Welcome to Senator Cristina Castro's legislative website

Castro’s law strengthens postpartum home visiting programs

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Cristina Castro led a new law that will expand at-home care for newborns and their families.

“The early months of parenthood can be both rewarding and overwhelming,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Ensuring new mothers have access to resources, guidance and community support helps create a stronger foundation for families to thrive.”

Over the last three decades, Illinois has administered home visiting programs to assist with child development, parenting skills, family bonding and health, and more. The current home visiting system is a valuable resource for early childhood development statewide, serving approximately 17,000 Illinois families annually. Home visiting programs are proven to have significant positive effects on maternal and family well-being by improving maternal mental and behavioral health, parent-child interactions and family economic circumstances.

Castro’s law builds on current state support by authorizing the Illinois Department of Human Services to develop and oversee a statewide, voluntary, no-cost newborn home visiting program that will aid with existing and future short-term universal newborn home visiting services, from lactation support to health screenings. Through Castro’s law, the department will be empowered to establish evidence-based service models, coordinate funding and data efforts, and collaborate with stakeholders to expand services for newborns and their families.

“This is a meaningful step forward in our long-standing commitment to the well-being of families across the state,” said Castro. “My colleagues and I will continue to work on solutions that continue to fulfill this commitment to working families.”

House Bill 4606 was signed on Friday and takes effect July 1, 2027.

Castro law to establish Illinois’ own Blue Envelope Program

 State Senator Cristina Castro spearheaded a new law that will provide ease of communication between police officers and drivers with an autism spectrum disorder.

“Strong communities depend on strong partnerships between residents and law enforcement,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “When officers can more effectively serve their communities, it leads to improved trust, accountability and outcomes for everybody.”

Nationwide, the Blue Envelope Program is a community-driven, voluntary initiative designed to improve communication and reduce stress during encounters between law enforcement and individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Advocacy groups such as the Autism Hero Project have led efforts to establish Blue Envelope Programs in states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut and Virginia.

Castro led House Bill 4472 to establish a statewide Blue Envelope Program in Illinois. Under the law, the Illinois Secretary of State will design and make publicly available blue envelopes for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to carry essential vehicle-related documents, along with emergency contact information, communication preferences of the individual and instructions for law enforcement on how to proceed with the individual.  

The Blue Envelope Program will provide an optional tool that can help guide law enforcement through interactions with individuals with autism, providing less stress and confusion for both parties. Illinois drivers will be able to choose whether or not they want to participate in the program.

“The Blue Envelope Program has the potential to change the way officers approach traffic stops,” said Castro. “Elgin’s experience has shown that the program works, providing a strong foundation for expanding it statewide.”

House Bill 4472 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1.

Castro kicks off annual Summer Book Club

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro is launching her annual summer reading program for children who live in the 22^nd District.

“Summer provides a great opportunity for students to keep their minds active while on break,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “I look forward to seeing more students become bookworms these next few months.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form, and return the form to Castro’s Elgin office by Aug. 14. Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card and a certificate from Senator Castro.

The form can be filled out online here, or request a copy to be mailed by calling Castro’s office at 847-214-8864.

Castro: A pesar de amenazas del Gobierno federal, el presupuesto del año fiscal 2027 protege a los residentes de Illinois

SPRINGFIELD — Luego de que el Senado aprobara el domingo el presupuesto para el año fiscal 2027, la senadora estatal Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) publicó la siguiente declaración:

 “Las políticas económicas del Gobierno federal y las amenazas de recortes de fondos han agravado la crisis de la asequibilidad de forma significativa: la gente se enfrenta a precios elevados de la gasolina, al aumento de los precios en los supermercados y el aumento de la renta y las hipotecas. Las familias de Illinois tienen que ajustar sus presupuestos al máximo para poder seguir llevando comida a la mesa y mantener un techo sobre sus cabezas.

 “Mi enfoque siempre se ha centrado en garantizar que todos los residentes de Illinois, independientemente de su origen, tengan las mejores oportunidades para mantener y cuidar de sus familias, y el presupuesto que hemos aprobado hoy hace precisamente eso. Al tiempo que promovemos la responsabilidad fiscal, también estamos invirtiendo millones en los hospitales de la red de seguridad social, financiando los programas de comidas escolares y aumentando la financiación de las becas PELL y MAP para la ayuda financiera universitaria, con el fin de garantizar el bienestar y el éxito de todos los residentes de Illinois.

 “Proveer ayuda y estabilidad —desde los estudiantes hasta las comunidades de inmigrantes y las familias trabajadoras— sigue siendo la prioridad. Ningún estudiante debería verse obligado a dejar los estudios por no poder pagar los gastos escolares, ningún niño merece acostarse con hambre porque su familia esté pasando por dificultades económicas y nadie que necesite atención médica merece que se le niegue el tratamiento simplemente porque no puede pagarlo o porque no tiene seguro.

"Con este presupuesto, dejamos claro que nuestra máxima prioridad es proteger y mejorar la vida de los residentes de Illinois en todo el estado."