SPRINGFIELD – Legislation spearheaded by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) to waive application fees for short-term substitute teaching licenses cleared the Senate Wednesday.

“As a parent and former teacher, I believe we have an obligation to ensure our children have access to a high-quality education,” Loughran Cappel said. “A student’s education should not stop when their teacher is sick or unable to be in the classroom, which is why we need to simplify the process for qualified individuals to substitute teach.”

According to the Illinois State Board of Education, there are more than 4,000 unfilled positions in schools. In an attempt to address the void, Loughran Cappel’s plan would waive the application fee for short-term substitute teaching licensees when the governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) and several state senators joined the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association and the Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council Thursday to unveil a package of proposals to support, fund and provide law enforcement officers with resources to serve and protect communities.

“Our law enforcement officers do an outstanding job of serving our communities, but bear the burden of the state’s criminal justice system,” said Loughran Cappel. “My colleagues in the Senate and I are committed to working with the Illinois Sheriff’s Association and the Fraternal Order of Police to provide a safety package that addresses the pressing public safety issues facing our communities today.”

The package aims to provide solutions to several of the problems law enforcement officers are facing including assisting departments with new grant opportunities, providing departments with additional tools to investigate crimes and helping departments utilize resources to address inmate mental health concerns.

ROMEOVILLE – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is inviting Romeoville residents to attend her February Coffee and Conversation event on Monday, Feb. 28.

“These casual events provide the perfect opportunity for constituents to meet with their elected officials,” Loughran Cappel said. “This is a great way to hear from community members first-hand and learn what is important to them.”

The event will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Romeoville Branch of the White Oak Library located at 201 Normantown Rd. in Romeoville.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) to create a Children’s Mental Health Council passed the Senate Behavioral & Mental Health Committee Tuesday.

The proposal – Senate Bill 3889 – would create a council that would provide recommendations to the General Assembly each year regarding children with mental health conditions and behavioral disabilities.

“As a state, we need to raise our level of ambition to support children’s mental health,” Loughran Cappel said. “The goal of this legislation is to give our children living with mental health conditions a voice to be heard by their state officials.”

The council would be tasked with collaborating to gain a better understanding of residential and emergency placements children experience and how the state can provide better support for children with mental health issues. 

Loughran Cappel’s proposal passed the committee 9-0.