Loughran Cappel kicks off summer reading program

• Summer Book Club

CREST HILL – To emphasize the importance of learning throughout the summer, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel is hosting a Summer Book Club to encourage students to read and continue their studies during the summer vacation.

“This is a great opportunity for students to better their education by reading throughout the summer, expanding their wealth of knowledge,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “I encourage families to participate in this program that will get kids excited about reading.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form, and return the form to Loughran Cappel’s office by Aug. 18. Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card and a certificate from Senator Loughran Cappel.

Summer Book Club forms are available to download at SenatorLoughranCappel.com. People with questions can reach out to Loughran Cappel’s office at 815-267-6119.

Loughran Cappel to join residents for Coffee and Conversation in Joliet

• Coffee & Conversation

CREST HILL – Local residents are invited to ask questions about state resources and provide feedback on legislative priorities at State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel’s upcoming Coffee and Conversation event on June 27.

“Events such as this ensure that I am representing the 49^th District to the best of my ability,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Our conversations are meaningful because they provide residents the opportunity to be heard.”

The event will be held Tuesday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Joliet Public Library: Black Road Branch located at 3395 Black Road.

Each monthly Coffee and Conversations serves as an open forum for community members to engage in informal conversations with the senator and each other about issues facing the region and state.

The event is free and open to area residents. Those with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Loughran Cappel’s Crest Hill office at 815-267-6119 or visit her website at www.SenatorLoughranCappel.com.

Loughran Cappel announces traveling office hours in Joliet

• Traveling Office Hours

CREST HILL – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel invites local residents to take advantage of her traveling office hours to provide feedback, learn about helpful resources and more.

Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) hosts traveling office hours every month at different locations and times of the day to increase government accountability, accessibility and assist with state resources in hopes of reaching working families across the district.

“Residents should have access to state and local resources,” said Loughran Cappel. “By hosting these office hours, my goal is give individuals a voice to discuss concerns or the opportunity to learn about programs and services that are available to them.”

Loughran Cappel’s office will be traveling to the Joliet Public Library: Black Road Branch located at 3395 Black Road from 10 a.m. until noon this Friday, June 16.

For more information, residents are encouraged to contact Loughran Cappel’s office at 815-267-6119 or visit SenatorLoughranCappel.com.

Loughran Cappel applauds signing of budget that prioritizes education

• budget

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, a staunch advocate for education, supported the Fiscal Year 2024 budget that was signed into law Wednesday, putting Illinois on a path toward fiscal responsibility and investing in education from preschool to college.

“As chair of the Senate Appropriations-Education Committee, this budget is a win for all levels of education,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We are paving the way for kids to be lifelong learners. Investing in Early Childhood, K-12 and higher education is essential for our future leaders.”

The FY 24 budget puts a total of $250 million toward a new program – SMART Start Illinois – a multi-year program to provide investments in preparing children to be lifelong learners. As part of the plan, $75 million will be sent to the ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant to increase preschool availability with a goal to add 20,000 slots by 2027 and provide every Illinois child with access to a preschool spot if they want one.

“Research has shown how vital Early Childhood education is. By supporting early intervention we are setting students up to succeed in the classroom,” said Loughran Cappel. “When we invest in Early Childhood education, we have to ensure that there will be teachers available to teach. That’s why I pushed to invest in our teacher pipeline so that we can tackle the teacher shortage before it’s too late.”

The budget increases the state’s tuition assistance program, the Monetary Award Program, funding by $100 million – a 75% increase in funding over five years. This increased funding allows nearly all community college students and 40% of public university students at or below median income levels to have their tuition and fees covered through MAP and Pell Grants.

Middle class families will also be able to take advantage of the $50 million investment for the AIM HIGH program which provides merit-based, means-tested student financial aid to first-time, full-time undergraduate students and transfer students who are Illinois residents attending any of the 12 Illinois public four-year universities.

“I spent 15 years in the classroom,” said Loughran Cappel. “My career has led me to be a strong advocate for our teachers and students. I’m proud of what this budget does for our schools, students, families and education professionals.”