State Senator Cristina Castro secured more than $28,000 in grant funding to provide resources for public school libraries across the 22^nd District.

“Creative, innovative and collaborative library programs help bring stories to life and meaning to our students’ education,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Additional funding will strengthen these essential avenues to learning and equip U-46’s school libraries with the resources our students need to be successful in the 21^st century.”

More than $1.3 million was awarded to 2,484 Illinois public school libraries through the Secretary of State’s School District Library Grant Program. Resources and services supported through the grant include library books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs. In the district Castro represents, School District U-46 received a total of $28,979 to support over 40 school libraries.

Terminally ill adults are one step closer to having access to more end-of-life options in Illinois after a measure supported by State Senator Cristina Castro passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

“At the end of our lives, all of us want options,” said Castro (D-Elgin), a co-sponsor of the legislation. “Medical aid in dying has been implemented in other states like Oregon for over 30 years. Armed with this data and after hearing from family members and terminally ill residents with firsthand experience, I believe expanding this access in Illinois would align with our goals of making sure patients have every safe option available to them.”

Teenagers who spend five or more hours per day on electronic devices are 71% more likely to demonstrate risk factors for suicide — an alarming phenomenon State Senator Cristina Castro is determined to change.

“My legislation takes social media out of the classroom so students can focus on what’s important: learning,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This measure sets a standard to limit cellphone use during class time but prioritizes flexibility, letting schools take the lead in deciding how it should be implemented in their local community.”

Studies have shown that the mere presence of a smartphone reduces available cognitive capacity — especially for young people who are highly dependent on the devices. Research from over 70 countries and regions with strict school cellphone policies has found that the restrictions resulted in decreased instances of bullying, better attention and focus, and increases in standardized test scores.

State Senator Cristina Castro advanced a plan to give more transparency in firefighter death records.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to partner with firefighters across Illinois on legislation that would improve our service to first responders,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “We owe it to the firefighters who gave their lives in service to their communities.”

Nearly 2,000 firefighters have died in the line of duty over the past 20 years, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. In addition to injuries and deaths that occur in the line of duty, firefighters are at a higher risk of cancer and other illnesses – highlighting the need for state-level data to guide interventions that protect their health and safety.