ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is partnering with other local elected officials to host a free community shred day in Streamwood on Saturday, Aug. 20 that will help residents securely dispose of documents that contain personal and sensitive information.

Shredding trucks will be available at the Hoosier Grove Barn, located at 700 W. Irving Park Rd. in Streamwood, from 9 a.m. – noon or until the trucks are full. Attendees will be able to safely destroy any confidential or vulnerable records, such as bank statements, canceled checks, outdated medical records, paid bills, receipts and junk mail.

“Destroying documents that contain personal information helps protect against fraud and identity theft,” said Castro. “This event is a safe and convenient way to do just that. I hope residents will leave feeling secure knowing that their sensitive information is better protected.”

Sen. Castro will be joined by State Representative Fred Crespo, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, the Streamwood Park District and the Hanover Park Community Bank.

Sen. Castro’s office will also be collecting goods for the Astor Food Pantry in Hanover Park. Items that are most needed include: canned ravioli, canned chicken, jarred pasta sauce, coffee, mayonnaise, toilet paper, ketchup and mustard, pickles, ramen soup, paper towels, and toothpaste. See the attached flyer for a full list of items needed by the pantry.

For more information, contact Sen. Castro’s office at 847-214-8864 or online at www.SenatorCristinaCastro.com.

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro recently announced that, thanks to funds distributed by the Illinois State Board of Education, School District U-46 will be receiving $50,000 for infrastructure improvements.

“Ensuring the buildings and maintenance projects in our schools are kept up with is critical for keeping our kids safe, healthy and productive in the classroom,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This investment in U-46 will allow the district to fund projects and give students the learning environment they deserve.”

A total of $30 million in 2022 School Maintenance Grants was distributed to districts across the state. To be eligible for the grants, applicants were required to match the state funds and commit to completing proposed projects within two years.

Projects made possible thanks to these grants include updates to heating and cooling, improvements to ventilation, increased accessibility throughout buildings and more.

“Studies show that high-quality facilities lead to better educational outcomes, and the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the importance of well-ventilated, accessible spaces,” said Castro. “These grants will better the lives of students in our community and across the state.”

A full list of grantees and awards can be viewed on the ISBE website.

ELGIN – To kick off Parks and Recreation Month, State Senator Cristina Castro announced funding for investments in four local parks and forest preserves in Cook and Kane Counties.

“Spending time outdoors has many benefits, from encouraging people to be physically active to improving cognitive function and memory,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “By making critical improvements to our local parks and outdoor spaces, we are prioritizing the overall well-being of our residents.”

Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program grants are administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and support local park projects. When combined with local matching funds, the latest OSLAD grants provide more than $56 million in local park development projects and land acquisitions statewide.

Projects receiving funds in the area Castro represents include:

• Hanover Park District, Community Park – $319,700
• Hoffman Estates Park District, Beacon Point – $180,000
• City of Elgin, Millennium Park – $338,100
• Kane County Forest Preserve District, Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve – $400,000

 “I’m excited to see what improvements are made to these spaces, and the jobs these projects create will provide a strong boost to our local economy,” said Castro. “This Parks and Recreation Month, I encourage residents to get outside and check out all our area has to offer.”

Learn more about OSLAD grants and see a full list of projects on the Illinois DNR website.

ELGIN – Following news of the Supreme Court overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement:

“The overturning of Roe v. Wade is a devastating loss for women and reproductive rights. When it comes to health care, everyone should have the right to make decisions on their own body.

“This decision will especially impact communities of color and low-income people who might not have the means to travel to access reproductive care or be able to afford to raise a child in these times of ever-rising prices.

“I take some solace in the fact that our state is a leader in reproductive rights—enshrining these rights as fundamental. As the impact of this decision unfolds, I ensure every woman who seeks the right to choose that your rights will be acknowledged and protected here in Illinois.”