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 law creates pathway to legal support for unaccompanied children

SPRINGFIELD — Under a new law led by State Senator Cristina Castro, unaccompanied immigrant children will have a path to Illinois’ legal system and access to comprehensive resources and social services following abuse, neglect or abandonment.

“All children deserve protection, no matter their immigration status or background,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “We have a moral obligation to uplift those in need, especially children.”

Under the federal administration, unaccompanied immigrant children are being held in federal detention, often for months with no end in sight – a practice that not only inflicts physical and psychological harm but also precludes youth from being able to seek legal protections such as a Special Immigrant Juvenile Status order. While the number of children and the network of shelters that house them have decreased in recent years, the average length of stay for young people has more than tripled between 2015 and 2025.

House Bill 4890, also known as Ashley’s Law, creates a process for children in the custody of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement who have been abused, neglected or abandoned by one or both parents to receive court-ordered services when they file for dependency. Previously, unaccompanied immigrant children in Illinois were only able to access the legal protections they are entitled to via custody or a guardianship petition but not while in federal immigration custody. Castro’s law makes this process clearer by allowing children to receive those protections when ordered by a court.

An unaccompanied child under Castro’s law will also be eligible to access psychological, educational, medical and social services deemed necessary by court order, creating better mental and physical health outcomes for the child.

“Under the Trump administration, we have seen attacks on immigrant children skyrocket. Many of our clients are now spending 6 months to a year in federal custody, because the government refuses to release them with their parents and family,” said Cecilia Mendoza, associate director of government relations for the National Immigrant Justice Center. “At the same time, children are facing accelerated court hearings with little to no due process protection, leaving many children vulnerable to deportation despite being eligible for protection. Thanks to Ashley's Law, our clients will have a chance to seek protection in spite of all these challenges. In a climate where the federal government has undermined basic principles of fairness, these children will finally experience a glimmer of justice."

House Bill 4890 was signed into law earlier this month and took immediate effect.