ELGIN – Building upon the smart infrastructure investments supported by Senator Cristina Castro, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced an investment of more than $21 million in state and local road and bridge improvement projects.

“Illinois continues to make critical upgrades to our infrastructure, ensuring the safety of residents for years to come,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “These projects will not only improve commutes and increase safety along these routes, they will also create new jobs that contribute to our communities’ recovery.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, the district Castro represents will see 23 infrastructure projects totaling more than $184 million over the next six years.

Some of the most vital projects coming to the area include:

• Replacing the bridge and interchange on Route 20 at IL-31 and along the Route 25 exchange
• Pavement maintenance and rehabilitation along IL-25 (Dundee Ave) between IL-72 and I-90
• Pavement preservation on Route 20 in Hanover Park, from Park Avenue to SE of North Avenue

These projects are part of IDOT’s multi-year plan, a $34.6 billion investment in construction projects across the state for the next six fiscal years.

The $34.6 billion will go to highway reconstruction and preservation, bridge improvements, strategic expansion, system support such as engineering and land acquisition, and safety and system modernizations. Over six years, the funding will be dispersed to improve more than 2,500 miles of roads and nearly 10 million square feet of bridges.

“From job creation to improved mobility, I am pleased to see this sizeable investment help grow and sustain our local economies,” Castro said. “These projects will help modernize our transportation infrastructure and equip our communities for the future.”

To find a full list of projects slated for the 22nd Senate District, please visit IDOT’s website.

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is partnering with other local elected officials to host a free community shred day in Streamwood on Saturday, Aug. 20 that will help residents securely dispose of documents that contain personal and sensitive information.

Shredding trucks will be available at the Hoosier Grove Barn, located at 700 W. Irving Park Rd. in Streamwood, from 9 a.m. – noon or until the trucks are full. Attendees will be able to safely destroy any confidential or vulnerable records, such as bank statements, canceled checks, outdated medical records, paid bills, receipts and junk mail.

“Destroying documents that contain personal information helps protect against fraud and identity theft,” said Castro. “This event is a safe and convenient way to do just that. I hope residents will leave feeling secure knowing that their sensitive information is better protected.”

Sen. Castro will be joined by State Representative Fred Crespo, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, the Streamwood Park District and the Hanover Park Community Bank.

Sen. Castro’s office will also be collecting goods for the Astor Food Pantry in Hanover Park. Items that are most needed include: canned ravioli, canned chicken, jarred pasta sauce, coffee, mayonnaise, toilet paper, ketchup and mustard, pickles, ramen soup, paper towels, and toothpaste. See the attached flyer for a full list of items needed by the pantry.

For more information, contact Sen. Castro’s office at 847-214-8864 or online at www.SenatorCristinaCastro.com.

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro recently announced that, thanks to funds distributed by the Illinois State Board of Education, School District U-46 will be receiving $50,000 for infrastructure improvements.

“Ensuring the buildings and maintenance projects in our schools are kept up with is critical for keeping our kids safe, healthy and productive in the classroom,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This investment in U-46 will allow the district to fund projects and give students the learning environment they deserve.”

A total of $30 million in 2022 School Maintenance Grants was distributed to districts across the state. To be eligible for the grants, applicants were required to match the state funds and commit to completing proposed projects within two years.

Projects made possible thanks to these grants include updates to heating and cooling, improvements to ventilation, increased accessibility throughout buildings and more.

“Studies show that high-quality facilities lead to better educational outcomes, and the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the importance of well-ventilated, accessible spaces,” said Castro. “These grants will better the lives of students in our community and across the state.”

A full list of grantees and awards can be viewed on the ISBE website.

ELGIN – To kick off Parks and Recreation Month, State Senator Cristina Castro announced funding for investments in four local parks and forest preserves in Cook and Kane Counties.

“Spending time outdoors has many benefits, from encouraging people to be physically active to improving cognitive function and memory,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “By making critical improvements to our local parks and outdoor spaces, we are prioritizing the overall well-being of our residents.”

Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program grants are administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and support local park projects. When combined with local matching funds, the latest OSLAD grants provide more than $56 million in local park development projects and land acquisitions statewide.

Projects receiving funds in the area Castro represents include:

• Hanover Park District, Community Park – $319,700
• Hoffman Estates Park District, Beacon Point – $180,000
• City of Elgin, Millennium Park – $338,100
• Kane County Forest Preserve District, Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve – $400,000

 “I’m excited to see what improvements are made to these spaces, and the jobs these projects create will provide a strong boost to our local economy,” said Castro. “This Parks and Recreation Month, I encourage residents to get outside and check out all our area has to offer.”

Learn more about OSLAD grants and see a full list of projects on the Illinois DNR website.