ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro urges area residents to show appreciation to emergency personnel on First Responders Day, which falls on Friday, Oct. 28.

"Today we commemorate our state’s brave first responders,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Although it is crucial to recognize and honor their commitment every day, First Responders Day is dedicated as a small way to bring attention to and celebrate the courage and strength of these extraordinary heroes in our communities.”

First Responders Day is dedicated to remembering the first responders lost and honors 911 dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics for their continuous commitment to Illinois public safety.

Castro reminds residents to extend gratitude to all first responders year-round for their dedication and to honor those lost in the line of duty.

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to serve and protect,” said Castro. “To all first responders who sacrifice so much for the safety of our friends, families and communities – thank you.”

Castro urges residents to recognize the contributions of first responders in their communities with appreciation, ceremonies and activities.

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ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro is encouraging homeowners who had trouble making mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of an upcoming mortgage assistance program that will open for applications on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

“This program will provide crucial security to homeowners in Illinois who have struggled during the pandemic,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Families should not face foreclosure and homelessness due to their inability to make all mortgage payments in full while a global pandemic was devastating the economy and our communities.”

The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund, administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, will provide up to $60,000 in mortgage assistance to eligible homeowners — paid directly to the servicer, taxing body or other approved entity — while homeowners work to regain their financial footing. Whether homeowners have a mortgage, a reverse mortgage, or are mortgage-free, the program can fund past due housing payments and up to three months of prospective mortgage payments.

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ELGIN – As college application season kicks off, State Senator Cristina Castro is encouraging students and their families to take advantage of several state and federal relief opportunities related to financial aid, student loans and college affordability.

“Students and their families deserve to be informed and given resources to make higher education as accessible as possible,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “As the cost of college continues to rise, I am hopeful this relief will support students facing economic hardship and those with limited access to resources.”

Under the federal plan for one-time student loan forgiveness announced recently by the president, students who received Federal Pell Grants can have up to $20,000 in debt forgiven and students with non-Pell Grant loans can have up to $10,000 in debt forgiven if their individual income is less than $125,000. The application is available at studentaid.gov and must be completed by Dec. 31, 2023.

ELGIN – To highlight the ongoing success of community and financial organization partnerships, State Senator Cristina Castro is encouraging credit unions, community organizations, service groups and other financial institutions committed to improving the financial stability of Illinois residents to join the Bank On Illinois coalition.

“Middle class families in Illinois have suffered from the ill effects of crippling bank fees for long enough,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “I’m proud to have sponsored and fought for the passage of legislation that gives working families in Illinois some peace of mind, and I’m glad to see it working to financially empower residents across our state.”

The Bank On Illinois initiative, passed in 2019, established a commission to monitor banking practices across the state to ensure that people in Illinois have access to bank accounts that offer fair financial service options, including no maintenance fees, low or no minimum deposit requirements, low or no overdraft fees, and methods to open accounts using forms of identification other than the traditional driver’s license or state ID card.