CREST HILL – The Village of Romeoville is set to receive nearly $160,000 to support workers impacted by plant or mine retirements established under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act with strong support from State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.

“The communities affected by CEJA, like Romeoville, deserve investments to help ease the transition to a limited emissions energy economy,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We have to uplift the local economies that were impacted and continue investing so our working families aren’t left to fend for themselves.”

The $40 million program was designed to meet the needs of individual localities by addressing the economic and social impacts of plant closures. The $158,155 coming to Romeoville can be used on a variety of initiatives and investments, including workforce initiatives, housing support, business attraction efforts and more.

As part of the program, Romeoville will develop detailed plans for the grant funding – which includes stakeholder engagement, a detailed project design and budget which outlines specific intended uses for the funds. The community stakeholder engagement process is a critical element designed to ensure grantees solicit community input and consult with a diverse set of stakeholders to best support those most impacted by energy transitions.

To learn more about the Energy Transition Community Grant Program, click here.

ROMEOVILLE – Whether it’s questions about state resources or feedback on legislative priorities, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel loves sitting down with local residents to reflect on how she can best serve the 49th District. During a Coffee and Conversation event on March 16, Loughran Cappel invites the community to join her at the White Oak Library in Romeoville to chat.

“I want to make myself easily accessible for residents across the district,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “The best way for me to efficiently and effectively do my job is to meet with people face-to-face and take in their concerns. Join me for a cup of coffee and conversations.”

The event will be held Thursday, March 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the White Oak Library located at 201 West Normantown Road in Romeoville.

Each monthly Coffee and Conversation 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 the 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.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure Crest Hill residents have clean drinking water, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel sponsored a measure that would construct a Lake Michigan water receiving station, which passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday.

“Water is basic need for everyone,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Ensuring Crest Hill has access to Lake Michigan’s water supply is vital. This initiative would help the city for decades to come.”

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

Senate Bill 347 would authorize the City of Crest Hill to buy the land that would be used in the construction of 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.

“Addressing the local issues that our community face is my top priority,” Loughran Cappel said. “This measure would be a win for the residents of the 49^th District.”

Senate Bill 347 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and heads to the floor for further consideration.

CREST HILL – With strong support from State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, the Villages of Shorewood and Plainfield and Plainfield Township Park District are set to receive over $1.2 million for land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects.

“Our neighborhood parks are a part of our community,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Investing in local parks provides a place for people to gather, enjoy and explore. We can see the benefits from spending time outside at parks such as reducing stress, lowering blood sugar and overall better physical health.”

Nearly $60 million in grants were awarded to 118 local parks across Illinois through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants, administered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This announcement includes the largest round of grants in the 36-year history of the program.

The Village of Shorewood will receive $600,000, the Village of Plainfield will receive $284,500 and the Plainfield Township Park District is set to receive $377,500 to acquire and develop land for public parks and open space. OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that has become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois.

Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website for more information on the OSLAD grants.