Castro announces over $11 million for replacing lead pipes in Elgin

Elgin is set to receive over $11 million in zero-interest loans to replace over 800 lead pipes in the community and ensure a cleaner, safer water supply, State Senator Cristina Castro announced Tuesday.

“Thanks to our advocacy, we are making sure Elgin gets its fair share of federal dollars for replacing lead pipes,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “With this funding, over 800 families will upgrade to stronger, safer infrastructure they can count on to bring clean water into their households.”

During the last quarter of Fiscal Year 2024, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency awarded over $32 million in zero-interest loans to six Illinois communities to fund the replacement of lead service lines. Many homes built prior to 1990 have lead service lines or plumbing fixtures and faucets that contain lead. Because lead is a toxic metal that can enter drinking water when pipes and fixtures corrode, eliminating lead service lines in homes helps to reduce lead exposure for residents, particularly children.

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Castro teams up with Crespo to host mobile DMV in Streamwood

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Motorists who have been unable to visit a driver services facility to renew their driver’s licenses and purchase vehicle stickers will be able to attend an upcoming mobile DMV event sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro in partnership with State Representative Fred Crespo and the Illinois Secretary of State.

“Bringing the Secretary of State’s office directly to our communities can help residents more easily access important driver services,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “I encourage residents to take advantage of this convenient way to renew their driver’s licenses and book an appointment for our mobile event as soon as possible.”

The free event will be available to drivers Friday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Poplar Creek Library located at 1405 S. Park Ave. in Streamwood. The unit operates like a driver services facility and offers driver’s license renewals, identification cards, vehicle registration stickers, voter registration and organ donor registration. The offices will have Spanish-speaking staff members on site to ensure language accessibility. Residents should register for the mobile event by filling out this form.

Representatives from the Illinois Tollway will also be on site to help individuals and families with I-PASS registration, benefits and questions. For more information about the I-PASS Assist program, click here.

For additional information, residents can contact Castro’s office at 847-214-8864.

Castro issues statement on executive action offering new pathways to work, residency for mixed-status families

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State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement Tuesday in response to President Joe Biden’s executive order expanding protections for spouses of U.S. citizens and establishing a new pathway to work visas for certain DACA recipients:

“DACA recipients are working, raising families, buying homes, graduating with advanced degrees and transforming their communities for the better. They are drivers of the economy, they are high academic achievers, and they have grown up here. The United States is their home.

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Castro applauds grant funding awarded to local chambers of commerce

Two area chambers of commerce are receiving nearly $85,000 in grant funding designed to provide additional targeted support for small businesses that have struggled to recover from the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to support from State Senator Cristina Castro.

“Local chambers supported our small businesses and communities during the height of the pandemic, underscoring the need for additional funding to propel their recovery efforts,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “We worked to secure vital relief for small businesses over the last few years, and it’s great to see this grant program continuing to make a real difference in the local economy.”

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