Castro stands up for economic program that will help businesses start and stay here

• Economic Development

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) worked with the Illinois State Senate to override the governor’s veto on Senate Bill 1462 to bring a new economic development program to Illinois.

Senate Bill 1462 would create an Entrepreneur Learner's Permit pilot program to encourage and assist beginning entrepreneurs in certain business sectors by reimbursing them for state fees associated with forming a business.

“It’s important to utilize this opportunity to help entrepreneurs start their businesses here in our state and stay here,” said Castro. “I am excited to continue fighting for economic development opportunities like this to make our state a better place to do business.”

Currently, entrepreneurs must pay several fees for licenses and permits.  Senate Bill 1462 allows for reimbursement of those fees in hopes of making it easier to start a new business in Illinois. It reimburses state fees for first-time business owners of information services, biotechnology and green technology businesses.

“Governor Rauner is a business man, but he is struggling to recognize the importance of new jobs,” said Castro. “Information Service, biotechnology and innovative green industries are the jobs of our future. It’s important we work together to embrace these industries and modernize Illinois’ economy.”

Senate Bill 1462 was overridden by the Senate with bipartisan support and moves to the House for reconsideration.

Castro fights to protect Illinois workers

SPRINGFIELD – To protect collective bargaining, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) joined the Illinois Senate to override the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1905.

Senate Bill 1905, which is sponsored by Castro, protects Illinois workers by prohibiting local governments from enacting harmful "right-to-work" laws. Right-to-work laws have been shown to weaken collective negotiations for fair wages, safe work environments and competitive benefits.

"I am happy to see that my colleagues helped protect the people of Illinois by working together to defeat Governor Rauner’s corporate agenda," said Castro. "We can’t let companies profit at the expense of our workers."

Senate Bill 1905 was overridden by the Senate with bipartisan support and moves to the House for reconsideration.

Sen. Cristina Castro tells governor to prioritize people over profits

• Economic Development

ELGIN- State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is urging her colleagues to work with her to protect collective bargaining rights for the people of Illinois by overriding the Governor Bruce Rauner’s veto of Senate Bill 1905.

“The governor needs to prioritize people over profits,” Castro said. “Governor Rauner’s anti-work agenda continues to perpetuate a growing backlog of bills and helped create a two-year budget impasse that decimated rape crisis centers, social service providers and local schools. He needs to learn his policies did not work in the boardroom and will not for the people of Illinois.”

Castro’s measure, Senate Bill 1905, protects all Illinois workers by preventing local government entities from enacting harmful “right-to-work” laws advocated for by the governor and his extreme supporters.

Right-to-work laws hinder individuals from participating in collective negotiations for fair wages, safe workplaces and competitive benefits. These types of policies are usually advocated for by business groups to protect company profits at the expense of workers.

“Governor Rauner has worked to systematically tear Illinois apart in an attempt to sell off parts to the highest bidders,” Castro said. “Illinois is not for sale. I refuse to stand by as he launches his latest attack on the hardworking residents of our district. I urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to put political party aside and work together to defeat his corporate agenda.”

Senate Bill 1905 passed the Senate and House with some bipartisan support. Castro hopes the Senate will consider this measure during the General Assembly’s Veto Session which starts next week.

Castro’s new law empowers residents to eliminate government waste

• Government Consolidation

ELGIN- Local communities have a new tool to combat government waste thanks to Elgin Democratic State Senator Cristina Castro.

Castro championed House Bill 607, which allows townships to abolish road districts through the use of voter referendums.

“Empowering voters to streamline services and eliminate redundant forms of government will lower property tax bills,” Castro said. “Now more than ever we need to work in tune with local citizens to reduce waste in every level of government.”

House Bill 607 allows every township in Illinois to place a referendum on the ballot asking voters whether a township road district should be abolished and the responsibilities of maintaining roadways transferred to the township. Previously this option was only available for townships located in Cook County.

Castro said a good example of local road district consolidation happened in Hanover Township in Cook County when the township worked to consolidate its road district prior to the passage of this new law.

“As a result of our citizen approved consolidation referendum, Hanover Township has an opportunity to implement cost saving measures all while maintaining high quality constituent service,” said Brian P. McGuire, Hanover Township Supervisor. “As it should be, this new law invests power in the hands of local residents throughout Illinois.”

Castro said her experience as a member of the Kane County Board helped her craft this legislation and gain an understanding of government at the local level.

“Local control belongs in local hands,” she said. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to consolidating government services, so this new law will allow taxpayers to decide what’s best for their communities.”

House Bill 607 passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support. The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2018.