SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a measure out of committee that would allow individuals trafficked or exploited as minors more time to bring forth charges.

“The victims of crimes like these can take time to come forward because of trauma or other hardships,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Eliminating the time restriction would help ensure survivors can tell their story when they feel ready, not when the law says so.”

House Bill 2602 would 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.

“The perpetrators of these awful crimes shouldn’t be able to hide behind passed time,” said Loughran Cappel. “This legislation gives survivors their power back and acknowledges it takes courage and time to seek justice.”

House Bill 2602 passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee Tuesday.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure all educators, including substitute teachers, know what to do in case of an emergency at school, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a bill out of committee that requires them to be trained in evacuation and lockdown procedures.

“Parents send their children to school expecting their teacher to know what to do if there’s an emergency,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Ensuring every teacher, substitute or full-time, is trained for emergency response situations is the logical thing to do.”

House Bill 1787 would require school districts in Illinois to provide training to all substitute teachers on school evacuation drills and law enforcement lockdown drills. Additionally, all substitutes would be given the same information as full-time employees that outlines all lockdown and evacuation procedures, and maps would be required to be displayed in every classroom showing all school exit points.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel supported a resolution in the Senate that honors the life of Wadee Alfayoumi, a six-year-old American-Palestinian boy from Plainfield who was fatally attacked in 2023.

“This was a terrible act of violence against a child and no child should ever be made a target because of who they are, where they come from or how they pray,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “May the memory of Wadee be a blessing and a reminder we must rise against hate and continue the work of building a better and safer state.”

International Day of Peace is recognized across the world each year on Sept. 21. In honor of Wadee Alfayoumi, Senate Resolution 265 renames this year’s observance in Illinois as Wadee’s Day to inspire individuals to work together to make the world a more peaceful place.

The Senate adopted the resolution on Tuesday.

CREST HILL – Thanks to State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, three school districts in the 49^th Senate District have secured grants to support student learning.

“Libraries are full of learning and provide educational opportunities for young minds, which is why it’s crucial we push for grants like this,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We need to keep school libraries modern and properly equipped so all students have access to resources that further enhance their academic journey.”