SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) passed a new law to put an end to the demand for pets from inhumane breeding operations by requiring pet stores to source their animals from rescue shelters.

“This law is an important step to making sure animals in our state are treated compassionately from when their bred onwards, and I am ready to keep working to rid Illinois of puppy mills entirely,” Castro said.  “Reducing the demand for cheap, inhumanely bred puppies by prohibiting pet shops from getting puppies from these kinds of operations was a top priority as we continue our work.”

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) spearheaded a new law to ensure people who utilize household devices like Amazon Alexas and Ring doorbells are protected from having private information seized without a warrant.

“Household devices are convenient, but they also can store a lot of data that we don’t always realize,” Castro said. “The legislation being signed today will lay out clear guidelines for when private information can be acquired by law enforcement.”

ELGIN – Thanks to over $400,000 in grant money from the secretary of state, patrons of three local libraries will see upgrades to services, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) announced Thursday.

“From recreational activities to vital educational and vocational tools, libraries have something to offer everyone,” Castro said. “Libraries are the backbone of our communities, and these grants will ensure they have even more resources to give back to the residents who rely on them.”

CARPENTERSVILLE – Elgin-area residents will have the opportunity to securely shred personal documents next month thanks to an event sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin).

“Fraud and identity theft have been on the rise, so events like this are a great way to make sure your personal information is safely disposed,” Castro said. “I encourage folks to come out Sept. 25 to declutter your filing cabinets and keep your identity safe.”

In 2020, there were 4.8 million cases of identity theft and fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission. The Better Business Bureau recommends shredding outdated documents like bank statements, medical bills, and pay stubs to ensure that sensitive information does not fall into the wrong hands.

Residents will have the opportunity to safely get rid of documents at the shred day event at the Dundee Township Park District Adult Activity Center located at 665 Barrington Avenue, Carpentersville from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25. The shred day is a joint effort between Castro, State Rep. Anna Moeller (D- Elgin), and KCT Credit Union.

“Document destruction is important for a variety of reasons, but none more important than the prevention of identity theft,” said Yvonne Irving, who serves as Vice President of Business and Community Outreach at KCT Credit Union. “Protect your privacy, reduce the threat of possible identity theft and fight fraud by properly disposing of sensitive documents.”

Learn more and get the latest updates on the event’s Facebook page.