February is Heart Health Month, and State Senator Cristina Castro is teaming up with Ascension Health and the Hanover Township Office of Community Health to celebrate by offering free heart health screenings to the community.

“By offering free, accessible heart health screenings in one place, we hope to make it easier for people to stay on top of their cardiovascular health,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “I encourage everyone who could benefit from these screenings to come out and join us this Heart Health Month.”

Castro’s annual heart health event will be held Saturday, Feb. 3 from 9-11 a.m. at the Hanover Township Senior Center, located at 240 Illinois Route 59, Bartlett. Attendees will have access to blood pressure screenings, stroke risk assessments, glucose checks and diabetes education, body composition analysis, heart health nutrition education and more. Appointments can be made online, although they are not required for participation in the event.

In an effort to lift the spirits of seniors in the 22^nd District, State Senator Cristina Castro is hosting a Valentine’s Day card drive and inviting residents of all ages to get involved and donate handmade or store-bought valentines for seniors this February.

“This is a great opportunity to show our seniors how much we value them and their contributions to our communities,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Sending a card or small note is an easy way to bring a smile to someone’s face this Valentine’s Day.”

Castro is encouraging community members in the area to write Valentine’s Day cards for local seniors – in English or Spanish – which can be dropped off or mailed to her Elgin office. Once all the cards have been collected, they will be delivered to senior facilities in the 22^nd District.

In a unanimous decision issued Friday, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of local pension fund consolidation contained in a 2019 law sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro.

“This is a victory for taxpayers and first responders across Illinois,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This consolidation is already producing positive returns, underscoring the importance of addressing our state’s most pressing financial issue.”

Castro’s law – which passed under Senate Bill 1300 – enabled downstate fire and police pension funds to be consolidated into two separate funds over a 30-month period beginning in January 2020. Since the law took effect, the Firefighters’ Pension Investment Fund has added more than $40 million in value through investment returns and seen a reduction in fees and expenses of $34 million. This has led to a reduction in statutory minimum contributions, saving money for local governments and taxpayers.

WASHINGTON, DC – Future Caucus announced Wednesday that State Senator Cristina Castro was selected to be a member of the inaugural class of Innovation Fellows, taking part in the nationwide fellowship for Gen Z and millennial state legislators.

“Bringing together the next generation of leaders to learn from each other, develop effective governing skills, advance legislation and overcome partisan divisions is what strengthening our democracy is about,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “I’m excited to get to work solving some of the most pressing issues of our time with a diverse cohort of legislators from across the nation.”

Rooted in the understanding that polarization presents new and unique obstacles to modern policymaking, the Innovation Fellowship cultivates the next generation of national leaders with the skills to build bipartisan coalitions and pass effective legislation. Through hands-on research, interactive workshops, expert mentorship and real-world application, the group of lawmakers will enhance their ability to craft durable policy solutions that adapt to ever-changing realities.