SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate supported an effort led by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) to declare February Career Technical Education Month in Illinois.

“CTE Month celebrates the importance of career and technical programs across the state and raises awareness to the trades,” Loughran Cappel said. “Students that go into a skilled trade learn life-changing skills through hands-on opportunities and training. I’m proud to draw attention to this important career path that has jumpstarted so many bright futures.”

Approximately 12.5 million high school and college students are enrolled in CTE courses across the country. Advance CTE reports that the high school graduation rate for CTE concentrators is about 90%– 15 percentage points higher than the national average.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to include mental health absences as a reason for an excused absence, championed by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood), passed the Illinois Senate Friday.

“I have always been a firm believer that mental health is every bit as important as physical health, especially during my time as a special education teacher,” said Senate Education Committee Vice-Chair Loughran Cappel. “Our teachers’ well-being is critical to their ability to perform their jobs well, and that’s why I’m advocating for teachers to be able to take time off when they’re sick physically and mentally.”

Under Loughran Cappel’s measure, the school board of each school district would be required to include mental health as part of their current negotiated sick days for full time employees of the district. This legislation would allow teachers to use two of their days as mental health days, and that if a teacher needs three or more mental health days, the school district would require a note from a mental health professional.

“Teachers play an important role in the lives of children, and it is important their mental health is supported to prevent issues that would affect their teaching performance,” Loughran Cappel said. “It’s vital that we give our teachers the time they need to unplug and focus on their mental well-being.”

Senate Bill 3914 moves to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) advanced legislation out of the Senate to create a Children’s Mental Health Council in Illinois.

The council would provide recommendations to the governor and General Assembly each year regarding children with mental health conditions and behavioral disabilities.

“As a former special education teacher in Joliet, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of addressing our children’s mental health,” Loughran Cappel said. “I am proud to be the Senate sponsor of this legislation to address this issue and help our students and their families better cope with their mental health conditions.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure co-sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) to require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to issue state licenses in four weeks passed the Senate.

“We have a variety of professionals waiting months for their licenses to be issued by the state, which is delaying them from getting to work” Loughran Cappel said. “By expediting the licensing process, we are making life and finances just a little easier for our vocational workers.”

The legislation was introduced after hearing word from local residents that the professional licensing process was taking too long. Under the legislation, IDFPR will be required to process applications within four weeks as long as there were no deficiencies submitted. The measure would expedite licenses for health care workers, accountants, speech pathologists and other professionals.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation spearheaded by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) to waive application fees for short-term substitute teaching licenses cleared the Senate Wednesday.

“As a parent and former teacher, I believe we have an obligation to ensure our children have access to a high-quality education,” Loughran Cappel said. “A student’s education should not stop when their teacher is sick or unable to be in the classroom, which is why we need to simplify the process for qualified individuals to substitute teach.”

ROMEOVILLE – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is inviting Romeoville residents to attend her February Coffee and Conversation event on Monday, Feb. 28.

“These casual events provide the perfect opportunity for constituents to meet with their elected officials,” Loughran Cappel said. “This is a great way to hear from community members first-hand and learn what is important to them.”

The event will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Romeoville Branch of the White Oak Library located at 201 Normantown Rd. in Romeoville.

SPRINGFIELD – Application fees may soon be waived for short-term substitute teaching licenses under a plan by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) that advanced out of the Senate Education Committee Tuesday. 

“Staffing is one of the most important, if not the most important, challenges that our schools are facing during this awful pandemic,” said Senate Education Committee Vice-Chair Loughran Cappel. “We have a responsibility to do all we can to ensure our students have access to teachers, and it’s my goal to get them there.”

SPRINGFIELD – Following Governor JB Pritzker’s budget address Wednesday, State Senator Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is pleased to see the state fully fund K-12 education and provide more funding for need-based higher education grants.

“The pandemic has created many difficulties for families with school-aged children and adults seeking further education,” said Loughran Cappel, vice-chair of the Senate Education Committee. “Now, more than ever, we must support educators and students — and this is a good starting point as we begin the budget process.”

The budget proposal builds upon the state’s promise to allocated money toward the K-12 education evidence-based funding formula, as well as increasing funds for early childhood education, state universities, and career and technical education programs. Loughran Cappel is especially supportive of proposed increases to MAP, or Monetary Award Program funding, which greatly improves access to higher education for low-income students. Under the proposal, more than 24,000 additional students would be able to receive assistance.