Welcome to Senator Cristina Castro legislative website

 SPRINGFIELD — Taking a step toward ensuring caregivers have the tools to meet the needs of people impacted by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, State Senator Cristina Castro advanced legislation that would expand requirements for dementia training for direct service workers.

“Dementia does not have a one-size-fits-all solution,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Empowering direct service workers with essential information will support them in providing more informed and holistic care for those living with dementia.”

Over seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – the most common type of dementia. Recent studies have shown that over half of all caregivers struggle to find resources to help them care for patients with Alzheimer’s.

Currently, Illinois has no basic requirement for training related to Alzheimer’s and dementia for direct service workers employed by the Illinois Department of Human Services, despite providing direct care to patients who may be at risk.

House Bill 4584 would require direct service workers to complete at least two hours of training on Alzheimer’s and dementia, including safety risks, communication and behavior. This training would be completed within six months of employment and renewed annually.

“People living with dementia should be met with the best care possible,” said Castro. “Direct service workers can perform at their best with a clear guide moving forward.”

House Bill 4584 passed the Senate and heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.

ELGIN — State Senator Cristina Castro is inviting residents to a free community shredding event in Elgin to help people protect themselves from identity fraud while offering opportunities to support a local food pantry.

“Residents can fall victim to fraud if their personal information is mishandled,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This event provides peace of mind for those residents wanting to get rid of their paper documents while building community through our food drive.”

The event will be held Sunday, June 7 from 1:30-4:30 p.m., or until the shred truck is full, at Elgin City Hall, located at 150 Dexter Ct. Only paper materials will be accepted and small paper clips and staples do not need to be removed.

During the event, Castro’s office will also be accepting donations for the Community Crisis Center’s emergency food pantry, including non-perishable foods like canned goods, as well as pantry staples like peanut butter, boxed macaroni and cheese, spaghetti sauce, pasta and beans.

Residents with questions can contact Castro’s office at 847-214-8864 or online.

 SPRINGFIELD— To improve communication and create safer, more positive interactions between police officers and individuals with an autism spectrum disorder, State Senator Cristina Castro is leading the charge to establish a Blue Envelope Program in Illinois.

“Providing opportunities to form connections between law enforcement and individuals with autism is important in ensuring those interactions go as smoothly as possible,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “With this legislation, we are bridging the gap of information for law enforcement when interacting with members of the community.”

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. Autism awareness groups such as Autism Hero Project lead these efforts in establishing this same program in states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut and Virginia.

House Bill 4472 would establish a Blue Envelope Program in Illinois by requiring the Illinois Secretary of State to design and make publicly available blue envelopes for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to hold vehicle-related documents inside. The information provided in these envelopes would carry essential driver’s documents along with emergency contact information, communication preferences of the individual and instructions for law enforcement on how to proceed with the individual.  

The goal is to help guide law enforcement through interactions with individuals with autism, providing less stress and confusion for both parties. Drivers could choose whether or not they want to participate in the program.

“After working with the Elgin Police Department on their local pilot version of this program, we have seen nothing but positive results in our community,” said Castro. “What we have done locally should serve as a model for the rest of the state to follow.”

House Bill 4472 passed the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday.

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Cristina Castro advanced a measure that would develop a program to increase care for newborns.

“The postpartum period is a critical phase of newborns’ well-being,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Delivering needed care in that time period will ensure their health is not compromised.”

Over three decades, Illinois has recognized the importance of home visiting programs and their impact on new families. The current statewide home visiting system serves 17,000 Illinois families, remaining a cornerstone of early childhood development in the state.

Castro is leading House Bill 4606 to continue to build on that legacy. The measure would authorize the Illinois Department of Human Services to develop and oversee a statewide, voluntary, no-cost newborn home visiting program by establishing evidence-based service models, coordinating funding and data efforts, and collaborating with stakeholders to expand support for newborns and their families.

Home visiting programs are comprehensive initiatives that ensure new families and their infant children are connected with community resources, early childhood services, family supports and follow-up health care.

“The challenge of being a mother is enough on its own,” said Castro. “Having a community of support and resources available enables new parents and their children to live happy and healthy lives.”

House Bill 4606 passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee Tuesday.