PLAINFIELD – To lift up area residents in need of a helping hand this holiday season, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is hosting a collection drive to benefit Guardian Angel Community Services until Nov. 30.

Loughran Cappel’s district office located at 2009 S. Route 59 in Plainfield will serve as a drop off location until the end of the collection drive.

“Giving back is small way we can all make a big difference in our community,” Loughran Cappel said. “While you are out shopping this holiday season, take a moment to think of our neighbors who may need some extra assistance during these cold months.”

A few high-demand items include:

• Ladies’ winter jackets (all sizes)
• Children’s hats/gloves/scarves (all sizes)
• Ladies’ hats/gloves/scarves (all sizes)
• Mini first aid kits
• Ladies’ long sleeve t-shirts (all sizes)

For a complete list of items, visit www.SenatorLoughranCappel.com or the Guardian Angel Community Services website at www.gacsprograms.org.

There will also be opportunities for those interested in donating to drop off items with Loughran Cappel and her staff at her Joliet Coffee and Conversation on Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. in Meeting Room F at the Joliet Public Library – Black Road Branch (3395 Black Rd., Joliet) and Oswego Traveling Office Hours on Thursday, Nov. 18 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.at the Oswego Public Library (32 W. Jefferson St., Oswego).

For more information about Guardian Angel Community Services visit www.gacsprograms.org.

PLAINFIELD –  State Senator Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is urging area residents, organizations and students to work together to write letters to veterans’ homes residents ahead of Veterans Day this year.

“Our heroes and their loved ones have sacrificed so much to protect our democratic values and freedoms,” Loughran Cappel said. “I urge folks to take a few minutes out of their day to drop a quick note in the mail to show appreciation to our veterans.”

Operation Rising Spirit is an initiative of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs that encourages communities to write letters to residents in the care of veterans’ homes in Illinois. At a time when isolation is at a record high, the letters are meant to extend friendly affirmation for the bravery and courage of veterans both throughout their service and the pandemic.

The effort was first launched in 2020 ahead of Veterans Day in November. The letter-writing campaign will focus on the veterans’ homes in Illinois, located in Anna, Chicago, LaSalle, Manteno, and Quincy.

“Writing a letter may only take a few minutes but can change the day of any veteran for the better,” Loughran Cappel said. “This is a small gesture that can go a long way in honoring and recognizing the importance of our brave veterans’ dedication to our great nation.”

To send a message to a veteran or a veteran home, visit Send-a-note. Locations for each of the veterans’ homes in Illinois can be found here, where letters can be mailed.

PLAINFIELD – To increase college accessibility and affordability, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel            (D-Shorewood) is excited to announce that college-bound students can apply to all Illinois public universities through Common App.

The governor’s office and Illinois Board of Higher Education worked with the Illinois General Assembly to utilize $1 million in funding to add all public schools and a dozen private universities to the Common App system.

“Streamlining the college application process will help us keep Illinois’ best and brightest in state,” Loughran Cappel said. “Expanding opportunities for our students will help encourage them to choose Illinois’ higher education facilities as the next step in their academic journey.”

For students and families concerned about the cost of applying for college, waivers are available for low-income Common App applicants. Some colleges and universities either have no application fees or will waive fees if needed.

SPRINGFIELD – October is now known as Manufacturing Month in Illinois, thanks to State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.

Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) served as chief cosponsor of Senate Resolution 581, which allows Illinois to join other large manufacturing states in the nation to acknowledge the contributions manufacturers make to the state’s economy.

“I am glad to join the Senate in celebrating the women and men who work tirelessly to keep the shelves of our grocery stores stocked, equip our health care workers with the tools to keep Will County’s residents healthy and safe, and keep Illinois strong,” Loughran Cappel said.

Manufacturing generates more than $304 billion in economic output, which contributes the largest share of any industry in to the state’s gross domestic product. Manufacturers employ 550,000 women and men in Illinois at an average salary of $88,691, providing $52 billion in wages and benefits.

Senate Resolution 581 was adopted with bipartisan support.