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.”