Two local community-based organizations will receive more than $230,000 in combined literacy grants to grow and enhance their programs, thanks to support from State Senator Cristina Castro.

“The Literacy Connection and YWCA Elgin have a long history of serving and supporting the families in our community, and this investment ensures they can continue providing critical adult education and literacy programs to those who may not otherwise be able to access services,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Not only do these funds support programs and classes for adult learners, they also benefit our youngest learners by incorporating literacy education into a family-oriented model.”

Two area agencies are set to receive a total of $230,485 to enhance community and family literacy and improve access to services. The Literacy Connection in Elgin will see $130,485 in family literacy and community literacy grant funding, and YWCA Elgin will see $100,000 in family literacy grant funding that will benefit children from birth to age five.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias awarded the grants through the Adult Literacy Grant Program, which helps learners develop and enhance their reading, math, writing and English-language skills. Family literacy projects funded through the program include both adult and child literacy services, delivered in holistic and family-centered models.

More information about the Secretary of State’s Adult Literacy Program grants can be found here.

State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) issued the following statement Friday after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the assault weapons ban within the Protect Illinois Communities Act:

“Today marks a historic step in ending the continuous gun violence in our neighborhoods and across our state. With a plan in place that bans these weapons, strengthens our ‘red flag’ laws and bans rapid-fire devices, the historic provisions in the Protect Illinois Communities Act will save lives and prevent further tragedies in every corner of our state.

“Reducing the ways dangerous people can obtain automatic weapons creates safer communities. As mass shootings become more and more common, and the use of military-style weapons continues unabated, more lives will be lost without action. Today’s decision shows the rest of the nation that Illinois continues to be a model for transformative change and progress, even when it seems impossible.

“All communities deserve to feel safe in their homes, schools, places of worship and public spaces. The tragic mass shooting in Highland Park last Fourth of July only intensified the need for action. I have heard from residents across the 22^nd District – families have had enough. If the federal government won’t step up to save lives and keep violent weapons off our streets, it’s up to us to keep our communities safe.”

To read the Illinois Supreme Court’s full opinion, click here.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro that will give patients more freedom and flexibility to choose where to receive vision care services was signed into law Friday.

“This law ensures we prioritize patients and their eye doctors over insurance companies,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Empowering people with information about their vision plan and the fees and services it covers is just common sense.”

The legislation creates the Vision Care Plan Regulation Act. Under the new law, insurance companies are prohibited from changing the terms, fees or reimbursement rates of a vision care plan during the contract term unless providers and the vision care organization agree to the terms. Castro’s plan also requires vision care providers to disclose any business interests they have with an out-of-network source or supplier they recommended to a patient. Upon the patient’s request, providers must offer in-network sources instead.

A 2017 study published in the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that vision impairments, loss or blindness could cost a person an average of $16,838 annually. That total does not include routine vision and eye care exams or care for a condition that is not associated with vision loss.

“Basic vision care should not be difficult to access,” said Castro. “No one should be forced to pay more for out-of-network care when affordable, covered care is available. Under this law, people have the right to ask for in-network referrals when needed.”

Senate Bill 764 was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois students will soon have an easier time transferring across public colleges and universities without having to repeat courses they have already earned major credit for, thanks to an initiative championed by State Senator Cristina Castro that was signed into law Friday.

“The first iteration of the Illinois Articulation Initiative was a success,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Now that we have a blueprint set in place, it’s time to expand transfer equivalency to all major courses so that our students can graduate without barriers and begin a meaningful career.”

In 2016, the General Assembly passed the Illinois Articulation Initiative Act. The Act codified a longstanding statewide agreement known as the Illinois Articulation Initiative by requiring that all public institutions, both community colleges and universities, participate in IAI through submission and review of their courses for statewide transfer consistency.

Previously, general education courses were required to be transferable as a part of the General Education Core Curriculum package. However, higher education institutions had the option of accepting IAI major courses either as direct course equivalents or as elective credit. As a result, some students transferring to a public university have had to repeat courses they already completed at a community college because their university did not recognize the course as fulfilling the requirements for the major.

Castro’s law expands the Illinois Articulation Initiative by requiring public colleges and universities to accept all major courses approved for transfer as equivalent major courses, as long as that major is offered at the receiving institution. This change protects students from having to repeat courses, thereby saving them money and reducing their time to degree completion.

“The data tells us that it’s already harder for lower-income students to get a four-year degree, even when they start out at a community college,” Castro said. “Under this new law, students transferring to a four-year college will be able to do so quickly and more affordably.”

Senate Bill 2288 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.