SPRINGFIELD – This week’s lame duck session was a win for students and teachers with the passing of the Black Caucus’s education pillar and legislation restoring collective bargaining rights to Chicago teachers. With her background in education, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D- Shorewood) is especially proud to have been a part of such monumental votes.

“As a mother and former teacher and school board member, I’m proud one of the first votes I cast was to improve our school system for all children,” Loughran Cappel said. “Ensuring every child has the tools they need to success in their education is one of my top priorities.”

Plainfield – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D- Shorewood) was proud that one of her first votes was to prohibit school district employees and independent contractors from disciplining children by secluding them in a locked or unlocked space.

“Studies show that isolating students as punishment does not change behavior,” said Loughran Cappel, who served on the Joliet Township High School Board, including its discipline committee. “This legislation will protect our students from the harmful mental health effects of seclusion rooms.”

Specifically, the legislation would ban all isolated seclusion practices and ban the use of physical restraints that could impair a student’s ability to breathe or speak normally. It would still allow for timeouts with a trained adult in the room with an unlocked door for therapeutic reasons or to protect the safety of students and staff.

“I commend my colleagues for helping pass this legislation to protect our most vulnerable students,” Loughran Cappel said. “All our children deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”

The measure, House Bill 2263, has passed the Senate and now returns to the Illinois House for further consideration.

PLAINFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D- Shorewood) is encouraging businesses to apply for Business Interruption Grants before the Tuesday, Dec. 15 deadline.

“COVID-19 has hurt our local businesses and left many unsure of their future,” Loughran Cappel said. “The BIG program is helping relieve some of that stress on businesses by assisting with costs like retaining employees and keeping the lights on.”

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is providing $220 million in funding for small businesses through the BIG Program and has already begun to issue awards for the second round of grants. Businesses can use funding from these grants to cover expenses like payroll costs, rent, utilities and other operating costs.

“Our local businesses need support now more than ever, and the BIG Program is here to provide at least some relief,” Loughran Cappel said. “I urge businesses in our community to apply before the upcoming deadline of Dec. 15.”

More information on the BIG Program and the application to apply can be found on the DCEO website.

PLAINFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D- Shorewood) is encouraging businesses to apply for Business Interruption Grants before the Tuesday, Dec. 15 deadline.

“COVID-19 has hurt our local businesses and left many unsure of their future,” Loughran Cappel said. “The BIG program is helping relieve some of that stress on businesses by assisting with costs like retaining employees and keeping the lights on.”

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is providing $220 million in funding for small businesses through the BIG Program and has already begun to issue awards for the second round of grants. Businesses can use funding from these grants to cover expenses like payroll costs, rent, utilities and other operating costs.

“Our local businesses need support now more than ever, and the BIG Program is here to provide at least some relief,” Loughran Cappel said. “I urge businesses in our community to apply before the upcoming deadline of Dec. 15.”

More information on the BIG Program and the application to apply can be found on the DCEO website.

SHOREWOOD— Joliet native Meg Loughran Cappel was sworn in to represent the 49^th State Senate District on Thursday.

Loughran Cappel is ready to advocate for Will and Kendall County families in Springfield. 

“It is an honor to represent the hardworking families of our district in Springfield,” Loughran Cappel said. “We have important decisions to make this upcoming legislative session and I am ready to fight to protect our local businesses, ensure our children and educators have the resources to be successful and for common sense measures that will grow our region’s economy.”