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State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement Tuesday in response to federal immigration enforcement actions in Elgin this week:

“This morning, Elgin families who were commuting to work and school were met with aggressive immigration action by masked federal agents in unmarked vehicles. This action is meant to intimidate our community — sending a clear message on the morning of Mexican Independence Day that this administration is insistent on dividing a community that is united behind protecting all of its residents.

“This deliberate fearmongering is not welcome in Elgin or anywhere in Illinois. I reject federal intrusions that continue to instill fear in the lives of my constituents — families who are active, contributing and law-abiding members of our communities.

“Every person in our state, regardless of documentation status, has fundamental rights and is entitled to due process. My staff and I, along with local organizations and civil and immigrant rights groups, stand ready to support and defend our residents. We strongly encourage residents to take precautions, know your rights and exercise them, and share this information with one another.”

If you or a loved one has been impacted by federal agency enforcement actions, please review the resources below:

• Create a Family Safety Plan: Make sure your family has an emergency plan, and print out the “Know Your Rights” card. You can find bilingual templates for these resources at org/resourcehub#KYR
• Contact the ICIRR Family Support Network: Visit icirr.org/fsn or call the Family Support Hotline: 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693)
  Languages available: English, Spanish, Korean, Polish

To give residents an opportunity to safely dispose of sensitive documents and protect their identities, State Senator Cristina Castro is hosting a free shred event Saturday, Sept. 27.

“Secure shredding is a great way to make sure your personal information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “I encourage residents to take this opportunity to declutter, shred outdated documents and keep their identities safe.”

Residents are invited to bring personal documents for shredding on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9-11 a.m. at Carpenter Park, located at 275 Maple Ave. Confidential or sensitive documents that can be shredded on site include things like bank statements, canceled checks, outdated medical records, paid bills and junk mail. Only paper will be accepted for shredding – no electronics, cardboard, plastic or other materials.

SPRINGFIELD — As the federal government takes steps to dismantle agencies and lay off qualified public servants who administer key programs serving millions of Americans, State Senator Cristina Castro ushered in a new law protecting state-administered federal programs from future interference.

“The days of politically-motivated hiring and partisan handouts of government jobs are over — and this law makes certain it stays that way,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Essential programs like Medicaid and SNAP are successful because the employees who administer them are hired based on merit, not their loyalty to the president.”

State Senator Cristina Castro announced five local school districts across the Northwest Suburbs will receive more than $7.8 million in evidence-based funding this year, in addition to the base funding that the state provides.

“Students deserve a learning environment that not only meets their needs, but challenges them to think critically and sets them up for lifelong success,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “The evidence-based model continues to equip our schools and teachers with the resources they need to deliver a high-quality education for all students in Illinois.”