SPRINGFIELD – To improve career readiness after high school, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) supported a resolution in the Senate urging high school educators and counselors to promote career and technical education.

“When students and families are thinking about a post-high school education, trade schools are not always considered a viable option,” Loughran Cappel said. “It’s vital that we create opportunities for students to learn about additional career opportunities that they can succeed in.”

Under the resolution, high school educators and counselors would be encouraged to assist each student to determine an appropriate post-secondary plan based upon their skills, strengths and goals and help them implement the best practices that improve career readiness after high school so that they can find an appropriate pathway.

“The reality is that trade schools are a practical, affordable, career-focused option for many graduating seniors,” Loughran Cappel said. “This resolution will set students up for success by giving them the guidance they need to determine the best career plan after graduation.”

Senate Resolution 834 was adopted by the Senate Thursday.

OSWEGO – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel’s (D-Shorewood) office will be traveling to the Oswego Public Library on Tuesday, March 22 to increase accessibility to residents throughout the 49th District.

“We hold these traveling office hours so the services my office can provide are brought directly to my constituents’ own communities,” Loughran Cappel said. “These events give residents a more convenient way access my staff and me for legislative services.”

The event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at the Oswego Public Library located at 32 W. Jefferson Street in Oswego.

This free event is another effort from Loughran Cappel’s office to increase government accountability and accessibly through hosting this traveling event at different times, locations and days of the week in hopes of reaching working families across Will and Kendall Counties.

People with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Loughran Cappel’s Plainfield office at 815-267-6119 or visit her website at www.SenatorLoughranCappel.com.

SPRINGFIELD – In response to a deepening mental health crisis across the state, Senate Democrats hosted a press conference in Springfield on Thursday highlighting legislative efforts that would prioritize mental health support for individuals in Illinois.

“Staying mentally well should be given the same priority as keeping physically fit,” State Senator Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) said. “To achieve this, we need to enact policies to maintain good mental health on top of treating mental illness.”

Loughran Cappel spearheaded legislation – Senate Bill 3889 – in the Senate to add a council within the Children’s Mental Health Partnership in Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to include mental health absences as a reason for an excused absence, championed by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood), passed the Illinois Senate Friday.

“I have always been a firm believer that mental health is every bit as important as physical health, especially during my time as a special education teacher,” said Senate Education Committee Vice-Chair Loughran Cappel. “Our teachers’ well-being is critical to their ability to perform their jobs well, and that’s why I’m advocating for teachers to be able to take time off when they’re sick physically and mentally.”

Under Loughran Cappel’s measure, the school board of each school district would be required to include mental health as part of their current negotiated sick days for full time employees of the district. This legislation would allow teachers to use two of their days as mental health days, and that if a teacher needs three or more mental health days, the school district would require a note from a mental health professional.