Photo of Cristina Castro
D Illinois Senate · District 22

Sen. Cristina Castro

Compare
Total votes
11,484
all sessions
Attendance
96%
355 missed
Near the chamber average
With party
99%
of cast votes
Higher than 84% of chamber peers
Bipartisan score
0%
crosses aisle rarely
Lower than 87% of chamber peers
Sponsored
1,472
bills & resolutions
Near the chamber average
Committees
6
assignments
1,472 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
1,472
Primary
362
Co-sponsor
1,110
This page
1,472
matching current filters
Co-sponsor SB 190
Signed into law · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
HIGHER ED-HOMELESS LIAISON

Creates the Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act. Requires an institution of higher education (including a business, technical, or vocational school) to designate at least one employee who works within the financial aid department, campus housing services, or any other appropriate office or department, as may be determined by the institution, to serve as a liaison between the institution and a homeless student or student in care who is enrolled at the institution. Sets forth the responsibilities of the liaison, the Board of Higher Education, and the institution. Effective August 1, 2022. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill with the following changes. Adds the Illinois Community College Board as a governing body with responsibilities under the Act. Requires an institution to create a position to carry out the responsibilities of a liaison if the number of students experiencing homelessness or students in care exceeds 2% (rather than 1%) of the student body. Effective August 1, 2022.

Signed into law Jul 9, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 376
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
SCH CD-ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Requires every public elementary school and high school to include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of Asian American history; contains provisions governing this instruction. Provides that the teaching of history of the United States shall include the study of the wrongful incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and the heroic service of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army during World War II. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/27-21 Removes the provisions relating to the history of the United States.

Signed into law Jul 9, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 3922
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
STATE HOLIDAY-JUNETEENTH

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that Juneteenth National Freedom Day shall be observed on June 19 of each year as a holiday throughout the State (currently, not a holiday and is observed on the third Saturday of June of each year). Provides that when June 19 falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be held and considered the holiday. Amends the Election Code, the Illinois Procurement Code, the School Code, and the Promissory Note and Bank Holiday Act to include Juneteenth National Freedom Day as a holiday. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Provides that when June 19 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, neither the preceding Friday nor the following Monday shall be held or considered as a paid holiday (rather than the following Monday being considered a holiday). Effective January 1, 2022.

Signed into law Jun 16, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 104
Signed into law · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
HOSPITALITY-PANDEMIC RECOVERY

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that payment by credit card during the period during which merchandising credit may be extended shall be considered payment. Provides that a retailer may use a credit card to make purchases from a distributor, and the distributor may charge to the retailer any fees associated with that credit card transaction. Provides that manufacturers, non-resident dealers, foreign importers, distributors, or importing distributors may make certain donations related to COVID-19. Provides that retail license holders may accept those donations. Repeals provisions related to the receipt of items of value on January 1, 2024. Authorizes the delivery and carry out of a single serving of wine if specified conditions are met. Provides that the provision concerning delivery and carry out of mixed drinks is repealed on January 1, 2024 (instead of June 2, 2021). Makes other changes. Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, with respect to certain eating and drinking establishments, the obligation to make quarter monthly payments shall be suspended, and the taxpayer shall, instead, make monthly payments as otherwise provided by law. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 235 ILCS 5/6-6.65 new Removes provisions from the introduced bill allowing manufacturers, non-resident dealers, foreign importers, distributors, or importing distributors to make certain donations related to COVID-19. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 35 ILCS 105/9 35 ILCS 120/3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. In the Liquor Control Act of 1934, adds to the definition of "original container" a container that is filled and labeled by the manufacturer and secured by the manufacturer's original unbroken seal. Provides that "sealed container" includes a manufacturer's original container. Provides that a manufacturer's original container shall be affixed with a label or tag that contains the name, license number, and address of the retail licensee that sold the product. Provides for repeal of provisions concerning delivery and carry out of mixed drinks on January 1, 2025 (rather than January 1, 2024). Removes provisions amending the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 235 ILCS 5/6-37 new Provides for repeal of provisions concerning delivery and carry out of mixed drinks on January 3, 2024 (rather than January 1, 2025). Further amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that, from June 10, 2021 through July 10, 2021, a retail licensee may offer a single drink of alcoholic liquor at no cost to a customer as part of a publicly advertised promotion to encourage participation in any COVID-19 vaccination program if the customer provides proof of COVID-19 vaccination received at any time. Provides that drinks may be provided only from 6 p.m. through 10 p.m. Provides that a retail licensee's participation in providing a single drink of alcoholic liquor is voluntary. Allows the retail licensee to determine or restrict which single drink of alcoholic liquor it will provide at no cost but provides that under no circumstances may a single drink of alcoholic liquor exceed 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer. Allows a local liquor control commissioner or local liquor control commission to prohibit retail licensees within its jurisdiction from providing a single drink of alcoholic liquor at no charge by promulgating a rule or policy preempting this Section. Provides that, after receiving a single drink of alcoholic liquor at no charge, no customer shall receive a subsequent drink from the retail licensee providing the drink at no charge or from another retail licensee on the same day or any subsequent day. Requires the retail licensee to develop procedures to verify the identity of the vaccinated customer by comparing the vaccination card to a form of valid federal or State identification. Provides that the retail licensee shall develop procedures to ensure that a customer does not obtain more than a single drink at no charge and the retail licensee shall be subject to penalties imposed by the State Commission if the retail licensee provides more than a single drink to a particular customer at no charge. Provides that the Illinois Liquor Control Commission may publish further guidelines on the implementation of this Section not inconsistent with this Section and shall post them on the State Commission's website. Provides for repeal of the provisions on July 11, 2021. Makes other changes.

