Loughran Cappel: Illinois continues to prioritize public education

Following the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) released the following statement regarding her support:

“The Fiscal Year 2026 budget touches on key components that will prioritize working families in Illinois, while still maintaining our commitment to fiscal responsibility.

“One of the most important investments prioritized in the budget is continued and much-needed funding for our education system and public schools. As a former teacher, and now chair of the Senate Education Committee, I understand how crucial financial support is to not only our schools, but also the children who attend them.

“Aside from investments in K-12 schools, this budget maintains significant commitments to early childhood education and higher education. It continues to fund Smart Start Illinois, expanding preschool access for children, and provides funding for the new Department of Early Childhood that will focus on administering early childhood education programs. Higher education will also see investments, including a $10 million increase for MAP grant funding.

“With uncertainties present in federal funding, Illinois is making it clear that we care about our education system, and we will do everything we can to ensure schools get the funding they deserve.”

Loughran Cappel moves legislation further enhancing emergency training in schools

SPRINGFIELD – To better prepare all educators – including substitute teachers – for emergencies at school, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel advanced a measure out of the Senate that requires training in evacuation and lockdown procedures prior to being in the classroom.

“This measure ensures that anyone teaching students knows exactly what to do in case of a crisis situation,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “You never know when an emergency will happen, so requiring this training is the logical thing to do.”

House Bill 1787 would require school districts in Illinois to provide training to all substitute teachers on school evacuation drills and law enforcement lockdown drills. Additionally, all substitutes would be given the same information as full-time employees that outlines all lockdown and evacuation procedures, and maps would be required to be displayed in every classroom showing all school exit points.

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Loughran Cappel measure aims to address cyberbullying using AI technology

SPRINGFIELD – In response to increases in bullying incidents using artificial intelligence and altered images, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel advanced legislation out of the Senate that adds to the definition of cyberbullying and addresses artificial intelligence content in the school code.

“Many people are using AI to produce harmful materials, which has led to a whole new level of cyberbullying,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We cannot let our laws fall behind technology. This legislation helps our state meet current challenges and ensures bullying via AI is addressed in the school code.”

House Bill 3851 would further extend the definition of bullying and clarify that cyberbullying includes the posting or distribution of unauthorized digital replicas, if the action creates any of the effects stated in the definition of "bullying" within the school code. Also addressed in the bill, a student who uses another student’s photo to depict them offensively without permission would be considered cyberbullying. However, classroom uses of AI that involve consent would not constitute as bullying.

“Artificial intelligence should be used for good, not to bully or demean others,” said Loughran Cappel. “Our students need to be protected against the misuses of new technology, and I’m happy to pass this bill to ensure that happens.”

House Bill 3851 passed the Senate Friday.

Loughran Cappel works to crack down on cyberbullying via AI technology

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the growing trend of bullying that uses artificial intelligence to create and distribute sexually explicit materials, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a bill through committee that further expands the definition of cyberbullying and addresses the use of bullying by artificial intelligence in the school code. 

“With artificial intelligence on the rise, we are seeing a lot more cyberbullying scenarios that deal with altered, harmful images,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “It’s essential for our students and families to know that although there may be good uses for AI, it can also be a harmful tool and there will be consequences for students if it’s used inappropriately.”

House Bill 3851 would further extend the definition of bullying and clarify that cyberbullying includes the posting or distribution of unauthorized digital replicas, if the action creates any of the effects stated in the definition of "bullying" within the school code. Under the bill, a student who uses another student’s photo to depict them offensively without permission would be considered cyberbullying. However, classroom uses of AI that involve consent would not constitute as bullying.

The legislation is a response to a growing number of national and local reports of these types of AI programs being used to create vulgar and demeaning images.

“Digitally manipulated photos can devastate students’ mental health,” said Loughran Cappel. “This legislation ensures our state laws and school policies designed to protect students don’t fall behind the latest technology.”

House Bill 3851 passed the Senate Executive Committee with bipartisan support Wednesday.