Loughran Cappel urges additional caution during Work Zone Awareness Week

SPRINGFIELD – To honor those who have died in work zones, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is encouraging residents of the 49^th District to “Go Orange” for Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, April 26-30.

“Work zone accidents are more often than not the result of careless driving,” Loughran Cappel said. “By ‘Going Orange,’ we are committing to creating a safe work environment for those dedicated individuals playing a key part in rebuilding Illinois. I am thankful to members of the organizations from around the state that are contributing to this necessary awareness campaign.”

In 2019, the most recent year statistics are available, 842 people were killed and 39,100 injured in work zone crashes nationally. Illinois averages 6,400 crashes in work zones each year, resulting in 1,700 injuries and 34 deaths. More than 9 out of 10 deaths are someone other than a worker,

“Seeing orange is a powerful reminder that all crashes, injuries and deaths, not just those in work zones, are almost always avoidable,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “We are grateful to the organizations that are taking part in this effort to ‘Go Orange’ and help IDOT and its partners drive the number of fatalities to the only acceptable number – zero.” including drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Visit IDOT’s Work Zone page for more information.

Loughran Cappel acts to give children consideration when sentencing mothers

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois children will receive additional consideration when prison sentence length is determined for an expectant or current mother under a proposal from State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood), which passed the Senate Thursday.

“The absence of a mother can have devastating effects on the development of young children,” Loughran Cappel said. “Stunting their growth because of the poor decisions of a parent is irresponsible.”

To discourage further disruption of families caused by a parent going to jail, Loughran Cappel’s initiative creates a weighing factor for courts to consider when determining the imprisonment time of pregnant women or women with young children in their care.

The proposal was the result of discussions between the Senate Women’s Caucus and First Lady MK Pritzker. Both seek to pass legislation addressing the effects incarceration has on families.

“Prioritizing the needs of our kids when deciding the outcome of trials is common sense,” Loughran Cappel said. “I am thankful to my colleagues for their support on this initiative.”

Senate Bill 1566 now moves to the House for consideration.

Loughran Cappel seeks increased consideration for children when sentencing mothers to jail time

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois judges would be encouraged to consider the negative consequences children at home could face when determining imprisonment length for an expectant or current mother under an initiative that passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee Tuesday.

State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is the lead sponsor of the legislation.

“All judges have options when deciding the length of and manner in which guilty parties serve their sentence,” Loughran Cappel said. “Taking the livelihood of children, who otherwise could be uprooted, into account when sentencing mothers, is the humane thing to do.”

To discourage further disruption of families caused by a parent going to jail, Loughran Cappel’s initiative creates a weighing factor for courts to consider when determining the imprisonment time of pregnant women or women with young children in their care.

“The actions of the parent should not mean negative consequences for the child,” Loughran Cappel said.

Senate Bill 1566 awaits further consideration before the full Senate.

Loughran Cappel urges county governments to implement assistance program to find missing persons

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to bring missing persons suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia home safely, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) moved a resolution out of the Senate State Government Committee Wednesday urging increased use of Silver Search programs.

“Effectively using Silver Search programs can play a vital role in locating a missing loved one,” Loughran Cappel said. “It is crucial to take advantage of every resource we have at our disposal.”

 The Silver Search Task Force utilizes an Endangered Missing Person Advisory when a person with Alzheimer's or dementia goes missing, dispersing as much information as possible about a missing person through email, radio, television broadcast, text message, and law enforcement bulletins. Additionally, the task force has partnerships with the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Tollway Authority in order to post advisories with information on missing persons that may be driving vehicles.

 Of the 121 Silver Alerts that have been issued since the creation of the Silver Search program in 2016, all but one person has been found.

 “We have seen this program used to great effect at the state level,” Loughran Cappel said. “In order for a fully successful program, we need local buy in as well. It is my hope that county officials will utilize Silver Search programs to their full potential and help bring missing people home safely.”

 Senate Resolution 91 will now be heard before the Senate.