Signed into law Jun 2, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Primary SR 303
Passed · Illinois Senate · Lead sponsor
PRIVILEGE TAX-GAMING-REPORT

Urges the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability to report to the Illinois Senate estimates of the revenue that could have been generated through a privilege tax if Illinois had implemented internet gaming beginning February 28, 2020.

Passed Jun 1, 2021 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor SR 341
Passed · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
EQUAL PAY DAYS

Declares March 24, 2021 as Equal Pay Day, August 3, 2021 as Black Women's Equal Pay Day, September 8, 2021 as Native American Women's Equal Pay Day, and October 21, 2021 as Latina Equal Pay Day.

Passed Jun 1, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SR 215
Passed · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
REBUILD ILLINOIS-SUPPORT

Urges the General Assembly and the Governor's Administration to invest our transportation and infrastructure dollars as promised under Rebuild Illinois to make good on our collective commitment to fix our roads, bridges, and schools while creating jobs and opportunities for all residents of Illinois.

Passed May 31, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 2877
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
COVID19-EMERG HOUSING ASSIST

Creates the COVID-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program Act. Contains provisions for: the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance program; accessibility and transparency; process for further prioritizing applicants for financial assistance and housing stability services; and required notifications and correspondence. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes changes concerning the sealing of court files. Provides that certain new provisions concerning sealing of court files in a residential eviction action apply until August 1, 2022. Contains provisions for: the sealing of a court file in a residential eviction action; emergency sealing of a court file in a residential eviction action during the COVID-19 emergency and economic recovery period; and a temporary COVID-19 stay of certain foreclosure proceedings and filings. Makes corresponding changes to a provision regarding demand for rent and eviction actions. Makes corresponding changes in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Changes the definition of "administering State agency" to any agency or department of the State that is eligible to receive a direct federal allocation of federal Emergency Rental Assistance funds that will disburse funds and administer all or a portion of the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Deletes the definition of "recipient" or "program recipient". Provides that any State agency administering the program shall provide rental assistance (rather than "program recipients with relief payments") in an amount based on stated need rather than on a flat or fixed amount. Provides that the administering State agency shall make any joint program application forms available. Deletes language requiring the administering State agency to make program application forms for utility providers available. Fiscal Note (Dept. of Human Services) The source for the Rental Assistance Program is federal and pending the final determination of the agency responsible for implementing the Covid-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, The Department of Human Services does not anticipate a significant fiscal impact to the department to carry out the duties required by HB 2877. Fiscal Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Dept. of Human Services) The source for the Rental Assistance Program is federal and pending the final determination of the agency responsible for implementing the Covid-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, The Department of Human Services does not anticipate a significant fiscal impact to the department to carry out the duties required by HB 2877 House Amendment 1. Housing Affordability Impact Note (Housing Development Authority) The Illinois Housing Development Authority does not anticipate any State fiscal impact because funding used is all federal funds. Housing Affordability Impact Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Housing Development Authority) The Illinois Housing Development Authority does not anticipate any State fiscal impact because funding used is all federal funds.

