Castro statement on Supreme Court blocking student debt forgiveness

• Higher Education

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) issued the following statement Friday after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan:

“This week, the Supreme Court set higher education back and created a host of new barriers students will face for years to come. The administration’s forgiveness plan would have provided critical relief to millions of students who are saddled with debt from student loans as soon as they leave college.

“Students and their families deserve resources and help to make higher education as accessible as possible. This decision will hurt primarily first-generation students and those facing economic hardship as the cost of college continues to rise. On top of the court’s rulings eliminating affirmative action and overturning anti-discrimination laws across our country, the blocking of much-needed debt relief is an affront to the next generation and everything young people are doing to establish their careers and better themselves and their communities.

“In Illinois, we have taken strides toward creating a system that works for all, including the record funding we are investing in the Monetary Award Program to support students with financial needs in this year’s budget. We will continue fighting for working families and students because we know that all students – no matter their background, ZIP code or income – deserve access to an affordable, quality education.”

New Castro law requires fair wages for solar project workers

• Labor
• 103rd General Assembly
• HB 3351

SPRINGFIELD – Employees working on solar projects that receive renewable energy credits from the state of Illinois will be paid the prevailing wage under a new law spearheaded by State Senator Cristina Castro.

“During my time in the Senate, I have been an outspoken advocate for fair wages and wage equality in Illinois,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Supporting fair wages for employees working on solar projects ensures workers – not just developers – benefit from clean energy incentives and opportunities.”

Under the new law, developers who apply to the Illinois Solar for All program are required to pay the prevailing wage on solar projects that receive renewable energy credits. The law provides exemptions for residential buildings and small projects on houses of worship.

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Castro issues statement on U.S. Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision

• Higher Education

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court limited how universities may consider race in admissions decisions:

“Today’s decision will undoubtedly roll back protections for minority students at higher educational institutions that they have historically been excluded from. Black and Latino students have faced such steep barriers in pursuing these opportunities that their undergraduate enrollment rates have dropped significantly between 2013 and 2019. It is in moments like this that we truly see the impact elections have on our nation’s judicial system – a court that has twice upheld affirmative action has now reversed that decision because of a handful of conservative appointees.

“I am encouraged by the commitment to equity and inclusion from the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and I will continue fighting to make sure students from all backgrounds have equitable access to higher education in Illinois.”

Castro: Sign up for health care coverage, regardless of your immigration status

• Health Care

ELGIN – To prevent eligible Illinois residents from missing health care coverage, State Senator Cristina Castro is reminding noncitizen adults who are uninsured or underinsured to sign up now. This comes in response to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ announcement that new enrollment in the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program will be paused July 1.

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