ELGIN – Illinois children who are qualified medical cannabis patients will now have access to their medicine on school grounds thanks to Elgin Democrat, State Senator Cristina Castro.

Castro’s bipartisan initiative creates "Ashley's Law” which allows for the administration of medical cannabis-infused products on school premises. It was signed into law Wednesday.

“Children shouldn’t have to choose between their medication and their education,” Castro said. Qualified patients have the right to have access to their medicine no matter where they are. I’m happy to see this measure signed into law.”

This measure was in response to a recent case of an 11-year-old student being denied use of medical cannabis prescribed to her to alleviate symptoms of leukemia treatment. Although she is a qualified medical cannabis patient, previous state law prohibited her use of medicinal cannabis on school grounds.

“With support from the House, Senate and governor’s office, we are grateful that Ashley’s Law will help many children dependent on medical cannabis attend school in Illinois,” Ashley’s family said. “We want to send a huge heartfelt thank you from our family to Senator Castro, Governor Rauner, Representative Lang, our attorney Steve Glink and our doctors for changing our lives. It’s a miracle.”

House Bill 4870 passed the Senate and House with unanimous support and goes into effect immediately.

ELGIN – After hearing about the accusations of abuse at a Chicago shelter housing immigrant children, Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is calling on DCFS for an investigation.

“These allegations are disgusting,” Castro said. “Not only are migrant children being ripped apart from their families, but now we hear about them being poorly treated and threatened in a place where they are supposed to be cared for.”

Children placed in Casa Guadalupe, run by Heartland Alliance, spoke to The Washington Post about the horrors they faced while away from their families. Now, after being released to their mothers, reports say these children still have altered behavior and nightmares.

“If state funds were used to support these efforts, DCFS needs to investigate,” Castro said.” I want to ensure that this behavior is stopped immediately and to know what they have done to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

SPRINGFIELD– Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is sponsoring legislation to allow students to have access to medical cannabis on school grounds.

House Bill 4870 creates "Ashley's Law,” which would allow the administration of medical cannabis infused products on school premises or on the school bus to a student who is a qualifying patient.

“Children shouldn’t have to choose between their medication and their education,” Castro said.

This measure is a result of a recent case of an 11 year old who uses medical cannabis to alleviate symptoms of her leukemia treatment. Although she is a qualified medical cannabis patient, her school is legally bound to prohibit her from administering her medicine at school under current state law.

 Currently, medical cannabis is legal in Illinois, but it is still prohibited on school property.

“We have to make sure that state law is up to date,” Castro said. “Qualified patients have the right to have access to their medicine no matter where they are.”

House Bill 4870 passed both chambers and heads to the governor’s desk for consideration.  

SPRINGFIELD– Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is pushing for stronger protections for Illinois workers.

House Bill 4572 would expand the Illinois Human Rights Act to cover employers with one or more employees. The bill would give these employees a remedy under Illinois law for work-related discrimination and retaliation.

Currently, only employers with 15 or more employees are covered under the Act.

“Expanding the Illinois Human Rights Act is the right thing to do,” Castro said. “We have to ensure that every employee in the state has the same protections when it comes to discrimination in the work place.”

Employees would be able to bring claims for discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, marital status, military status and sexual orientation.

There are currently exceptions to the Act for certain human rights claims, including sexual harassment and discrimination based on pregnancy or disability.

House Bill 4572 passed both chambers and now moves to the governor’s desk for consideration.