SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) joined her colleagues in the Senate and police advocates Monday to unveil a legislative package aimed at supporting law enforcement officers and improving the state’s criminal justice system.

“Each day our police officers serve our communities with courage and bravery,” Loughran Cappel said. “These brave men and women continuously show up for us, and that’s why my colleagues and I have introduced legislation to address public safety issues facing our communities today.”

To help promote fair compensation across the state, House Bill 4228 requires a county sheriffs’ salary to equal at least 80% of the county’s state’s attorney’s salary. House Bill 3863 creates the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Fund to support departments through the hiring and training processes and help retention strategies.

SPRINGFIELD – Building upon the commitment to budget in a responsible, equitable way that benefits communities in all corners of the state, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is proud to support a $1.8 billion tax relief plan that would put money back in people’s pockets.

“Too many working families struggle to afford the growing cost of raising children,” Loughran Cappel said. “That’s why my colleagues and I have brought forth this plan to help Illinois families get money back in their pockets.”

The plan outlined Friday would directly deliver relief checks valued at $100 per person and $50 per child to state taxpayers making $250,000 individually or $500,000 jointly – sending money to 97% of taxpayers. A household of four could see a $300 check. Taxpayers could also see an additional $300 property tax relief check – a proposal mirrored after Governor JB Pritzker’s budget proposal.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure reducing the registration fee for older Illinoisans passed the Senate Thursday under legislation sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood).

“Rising prices are squeezing people’s budgets across the state, and putting an especially difficult financial strain on older residents,” Loughran Cappel said. “This legislation offers a reduction in cost for a vehicle fee for older adults living on a limited income.”

The measure would reduce the vehicle registration fee for vehicle owners and their spouses from $24 to $10 if they qualify or have been approved for benefits under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability Property Tax Relief Act.

SPRINGFIELD – After the Illinois State Board of Education reported an increase in cases of college students substitute teaching on a temporary license, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) advanced a plan through the Senate that would expand the pool of substitute teachers.

“Substitute teachers are in high demand and short supply, and that has left school districts scrambling to find different ways to ensure students are being educated and supervised throughout the day,” Loughran Cappel said.

Under Loughran Cappel’s measure, currently-enrolled Illinois students in the field of education who have at least 90 credit hours would be able to obtain a substitute teaching license. By giving them creditable hours for this on-the-job training, more students will be able to substitute teach, and schools will have additional resources for finding temporary, short-term teachers.