SPRINGFIELD – Drivers will hopefully be able to choose a gender-neutral option to put on their driver’s license or ID cards, thanks to Elgin Democrat State Senator Cristina Castro.

Castro’s measure would allow applications to choose between “male”, “female” or “non-binary” when defining their sex on their driver’s license or ID card.

“It has always been stressed that our driver’s license and state ID cards should be as accurate as possible,” Castro said. “Allowing a gender neutral option only helps to make it more accurate. It has been long enough, and it’s time for not only the state, but its agencies to adapt.”

Currently, eight states and the District of Columbia offer a gender-neutral option on driver’s licenses and ID cards. 

House Bill 3534 passed both chambers and now awaits action by the governor.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) voted for a bill Wednesday that would legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis in Illinois.

House Bill 1438 also gives local governments control and allows for the expungement of minor cannabis offenses.

“Cannabis has been over criminalized for decades and, under this measure, thousands of low-level cannabis convictions would be expunged,” Castro said. “I am proud to support legislation that addresses the underlying concerns and injustices that have been occurring for far too long.”

This measure would also give local governments the ability to limit or prevent cannabis businesses in their communities. They would also be given the authority to enact ordinances allowing public consumption.

“Allowing municipalities to choose what is best for their communities in regards to legal cannabis is the right thing to do,” Castro said. “Each community is different and should be allowed to do what is best for them.”

House Bill 1438 passed the Senate and will now move to the House for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate has voted to approve Senator Cristina Castro’s (D-Elgin) legislation strengthening the Illinois Equal Pay Act.

House Bill 834 would prohibit employers from asking about salary histories when interviewing job applicants. The measure would reduce the effects of pay discrimination from past jobs.

Under current Illinois law, employers can consider salary history when making hiring decisions and salary offers. This perpetuates wage inequality, especially since women, on average, earn less than men for similar work. It has also been found that women of color earn even less than white women when compared to men.

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SPRINGFIELD– Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is pushing for stronger protections for Illinois workers.

House Bill 252 would expand the Illinois Human Rights Act to cover employers with one or more employees. The bill would give these employees a remedy under Illinois law for work-related discrimination and retaliation.

Currently, only employers with 15 or more employees are covered under the Act.

“Expanding the Illinois Human Rights Act is the right thing to do,” Castro said. “We have to ensure that every employee in the state has the same protections when it comes to discrimination in the work place. This is long overdue and I’m happy to see it passed both chambers.”

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