CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), a member of the Illinois Future of Work Task Force, is looking forward to addressing and confronting workforce challenges facing Illinois. The bipartisan task force held their first meeting this week.

“We are still living in an unprecedented time, and we see the effects of the pandemic still hurting our workforce,” Castro said. “This diverse task force will help lawmakers and stakeholders develop a plan to tackle challenges head on.”

The task force, which was established this year under the Illinois Future of Work Act, is made up of 26 members, including lawmakers, employers, representatives from the labor movement and more.  Following a series of meetings throughout the coming months, the task force will present a report of its findings to the governor and General Assembly next spring.  

Castro was appointed to the task force by Senate President Don Harmon on Sept. 3.

The task force meetings will cover topics including:

• Overview: The present and future state of work in Illinois
• Creating jobs that sustain and uplift
• New technologies and challenges reshaping work
• Education, skills and barriers
• Labor benefits, protections and standards enforcement
• Transportation, logistics, green Jobs

“Between the pandemic, new energy law and ongoing technological advancements, there is a shift occurring when it comes to labor and the workforce in Illinois and throughout the nation,” Castro said. “This task force couldn’t come at a more opportune time, and I’m excited to get the work started.”

Meetings are open to the public at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website at www.bit.ly/ILFUTUREOFWORK.

HOFFMAN ESTATES – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) toured the AMITA Health AMITA Health St. Alexius Medical Center and sat down with local health care workers to discuss some of the challenges facing local systems Monday.

“I appreciated the conversations I had during my visit regarding some of the issues in our health care system, like staffing needs, number of beds and more,” Castro said. “We know that behavioral and mental health care is just as important as physical care, and AMITA is working to expand their services to people with mental health needs.”

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CHICAGO – To kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) along with Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García and other state leaders launched the Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Coalition to boost representation throughout the state.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to push for increased investment in Latino communities across our state,” said Castro, a second-generation Mexican-American. “The leaders in this coalition understand the historic struggles of people in the Latino community and will help be a voice for change.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin), who has worked tirelessly for years to bring a comprehensive and just energy transition package to Illinois, released the following statement regarding the General Assembly’s passage of the state’s historic energy measure:

“After years of fighting the battle for clean energy, I am pleased we were able to come together to pass a comprehensive energy package that puts environmental justice and equity at the center of the work to move Illinois to 100% clean energy.

“Historically, Black and Brown communities have been disproportionately impacted by climate change and other environmental and health harms that come with burning fossil fuels. Giving these voices a chance to lead the transition to clean energy was a top priority that was reached in this legislation.

“I am proud to have worked over the last few years on an ethical clean energy plan to bring Illinois to the forefront of the fight against the climate crisis.”