Loughran Cappel expands hospice care under new law

• HB1117

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to expand access to hospice care, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel led a measure that will increase the number of people hospice residences can serve and the number of licensed hospice locations per county, which was signed into law Friday.

“As someone who has cared for loved ones, I know the stress and exhaustion that comes with it,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “It’s a role many of us have taken on because we want our family to have the care they need during their final months. That’s why I worked to expand hospice care so everyone can have access to quality health care.”

The Loughran Cappel law allows 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 law expands the number of licensed hospice locations per county from five to 16.

“As the shortage of hospice care workers has grown, State Representative Natalie Manley and I worked to expand the number of residents they can care for without creating a burden on hospice care workers,” said Loughran Cappel. “We have to continue working together to address the shortage but this is a step in the right direction to providing the essential health care people deserve.”

House Bill 1117 takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

Clean drinking water secured for Crest Hill under Loughran Cappel law

SPRINGFIELD – Crest Hill residents will have access to clean drinking water under a measure championed by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel that was signed into law Friday.

“Everyone deserves access to clean drinking water,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “This was an easy fix to make sure Crest Hill residents have safe, clean drinking water that will have a lasting effect on the city.”

Crest Hill's switch to Lake Michigan as a source of treated water needs to be finished by the end of 2029. The new water supply operation, once finished, will be able to serve both the city's water system pressure zones and will be capable of meeting all of its water supply needs.

The Loughran Cappel law authorizes the City of Crest Hill to buy land that will be used to construct a Lake Michigan water station. The proposed site for the water receiving station is on land owned by the Illinois Department of Corrections, which is near the city's largest water customer, Stateville Correctional Center.

"I am extremely grateful to Senator Loughran Cappel for her help and assistance with the passage of the Land Transfer Bill through the Senate,” said City of Crest Hill Mayor Raymond R. Soliman. “This will be a tremendous tax savings for all of the residents of the City of Crest Hill and will also help us secure our allocation to obtain Lake Michigan water."

House Bill 2097 takes effect immediately.

Loughran Cappel law aims to further tackle teacher shortage

• Teacher Shortage

SPRINGFIELD – Substitute teachers will be able to spend more time in the classroom under a law championed by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel in an effort to continue her fight to tackling the teacher shortage.

“Students need to be familiar with their teacher, even if it’s for a short period of time,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “For students, they will be able to continue learning and growing while maintaining consistency in the classroom.”

The new law allows a substitute teacher who has filled a vacancy left by a licensed teacher to teach in an emergency situation for 90 days or until the end of the semester, whichever is greater, if the school district files a written request with the appropriate regional office of education.

Previously, a substitute teacher could only fill a vacancy left by a licensed teacher under contract in an emergency situation for up to 30 days.

“We continue to see the impact the teacher shortage has on our students, schools and teachers,” said Loughran Cappel. “We have to collaborate with school districts so they have the resources to be flexible and adapt to unforeseen situations.”

House Bill 3442 was signed into law Friday.

Loughran Cappel law provides coverage for trauma survivors’ reconstructive surgeries

SPRINGFIELD – Reconstructive surgeries as a result of a traumatic experience will be covered by insurance under a new law spearheaded by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.

“It’s not easy to be reminded of a traumatic experience every time a survivor looks in the mirror,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We have to provide the essential resources so survivors can recover without being burdened by hospital bills.”

The new law requires HMOs, Medicaid and individual and group health insurance policies to cover medically necessary reconstructive surgeries to restore a person’s physical appearance that was damaged by trauma.

Currently, Medicare patients pay 100% of non-covered services, including most cosmetic surgeries. There are no provisions for cosmetic surgery for state employee’s group insurance. Reconstructive breast surgery is covered if it’s in connection with a mastectomy.

“This initiative was designed to help survivors continue to process and recover from their tragedy,” said Loughran Cappel. “They no longer will have to weigh the cost versus necessary health care.”

House Bill 1384 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.