SPRINGFIELD – Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) attended the Senate and House Veterans Affairs Joint Committee Hearing regarding the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy. There have been over a dozen deaths caused by this disease in the past three years.

“Governor Rauner’s administration should have taken immediate action three years ago,” said Castro. “His administration not being here today for this hearing shows me they aren’t taking this seriously. If they knew this was happening, why did they just sit on the CDC’s recommendations? Why did it take so long?”

Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by bacteria found in plumbing systems. Thirteen residents at the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy have died due to this disease over the past three years.

“Pro-action, pro-action,” said Castro. “I’m tired of excuses. These are our veterans and they deserve dignity. A permanent solution needs to be found.”

ELGIN – Veterans will be able to avoid the financial inconvenience of a cell phone or cable contract cancellation under a law sponsored by state Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

The Elgin Democrat sponsored and passed House Bill 2449, allowing those in the armed forces to cancel or suspend certain contracts when they receive orders to relocate or are deployed. Businesses who don’t comply would be breaking the law under this act.

“The brave men and women serving our country shouldn’t be penalized when they have to relocate or are deployed,” Castro said. “They are putting their lives on hold to protect and defend our country. The least we can do is make sure they have an easy way out of a binding contract when circumstances arise.”

ELGIN – Legislation sponsored by Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) that goes into effect January 1st will hold motor vehicle dealers accountable and protect consumers who test drive vehicles at a dealership.

This legislation was filed in response to the death of Brendan Burke, who died in February 2010 due to an accident in a test-driven car with numerous decals and paperwork hindering his view while driving.

“It is important that we hold businesses accountable in order to protect consumers,” Castro said. “Drivers aren’t allowed to drive with materials on the windshield or windows and the rules shouldn’t be any different at a dealership.”

House Bill 733 prohibits new or used motor vehicle dealers from allowing a driver to leave the premises in a vehicle with signs, decals, or other material on the windshield. This measure also prohibits material on the windows next to each side of the driver that would obstruct the driver’s view.

Currently, drivers are not allowed to drive with materials on the windshield of a vehicle or on the windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver. Until Castro’s law, this regulation did not apply to dealerships sending cars out for test drives.

CHICAGO- The Illinois Senate Latino Caucus joins the outcry of many throughout the nation in urging congress to pass the DREAM Act before the holiday break. Advocates for immigrant rights believe that this may be the last chance for Congress to extend lawful immigration status to those brought to the United States as children.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that protected young immigrants from deportation was rescinded by the Trump administration in September, putting the futures of hundreds of thousands of people nationwide at stake. More than 40,000 Dreamers reside in Illinois.

The Senate Latino Caucus members released the following statements:

“Trump is trying to make young people, who have lived much of their lives in this country and in this state, leave a place that has become their home. Washington needs to do what is right and take action now before it is too late,” said State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).