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.

SPRINGFIELD – February 2022 may soon be Career and Technical Education Month in Illinois, thanks to State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood).

“Career and technical education is another tool to give our children real-world skills to excel in their future careers,” Loughran Cappel said. “CTE connects and creates a pathway for Illinois students to be prepared for the jobs of the future.”

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.

Loughran Cappel’s district is served by the Wilco Area Career Center, which works with area students to develop skill sets that provide a pathway to college and career readiness.

PLAINFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) will host a virtual Theft and Scams Prevention Workshop with the office of the Illinois comptroller Wednesday.

The hour-long workshop, which takes place Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 12 p.m., will inform residents of the best practices to avoid becoming a victim of fraud, scams and identity theft.

It will be livestreamed through State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel’s Facebook Page, at @SenatorMegLoughranCappel.

PLAINFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel’s office is starting off the new year with traveling office hours at the Troy-Shorewood Public Library on Friday, Jan. 14 from 11 a.m. – noon to increase accessibility to residents throughout the 49^th District.

Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) hosts traveling office hours every month at different locations and times of day to increase the availability of state assistance and informational resources.

“Government works best when we are easily accessible and accountable to the people who live in our communities,” Loughran Cappel said. “I urge folks who need assistance accessing state and local resources to stop by and find out about new programs and services available.”

Previous traveling office hours have been hosted in Naperville, Oswego and Bolingbrook.

Loughran Cappel urges residents unable to attend the monthly office hours to reach out to her office at 815-267-6119 or visit her website www.SenatorLoughranCappel.com to take her legislative survey.

SPRINGFIELD – Starting Jan. 1, grieving family members will have one less task to worry about, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood).

Loughran Cappel’s law ends early termination fees for utility customers who die before the end of a contract.

“While a family is grieving the loss of a loved one, the last thing they want to deal with is pesky utility fees,” Loughran Cappel said. “The new law will end this unfair practice and protect working families from unnecessary bills.”

This issue was raised by an Illinois resident after reading a news article highlighting a California family who was facing an early termination fee after a family member had died. New York passed a similar law.

“Enacting this new law sends a signal that Illinois is leading by taking a proactive approach to consumer protection,” Loughran Cappel said.

The legislation passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support.  The law, now Public Act 102-0112, takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.