ELGIN – Since small businesses have taken some of the heaviest financial losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is encouraging small business owners to take advantage of the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

“The Paycheck Protection was established by Congress in order to help small businesses out in situations exactly like this one,” Castro said. “If you’re a struggling business owner, it’s important to realize that there is help available to get you through this crisis, and you should make use of it.”

ELGIN – The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority announced new funding to provide grants for organizations providing support and relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is encouraging organizations to submit applications.

“Communities of color have suffered the worst from the coronavirus, not just in terms of number of cases, but also when it comes to the amount of resources available to help them recover,” Castro said. “There are many great organizations out there doing amazing work, and I would encourage them to apply for an ICJIA grant so they can keep it up.”

Calls for General Assembly to consider her legislation

ELGIN – In the height of the coronavirus pandemic and global protests against systemic racism, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) said a recent news story about the death of Sha-Asia Washington, a 26-year old Black mother who died during an emergency C-section, shows the importance of not being distracted from other crises that vulnerable communities are still facing.

“My heart goes out to Sha-Asia Washington, her now motherless daughter Khloe, their families, and to anyone else who has ever suffered the unimaginable tragedy of losing a mother due to complications from pregnancy,” Castro said. “Their tragedy is the latest in a long history of them. We must act now to fight the systemic inequalities that cause the terrible infant and maternal mortality among women of color in America.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) joined State Rep. Emmanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside) to announce a new measure that would require financial institutions that want to conduct business with Illinois state government to have a minimum of 20% of their boards be people of color.

House Bill 5806 would only affect financial institutions that want to be able to receive state dollars. It ensures that the money that Illinois invests only goes to institutions that have boards that reflect the state’s diversity.