ELGIN – Several pieces of legislation that will create a more welcoming Illinois were signed into law today. Elgin Democrat State Senator Cristina Castro released the following statement:

“With the recent racist rhetoric from President Trump toward immigrants, I am proud that here in Illinois we are doing what we can to be the most welcoming. People in our communities are living in fear due to the scare tactics used by Trump’s Administration and it isn’t right. Illinois is made up of so many different cultures and people from across the world, and this legislation is a message to them that we have their backs.”

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SPRINGFIELD – Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) released the following statement after the Senate voted for a balanced budget Friday evening.

“This budget represents hope for our state and brings stability to Illinois. I voted for this budget, not only because it is truly balanced, but because it funds the services that have been put on the back burner the last few years and the services that many people in my district rely on.

“After living with the consequences of what a budget impasse did to higher education in our state, this budget makes higher education a priority, especially for students coming from working and middle-class families.

“This budget increases MAP Grant funding by $50 million and gives the AIM HIGH program an additional $10 million. My hope is that this investment will give Illinois students a reason to continue their education here in the state and become working members of our communities.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) voted in favor of the Reproductive Health Care Act today, reassuring women in Illinois that their right to choose will be protected regardless of action at the federal level.

“It is a woman’s fundamental right to accessible and safe reproductive health care,” Castro said. “By passing the Reproductive Health Care Act, Illinois is taking a strong and clear stance against the threat women are facing in our country. I am proud to support this measure that will ensure that if Roe v. Wade does get overturned, women in Illinois will maintain the fundamental right to all forms of reproductive health care.”

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.