SHOREWOOD – Legislation that would end the practice of burdening family members of deceased utility customers with early termination fees unanimously passed the Senate Commerce Committee Thursday.

State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is the lead sponsor of the measure.

“As most of us unfortunately know, losing a loved one is emotionally and financially taxing,” Loughran Cappel said. “People in this circumstance have suffered enough and should not be shouldered with additional costs following a loss.”

House Bill 122 would end early termination fees for utility customers who died before the end of a contract.

“This is a simple way we can continue to look out for the best interests of consumers in Illinois,” Loughran Cappel said.

This legislation will now be considered before the full Senate.

SHOREWOOD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is offering congratulations to over 200 local high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

“Over the past year, our students were faced with more things working against them than they deserved,” Loughran Cappel said. “Despite these obstacles, they excelled through a global pandemic, and I am so proud of their progress.”

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

Scholars from the 49^th District include students from five area high schools, including Oswego High School, Joliet Catholic Academy, Plainfield Central High School, Plainfield East High School, Plainfield North High School.

“As a mother and former educator, I know just how crucial quality schools are to a young person’s growth,” Loughran Cappel said. “We are lucky to live in an area served by schools with such an excellent track record fostering successful students.”

Recipients of the award will receive a congratulatory letter from ISAC, and a Certificate of Achievement will be sent to their high school. State Scholars will also receive a digital badge issued by ISAC that can be displayed on online profiles, exhibited on social media, and shared with prospective colleges and employers.

More information about the State Scholar program can be found at ISAC’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – To honor those who have died in work zones, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is encouraging residents of the 49^th District to “Go Orange” for Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, April 26-30.

“Work zone accidents are more often than not the result of careless driving,” Loughran Cappel said. “By ‘Going Orange,’ we are committing to creating a safe work environment for those dedicated individuals playing a key part in rebuilding Illinois. I am thankful to members of the organizations from around the state that are contributing to this necessary awareness campaign.”

In 2019, the most recent year statistics are available, 842 people were killed and 39,100 injured in work zone crashes nationally. Illinois averages 6,400 crashes in work zones each year, resulting in 1,700 injuries and 34 deaths. More than 9 out of 10 deaths are someone other than a worker,

“Seeing orange is a powerful reminder that all crashes, injuries and deaths, not just those in work zones, are almost always avoidable,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “We are grateful to the organizations that are taking part in this effort to ‘Go Orange’ and help IDOT and its partners drive the number of fatalities to the only acceptable number – zero.” including drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Visit IDOT’s Work Zone page for more information.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois children will receive additional consideration when prison sentence length is determined for an expectant or current mother under a proposal from State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood), which passed the Senate Thursday.

“The absence of a mother can have devastating effects on the development of young children,” Loughran Cappel said. “Stunting their growth because of the poor decisions of a parent is irresponsible.”

To discourage further disruption of families caused by a parent going to jail, Loughran Cappel’s initiative creates a weighing factor for courts to consider when determining the imprisonment time of pregnant women or women with young children in their care.

The proposal was the result of discussions between the Senate Women’s Caucus and First Lady MK Pritzker. Both seek to pass legislation addressing the effects incarceration has on families.

“Prioritizing the needs of our kids when deciding the outcome of trials is common sense,” Loughran Cappel said. “I am thankful to my colleagues for their support on this initiative.”

Senate Bill 1566 now moves to the House for consideration.