Illinois State Senator Cristina Castro

Castro praises expansion of Elgin Sports Complex

Details: Category: News; Friday, October 04, 2024 12:36 PM

Photo: City of Elgin

Elgin-area residents will see enhanced recreational activities in the coming years as Elgin breaks ground on its new sports complex expansion, a move State Senator Cristina Castro applauds.

“Investing in the infrastructure that improves residents’ quality of life will create new construction jobs, draw visitors, and help Elgin attract new events and tournaments – ultimately benefiting our local economy,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “I’m excited to see this project begin and look forward to the new opportunities the complex will create for families, athletes and vendors across our community.”

Castro hosting free flu shot events this October

Details: Category: News; Thursday, October 03, 2024 10:05 AM

To help reduce the spread of influenza this fall and winter, State Senator Cristina Castro is encouraging residents to protect themselves by getting their annual flu shot at an upcoming event this month.

“An annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to keep yourself and others healthy this winter,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Our community flu shot clinics will give residents of the 22^nd District the opportunity to safely and conveniently protect themselves from the flu this winter.”

Castro has partnered with Ascension Health to offer free flu shots Saturday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Elgin Room at Gail Borden Library, located at 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin. Flu shots will also be offered at a second event on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hanover Township Senior Center, located at 240 Illinois Route 59 in Bartlett.

Flu shots at both events will be available for adults 18 and older. For more information, contact Castro’s office at 847-214-8864 or online.

Castro applauds funding for local literacy programs

Details: Category: News; Monday, September 30, 2024 09:00 AM

Two local organizations are set to receive over $230,000 in combined literacy grants to grow and enhance their programs, thanks to support from State Senator Cristina Castro.

“Community-based literacy programs provide a safe and enriching opportunity for residents to improve their skills alongside their children,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This funding will build on our work in Illinois to promote literacy, expand access to adult education and strengthen opportunities for lifelong, family-centered learning.”

The latest round of funding from Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias includes nearly $22 million for library services and $6 million to support literacy programs throughout the state.

Castro announces local schools set to receive over $26 million

Details: Category: News; Monday, August 19, 2024 09:34 AM

State Senator Cristina Castro announced five school districts across Cook and Kane counties will receive over $26 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“One of the top issues I hear about from suburban families is property taxes,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “That’s why it’s so critical the state keeps good on our promise to continue investing in fully funding our public schools. It’s one of the best ways we can ensure student success without unfairly burdening our local governments and taxpayers.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education students or English language learners, among other factors.

Welcome

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Thank you for visiting my legislative website. It is my honor to serve the citizens of the 22^nd Senate District in the Illinois General Assembly. On this website, you can learn a little bit about me, my record in the General Assembly and the services I can provide you.

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