Loughran Cappel, Manley to host Coffee with Cappel in Crest Hill

CREST HILL – Local residents are invited to join State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel and State Representative Natalie Manley to chat over a cup of coffee on Aug. 26, where she will have open dialogue about how she can best serve the area.

“One of my favorite things to do as a senator is sit and chat with local residents,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “This is a great time to come ask questions, voice concerns and find resources available to you.”

The free event will be held Tuesday, Aug. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Urban Kitchen, located at 2424 Plainfield Rd. in Crest Hill.

Loughran Cappel regularly hosts coffee and chat events, which serve as open forums for community members to share their concerns and talk with the senator about state issues. Coffee will be provided for attendees.

Residents with questions or concerns can contact Loughran Cappel’s Crest Hill office at 815-267-6119 or visit her website at www.SenatorLoughranCappel.com.

Loughran Cappel-backed law eliminates outdated school code mandates

To address unnecessary and burdensome Illinois School Code mandates, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel collaborated with colleagues and multiple statewide education stakeholders to create a new law that eliminates outdated school code mandates in Illinois.

“As time changes, especially in education, it’s essential we adapt with those changes, leading me to work with my colleagues and education advocates on the process of revising our school code,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “With fewer mandates in the school code to worry about, this measure is about putting more control into our schools districts’ hands.”

This law initiates the reduction of unnecessary school code mandates agreed upon by statewide educational stakeholders. It also creates the School Code Mandate Reduction Council, comprised of eight members of the General Assembly and one member from each of the 12 statewide educational organizations, to identify and recommend the removal of mandates that align with the state's goal of providing high-quality education tailored to each student.

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New Loughran Cappel law enhances emergency training in schools

To better prepare all educators – including substitute teachers – for emergencies at school, a new law championed by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel requires training in evacuation and lockdown procedures prior to being in the classroom.

“We drop off our children in the mornings and expect educators to know what they’re doing if an emergency occurs,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Full-time teachers receive training on all emergency protocols, and substitute teachers should receive the same.”

The new law requires school districts in Illinois to provide training to all substitute teachers on school evacuation drills and law enforcement lockdown drills. Additionally, all substitutes will be given the same information as full-time employees outlining all lockdown and evacuation procedures, and maps will be required to be displayed in every classroom showing all school exit points.

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Loughran Cappel law removes statute of limitations for child trafficking

A new law led by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel will allow individuals trafficked or exploited as minors more time to bring forth charges.

“Current law has a three-year statute of limitations for these terrible crimes,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “It can take victims many years to tell their story; they shouldn’t be limited to a timeframe.”

House Bill 2602 will extend the time limit for filing criminal charges in cases of forced labor, trafficking or related offenses by allowing charges to be brought at any time if the victim was under 18 years old when the crime occurred.

“This legislation reflects our evolving understanding of trauma in survivors and lets them know our justice system is on their side,” said Loughran Cappel.

House Bill 2602 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.