Signed into law May 17, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 158
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES

Creates the Community Health Worker Certification and Reimbursement Act. Amends various Acts regarding medical staff credentials; electronic posters and signs; N95 masks; Legionella bacteria testing; continuing education on implicit bias awareness; overdoses; the Prescription Monitoring Program; a dementia training program; taxation of blood sugar testing materials; funding of safety-net hospitals; a Child Care Assistance Program Eligibility Calculator; managed care organizations; Federally Qualified Health Centers; care coordination; billing; the Medicaid Business Opportunity Commission; reimbursement rates; doula services; personal care of family members; the State Health Assessment; the State Health Improvement Plan; child care training; and a Medicaid Managed Care Oversight Commission. Creates the Behavioral Health Workforce Education Center of Illinois Act. Creates the Underlying Causes of Crime and Violence Study Act. Creates the Special Commission on Gynecologic Cancers Act. Creates the Racial Impact Note Act to require the estimate of the impact on racial and ethnic minorities of certain bills. Creates the Health and Human Services Task Force and Study Act to review health and human service departments and programs. Creates the Anti-Racism Commission Act concerning elimination of systemic racism. Creates the Sickle Cell Prevention, Care, and Treatment Program Act regarding programs and other matters. Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act in relation to the Health Facilities and Services Review Board, facility closure, and other matters. Creates the Medicaid Technical Assistance Act. Repeals, adds, and changes other provisions. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 305 ILCS 5/9A-11 from Ch. 23, par. 9A-11 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Removes language requiring the SHA and SHIP Partnership to regularly evaluate and update the State Health Assessment and track implementation of the State Health Improvement Plan with revisions as necessary. In provisions amending the Illinois Controlled Substances Act and regarding the Prescription Monitoring Program: (1) presents the findings of the General Assembly; (2) provides that opioid treatment programs may not transmit information without patient consent, and reports made may not be utilized for law enforcement purposes; and (3) provides that treatment of a patient may not be conditioned upon his or her consent to reporting. Removes provisions amending the Illinois Public Aid Code regarding child care. Removes language requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to issue quarterly reports to the Governor and the General Assembly indicating: (i) the number of determinations of noncompliance since the last quarter; (ii) the number of financial penalties imposed; and (iii) the outcome or status of each determination. Makes other changes. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Deletes reference to: 720 ILCS 570/316 Removes provisions amending the Illinois Controlled Substances Act regarding the Prescription Monitoring Program. Makes changes in provisions amending the Adult Protective Services Act regarding adult protective services dementia training. In provisions regarding increasing access to primary care in hospitals, removes language providing that the program developed by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall encourage coordination between FQHCs and hospitals. In the Sickle Cell Prevention, Care, and Treatment Program Act, provides that expenditures from the Sickle Cell Chronic Disease Fund shall be subject to appropriation. Makes the following changes to the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Act: (1) provides that the Center: (i) shall undertake efforts to identify and engage community-based providers offering behavioral health services or services addressing the social determinants of health, especially those predominantly serving communities of color or those operating within or near service deserts, for the purpose of offering training and technical assistance to them through the Center; and (ii) is committed to the principle that all Medicaid recipients have accessible and equitable physical and mental health care services; (2) requires all providers served through the Center to deliver services notwithstanding the patient's race, color, gender, gender identity, age, ancestry, marital status, military status, religion, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, order of protection status, or immigration status; and (3) provides that moneys in the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund shall be used for specified purposes, subject to appropriation. Makes other changes.

Signed into law Apr 27, 2021 1 co-sponsor
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