older. For more information, contact Castro’s office at 847-214-8864 or online.
Castro applauds funding for local literacy programs
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Two local organizations are set to receive over $230,000 in combined literacy grants to grow and enhance their programs, thanks to support from State Senator Cristina Castro.
“Community-based literacy programs provide a safe and enriching opportunity for residents to improve their skills alongside their children,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This funding will build on our work in Illinois to promote literacy, expand access to adult education and strengthen opportunities for lifelong, family-centered learning.”
The latest round of funding from Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias includes nearly $22 million for library services and $6 million to support literacy programs throughout the state.
Castro announces local schools set to receive over $26 million
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State Senator Cristina Castro announced five school districts across Cook and Kane counties will receive over $26 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.
“One of the top issues I hear about from suburban families is property taxes,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “That’s why it’s so critical the state keeps good on our promise to continue investing in fully funding our public schools. It’s one of the best ways we can ensure student success without unfairly burdening our local governments and taxpayers.”
The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education students or English language learners, among other factors.
Castro law boosts Illinois businesses, improves efficiency in state contracting
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SPRINGFIELD — Easier and more efficient ways for Illinois businesses and diverse contractors to do business with the state are coming soon, thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro.
“Navigating the procurement process can be a daunting task for small firms. These are the businesses we should be lifting up – not making their jobs more difficult,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Improving efficiency in government contracting not only helps minority-owned businesses get their foot in the door, but also promotes competition and allows state dollars to go further in supporting these projects.”
To eliminate long-standing obstacles and increase diversity in state contracting, the law – previously House Bill 5511 – takes steps to modernize the procurement process, improve transparency, encourage responsible competition and safeguard taxpayer dollars in infrastructure projects.
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