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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement in response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed budget:

“Our universities, school districts and students have suffered enough, and I’m happy to see that the governor is making this a priority in Illinois. We need to give students confidence that our state is a great place to receive their education and ensure that it is an even better place to work and live upon graduation. This is a smart investment that will have a long-term positive impact.

“I am also excited to see that the Elgin Mental Health Center will be getting the funding they deserve. This facility was the first to offer care to Illinois inmates with serious mental illnesses and with this funding it can continue towards reducing the recidivism and overall incarceration rates of mentally ill individuals.

“This budget isn’t perfect, and it will require tough decisions. This doesn’t have to be a rushed process. We have until May 31^st to negotiate a balanced budget that will move our state forward, while also not burdening the middle class.

“I look forward to having conversations with my colleagues in the legislature to negotiate a budget that brings functionality and certainty to our state.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) voted Wednesday to hit the reset button on the Illinois Toll Highway Authority Board and give the next governor the chance to increase transparency and ethics.  

“The hiring and spending at the tollway has been disturbing. It was time to fumigate the board and start over,” Castro said.

Multiple investigations done by the Daily Herald found that there was likely unethical behavior going on within the Illinois Toll Highway Authority involving political favoritism regarding its hiring practices and contracts.

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement regarding the unanimous decision by the Legislative Ethics Commission to appoint Carol Pope as the legislative inspector general:

“I am confident that Judge Pope will fulfill her duties and meet our expectations as the legislative inspector general. She will bring her experience and knowledge to our commission and help us move forward and become stronger.”

Castro, who was appointed to the Legislative Ethics Commission in November 2017, commended current Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter for the work she’s done.

“Julie Porter has done a fantastic job and has helped us greatly in getting this commission’s feet off the ground. I want to thank her for her competence and determination thus far serving as our current legislative inspector general.

“I believe that with the help of Judge Pope, we will ensure that we hold people accountable when they need to be and protect those who need it.”

Pope’s appointment will go into effect March 1, 2019, and will serve through June 30, 2023.

Porter will continue to serve in that capacity until Feb. 28, 2019.