Welcome to Senator Cristina Castro's legislative website

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.

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."

Castro: Despite federal threats, FY 27 budget protects Illinoisans

SPRINGFIELD — After the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement:

“The federal administration’s economic policies and threats to cut funding have grown the affordability crisis exponentially: people are facing high gas prices, rising costs at the grocery store and skyrocketing rent and mortgages. Illinois families have to stretch their dollars further to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.

“My focus has always been rooted in ensuring every hardworking Illinoisan from every background has the best opportunity to provide and take care of their families, and the budget we passed today does just that. While promoting fiscal responsibility, we are also investing millions into safety net hospitals, funding for school lunch programs and increasing funding for PELL and MAP grants for college financial aid – ensuring the well-being and success of every Illinoisan.

“Providing relief and stability – from students to immigrant communities and working families –continues to be the priority. No student should have to drop out of school because they can’t afford tuition, no child deserves to go to bed hungry because their family has fallen on hard times and no one who needs care deserves to be turned down for treatment simply because they can’t afford it or don’t have insurance.

“With this budget, we are making it clear that protecting and uplifting Illinoisans across the state is our top priority.”