SPRINGFIELD – United States Submarine Veterans can now receive a special license plate, thanks to a measure spearheaded by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel that was signed into law Friday.

“We have to uplift our veterans by honoring the sacrifices they have made,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “This is one way we can show our support and thank them for their service.”

The new law allows the Secretary of State to issue United States Submarine Veteran license plates to Illinois residents who served in the United States Navy as a submariner. New York and Connecticut offer similar submarine service license plates.

Democrats, Republicans, law enforcement and school officials seek to include critical response mapping to save lives

SPRINGFIELD – Working across the aisle and in tandem with police chiefs and education officials, members of the Illinois Senate outlined an initiative at a press conference Thursday to enhance crisis response plans in case of a school emergency.

“As a former special education teacher, I spent 15 years in the classroom. I also have three children of my own, one who is now a teacher,” said State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Parents shouldn’t have immense fear that their kids are unsafe at school and teachers shouldn’t be put in a situation where they are on the front line. This is a commonsense approach to protect the people who educate our youth.”

The bipartisan proposal would allow public schools to obtain crisis response mapping data and provide copies to appropriate law enforcement and first responders to use in the event of an emergency.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to recognize and honor Illinois veterans, State Senator Loughran Cappel led a measure that would allow the Secretary of State to issue United States Submarine Veterans special license plates

“After hearing from a number of constituents, I saw the reason this was important to submarine veterans,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We have to honor the sacrifices all our veterans have made and this is one way we can show our support.”

House Bill 1581 would allow the Secretary of State to issue United States Submarine Veteran license plates to Illinois residents who served in the United States Navy as a submariner. New York and Connecticut offer similar submarine service license plates.

The Illinois Secretary of State's Office offers a number of different specialty license plates. Requests for these license plates can be accepted at Driver Services Facilities.

“Our armed forces uproot their lives, leave their families and head off to fight for our country and we can’t thank them enough for that,” Loughran Cappel said.

SPRINGFIELD – To uplift Illinois veterans, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel led a measure through the Senate that would waive fees for veterans adopting dogs or cats.

“Everyone deserve companionship and many have a special bond they share with their animals,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “The benefits pets can give veterans has improved their health and overall happiness.”

Across the state, pet adoption fees vary widely depending on the organization, ranging from $50 to $275. Loughran Cappel’s measure would require animal shelters and animal control facilities to waive the adoption fee for military veterans in Illinois.

For our returning troops, the benefits of bonding with a pet is important to aiding the transition back to civilian life. The bond created between people and animals can reduce grief, lessen loneliness, and improve mental health and overall well-being. Pets have the ability to improve the lives of veterans and, likewise, veterans can improve the lives of sheltered animals by giving them a home.

“This is a small way to show our veterans we appreciate them and the sacrifices they have made,” said Loughran Cappel.

House Bill 2500 passed the Senate on Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to expand access to hospice care, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel championed a measure through the Senate that would increase the number of people hospice residences can serve and the number of licensed hospice locations per county.

“Everyone needs to have access to the care they need, especially during their final months,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “I’ve taken care of a loved one and I understand the stress and exhaustion that comes with it, but it’s an important job that many of us will one day need.”

House Bill 1117 would allow hospice programs that own or operate separate hospice residences to serve up to 24 people per location, rather than the current 20 people per location cap. Additionally, the measure would expand the number of licensed hospice locations per county from five to 16.

“We can’t sit back and watch the shortage of hospice care workers continue to grow,” said Loughran Cappel. “This initiative would address the shortage while expanding access to hospice and providing the needed care people deserve.”

House Bill 1117 passed the Senate and now heads to the governor’s desk.

SPRINGFIELD – As a strong advocate for teachers, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel spearheaded two measures through the Senate to continue her efforts to address the teacher shortage that would increase the number of days substitute teachers can be in a classroom and increase the annual pay cap for teachers who mentor or provide professional development.

“I want to express my support for teachers and acknowledge the difficulties faced by many school districts in finding teachers and substitutes,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “It’s important that we collaborate with school districts to provide them with the flexibility they need to adapt to different situations.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel championed a measure through the Senate that would provide insurance coverage for vaginal estrogen when medically necessary.

“I have always been a strong advocate for women,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Providing coverage for vaginal estrogen will help many of the side effects women going through menopause have and allow them to continue living their best life.”

House Bill 1565 would require individual policy accident and health insurers to cover vaginal estrogen when it is medically necessary. The measure would prohibit insurers from imposing a higher deductible, co-payment, or any other cost sharing requirement on vaginal estrogen than it would for a treatment for erectile dysfunction.

CREST HILL – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel secured over $1.6 million in funding for Will County to boost local tourism efforts and attract visitors to drive along the historic Route 66 and Enjoy Illinois.

“As a lifelong resident of Will County, I know there is so much here to offer to tourists,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Making strong investments into our communities will continue to keep Will County and Illinois on the map.”

The Route 66 Grant Program awarded $3.7 million in funding to seven recipients for the development of tourism, education, preservation and promotion leading up to the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. 300 miles of Route 66 weave through Illinois, and Route 66’s economic and historical impact is felt firsthand in communities across the state.

Part of the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau’s $1,609,400 funding for a variety of statewide Route 66 promotional programs will be used to support EV charging station and landscaping projects in Lockport, Bolingbrook and Joliet, along with several Route 66 monuments, murals and Route 66-themed enhancements to welcome centers and local museums.

Additionally, Will County Lodging was awarded $30,000 through the Illinois Travel and Tourism Grant Program to support local tourism promotional efforts with the goal of attracting visitors to destinations, attractions and events across the state.

“I look forward to continue attracting tourists and bringing out the vibrant history Will County has to offer,” Loughran Cappel said.

To view a full list of Illinois Travel and Tourism Grant Program recipients, click here. For more information on the Route 66 Grant Program, click here.