Homeowner’s insurance reform backed by Castro

 SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Cristina Castro supported legislation designed to protect homeowners from excessive insurance rate increases and would ensure Illinois residents are not at the mercy of insurance companies.

"This measure would protect residents by placing accountability and responsibility squarely on the shoulders of insurance companies," said Castro (D-Elgin). "Homeowners would not be caught off guard by surprise rates or renewals and could be protected under the law from negligent insurance practices.”

The legislation would establish clear rules for homeowners insurance, such as:

• No surprise renewals: Companies would be required to give at least 60 days’ notice before nonrenewal and at least 60 days’ notice for premium increases over 10% or changes in coverage or deductibles.
• Use of Illinois-specific data: Insurers would need to use credible state-specific loss experience when setting rates.
• Fair, reasonable and transparent rates: Rates would need to be actuarially sound and not excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory.
• Accountability and enforcement: The Department of Insurance would be able to review filings, issue orders and require rebates when rates are found unfair.

The legislation would apply specifically to fire and extended coverage insurance for residential owner occupied properties, while excluding commercial, rental and unoccupied properties.

Castro highlighted the legislation would give Illinois residents equal footing.

"Reducing people who have suffered losses to limited and cherry-picked data is simply unjust,” said Castro. “This legislation would give homeowners a fair shake, with complete and impartial data to serve customers well when making their claims."

House Bill 3799 passed the Senate on Thursday.

Proyecto de ley respaldado por Castro protege a trabajadores de represalias injustas

 SPRINGFIELD — La senadora estatal Cristina Castro apoyó una ley para proteger los derechos de los trabajadores inmigrantes. La medida es una respuesta a la creciente preocupación por las medidas federales contra la inmigración que han afectado a los residentes de Illinois en los últimos meses.

"El empleo es el sustento de todos," afirmó Castro (D-Elgin). "Estamos tomando medidas efectivas para garantizar que nuestros residentes trabajadores no tengan que mirar por encima del hombro en un lugar seguro como su trabajo."

El año pasado, la senadora Castro respaldó una ley que exigía a los empleadores dar tiempo a sus trabajadores para corregir las discrepancias en la documentación y prohibía a los empleadores tomar medidas adversas contra un empleado debido a una discrepancia. El proyecto de ley 2339 del Senado garantizaría la protección de los derechos de los empleados si un empleador ha recibido una notificación de discrepancias en la documentación, incluido el derecho a no sufrir medidas adversas únicamente por haber recibido una notificación de discrepancia de una entidad federal. También establecería un procedimiento para resolver las violaciones de estas protecciones y crearía una vía para que el empleado emprendiera acciones legales contra el empleador en caso de que se violaran estos derechos.

Además, la medida permitiría a los abogados, representantes sindicales y personas similares actuar como representantes autorizados del empleado y exigiría a los empleadores que proporcionaran una explicación del derecho del empleado a contar con representación legal presente durante cualquier reunión entre el empleado y el empleador en las notificaciones enviadas entre ellos.

"Al tomar medidas para proteger a los residentes de represalias injustas en el trabajo, estamos actuando como estado para proporcionar lugares de trabajo más seguros para todos," afirmó Castro. "Estos cambios mejorarán la protección de nuestros trabajadores inmigrantes y evitarán que los empleadores se aprovechen de ellos mientras siguen siendo vulnerables por algo tan simple como un error burocrático."

El proyecto de ley 2339 del Senado fue enviado al gobernador el jueves.

Castro-backed bill would protect state budget from federal cuts

 SPRINGFIELD — With rising threats to state funding for vital programs from the federal administration, State Senator Cristina Castro backed a measure that would safeguard the state’s budget and ensure that communities continue to receive funding for economic development projects in the face of economic uncertainty.

“Working families shouldn’t have to pay the price for this administration’s recklessness,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “The threats to funding for our safety net programs requires us to step up to the plate to fill the void.”

The federal administration's budget cuts threaten to create a $267 million shortfall in Illinois' Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Senate Bill 1911 would recover nearly $250 million of that lost revenue by strategically decoupling from federal tax policy changes that benefit large corporations at the expense of working families and update definitions to align with federal law.

Additionally, the measure calls for sales tax and revenue bonds – or STAR bonds – to be permitted for use within local municipalities. The STAR bonds initiative helps finance the construction of local retail, tourism and entertainment projects. This would empower local municipalities with additional revenue, helping them attract visitors, draw in investments and create more jobs.

“Responsibility means stepping up to keep dollars in our local economies, where they fuel job growth and support our communities,” said Castro. “Access to revenue during these trying times will protect Illinois businesses owners and families alike.”

Senate Bill 1911 passed the Senate on Friday and on its way to the governor for final approval.

Castro-supported bill protects workers from unfair retaliation

 SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Cristina Castro supported legislation aimed at preserving immigrant workers’ rights. The measure comes in response to growing concerns regarding federal immigration crackdown of Illinois residents over the last few months.

“Jobs are lifelines for everyone,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “We are taking effective steps, ensuring our hard-working residents don’t have to look over their shoulder at a safe place such as their work.”

Last year, Senator Castro backed legislation that required employers to give their workers time to correct documentation discrepancies and barred employers from taking any adverse action against an employee because of a discrepancy. Senate Bill 2339, would ensure employees’ rights are protected if an employer has received notice of document discrepancies, including the right to be free from adverse action solely because of a receipt of a discrepancy notice from a federal entity. It also would establish a procedure to resolve violations of these protections and would create a pathway for the employee to take legal action against the employer should these rights be violated.

Additionally, the measure would enable attorneys, union representatives, and similar individuals to act as an employee’s authorized representative and require employers to provide an explanation of the employee's right to have legal representation present during any meetings between the employee and the employer in notices sent between them.

“By taking steps to protect residents from unfair retaliation on the job, we are taking action as a state to provide safer workplaces for everyone,” said Castro. “These changes will enhance the protection of our immigrant workers and prevent employers from taking advantage while those workers remain vulnerable from something as simple as a bureaucratic error.”

Senate Bill 2339 was sent to the Governor on Thursday.