SPRINGFIELD – A landmark plan to protect pregnant mothers by setting standards for the qualifications and education of midwives in Illinois sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) passed the Senate Wednesday.

“Midwives play a huge role in many women’s pregnancies, from providing care and guidance before pregnancy all the way to postpartum care,” Castro said. “Making sure these health care providers have proper education and training will ensure that women are in the best hands at a vital time in their and their babies’ lives.”

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ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) is urging local businesses to submit their applications for the Back to Business grant program before the upcoming Oct. 13 deadline.

“It’s no secret that our small businesses have been hit hard during this pandemic,” Castro said. “For some businesses, the Back to Business grants could mean the difference between staying open or closing for good.”

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CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), a member of the Illinois Future of Work Task Force, is looking forward to addressing and confronting workforce challenges facing Illinois. The bipartisan task force held their first meeting this week.

“We are still living in an unprecedented time, and we see the effects of the pandemic still hurting our workforce,” Castro said. “This diverse task force will help lawmakers and stakeholders develop a plan to tackle challenges head on.”

The task force, which was established this year under the Illinois Future of Work Act, is made up of 26 members, including lawmakers, employers, representatives from the labor movement and more.  Following a series of meetings throughout the coming months, the task force will present a report of its findings to the governor and General Assembly next spring.  

Castro was appointed to the task force by Senate President Don Harmon on Sept. 3.

The task force meetings will cover topics including:

• Overview: The present and future state of work in Illinois
• Creating jobs that sustain and uplift
• New technologies and challenges reshaping work
• Education, skills and barriers
• Labor benefits, protections and standards enforcement
• Transportation, logistics, green Jobs

“Between the pandemic, new energy law and ongoing technological advancements, there is a shift occurring when it comes to labor and the workforce in Illinois and throughout the nation,” Castro said. “This task force couldn’t come at a more opportune time, and I’m excited to get the work started.”

Meetings are open to the public at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website at www.bit.ly/ILFUTUREOFWORK.