Castro package to improve equity in procurement, state contracts clears Senate

• Procurement
• 103rd General Assembly
• House Bill 2878

State Senator Cristina Castro advanced a legislative package from the Senate to help improve the procurement process in state contracts and provide pivotal economic opportunities and flexibilities to minority-owned businesses, universities, subcontractors, local governments and more.

“While minority- and women-owned businesses continue to face barriers to conducting business with the state, the demand for infrastructure and energy projects continues to boom, creating many more opportunities. This measure will make sure these critical economic opportunities are extended to those who have historically been shut out of the commerce process,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Through these changes, we continue our work to cut red tape and make Illinois’ business environment more equitable and efficient.”

The measure makes a number of changes to improve state contracts for veterans, women, people with disabilities and minorities, streamline the procurement process, and allow additional flexibility for universities, small businesses and contractors.

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Castro issues statement on reappointment of Legislative Inspector General

• Ethics

Following the reappointment of the Legislative Inspector General Thursday, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) issued the following statement:

“Today, I stood with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to pass House Joint Resolution 35 reappointing the Hon. Michael P. McCuskey as Legislative Inspector General. The bipartisan show of support for Judge McCuskey and his distinguished career reaffirms our commitment to ensuring ethics are upheld to the highest extent under the dome.

“The people of Illinois need to know we take the responsibility to hold ourselves accountable seriously. I’m glad that Judge McCuskey has upheld his duties over the last year, and am confident that he will continue exercising strong oversight over the General Assembly.

“I’m grateful for my colleagues’ support of this reappointment. I look forward to the continuing diligence and impartial oversight that make him the right person to continue serving as LIG.”

Castro passes bill to create transparency in vision care plans

State Senator Cristina Castro is spearheading a measure that would cut down on referrals to out-of-network providers and give vision care patients more freedom and flexibility to choose where to receive vision care services.

“I have heard time and again the hoops people have to jump through to get affordable vision care and eyeglasses,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Removing barriers and increasing transparency for vision care patients will help make sure that they can access in-network providers without being charged extraneous fees set by their vision plan.”

Senate Bill 764 would prohibit vision care plans from requiring a vision care provider to, as a condition of their participation, provide services at a fee set by the vision care plan, unless the services are in-network and covered under the plan. The bill also requires vision care providers to disclose any business interests they have with an out-of-network source or supplier they recommended to a patient. Upon the patient’s request, vision care providers would be required to offer in-network sources instead.

A 2017 study published in the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that vision impairments, loss or blindness can cost a person an average of $16,838 annually. That total does not include routine vision and eye care exams or care for a condition that is not associated with vision loss.

Senate Bill 764 passed the Senate Thursday.

Castro passes measure to ensure a living wage for employees working on solar projects

• Labor
• CEJA
• 103rd General Assembly
• House Bill 3351

State Senator Cristina Castro advanced a measure through the Senate that would expand prevailing wage requirements to include public works solar projects.

“The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and Future Energy Jobs Act gave Illinois the chance to become a leader in green energy, and we are seeing renewable developers step up to make that happen,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “It is critical to ensure workers at these important projects are paid fairly as they work to build a more reliable future for our children and grandchildren.”

House Bill 3351 requires applicants to the Illinois Solar for All program that apply after the effective date of this Act to pay the prevailing wage on projects that receive renewable energy credits. The bill would provide exemptions for residential buildings and small projects on houses of worship.

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