SHOREWOOD – School districts in the 49th District are set to receive $127 million in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) announced Wednesday.

“Over the course of the last year, teachers, students, and parents have gracefully made the best of an impossible situation. Every single one of them deserves a tremendous amount of credit for their perseverance,” Loughran Cappel said. “This funding will allow us to address difficulties that plagued our school districts last year and effectively plan for the future.”

The funding comes as part of the most recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

Local school districts are set to receive the following amounts:

• Joliet Public School District 86 - $42,595,457
• Oswego Community Unit School District 308 - $10,768,168
• Troy Community Consolidated School District 30C - $4,304,161
• Richland School District 88A - $1,701,605
• Plainfield School District 202 - $21,456,858
• Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204 - $12,261,096
• Valley View Community Unit School District 365U - $34,857,485

The majority of the funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, which gives local schools a great deal of flexibility in how they can use the money over the next 3 ½ years. At least 20% of the funding must be used to address learning loss, but beyond that, school districts can use the money to address many different issues and costs. For example, it can be used to better equip schools for safe learning, to prevent layoffs, to address students’ social and emotional needs, to fund summer programs, or to ensure all students have access to reliable Wi-Fi and technology.

The State Board of Education, in collaboration with other state agencies that address education, has produced a guide for local school districts to help them decide how to best use their resources. While the guide and other state-sponsored services are completely voluntary, the state aims to support local districts during this difficult time.

“To the teachers, para educators, social workers, coaches, and everyone else who made the school year possible: thank you,” Loughran Cappel said. “We owe you a debt of gratitude and look forward to a hopefully seamless 2021-2022 school year.”

In total, Illinois received nearly $7 billion to support local school districts.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation led by Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) that is aimed at addressing a glaring gap in financial preparedness among Illinois students passed through the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.

“One of the primary goals of our state’s education system is preparing students to lead fulfilling, successful adult lives,” Loughran Cappel said. “Part of that is knowing what to do with your money and practicing good financial habits. These key life skills, which can be carried for a student’s entire life, deserve to be promoted in our schools.”

Senate Bill 1830 would allow either one year, or a semester, of a financial literacy course to count toward the math requirement to graduate high school.

In a study conducted by USA TODAY, of those who attended college, only 41% said they received enough information in college to build good financial habits and 30% said their high school education did so. When asked what they wish they had learned more about in school, financial topics were at the top of the list.

Currently, in order to receive a high school diploma, students must take three years of mathematics which must include one year of algebra I, one year that includes geometry content, and one year of either algebra II or Advanced Placement computer science. SB 1830 would add a financial literacy class to the list of courses that count toward the three year requirement.

The measure now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.

PLAINFIELD – To give local students the opportunity to have their artwork displayed in the state capitol, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) launched an art contest.

“As a freshman legislator, the process of decorating my office in Springfield is ongoing, but it won’t be complete without a few pieces of home,” Loughran Cappel said. “It is my hope that this contest will inspire local students to showcase their talent and creativity.” 

This art competition is open to all students in the 49^th Legislative District, and will be divided into three categories: elementary, middle school and high school. All entries must include the student’s name, grade and school. Students can mail their artwork to 2009 S. Route 59, Plainfield, IL 60586. The deadline to submit an entry is May 15.

After entries have been received, they will be narrowed down to the top three pieces in each category. Loughran Cappel will then post a poll on her official Facebook account, where students and residents will be able to choose the winners. The poll will close May 25 at 5 p.m. and the winners will be announced shortly after. The winners will have their work displayed in Loughran Cappel’s Springfield office for the next year.

For questions related to the art contest, Loughran Cappel encourages residents to call her office at (815) 267-6119 or visit www.senatorloughrancappel.com to submit questions via email.

Hazardous road conditions cause spike in roadside crashes

WILL COUNTY – To help keep first responders safe while they assist motorists on the side of the road, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Plainfield) and State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) are reminding residents to reduce speed, switch lanes if possible and drive cautiously when emergency lights are visible.

"Scott's Law means move over for emergency vehicles, which is especially important with the winter weather conditions we're currently experiencing," Loughran Cappel said. "I am grateful the trooper involved in the accident in Will County has been released with non-life-threatening injuries, and I urge drivers to move over and drive slowly when passing emergency vehicles to prevent further tragedy." 

According to the Illinois State Police, District 5 covering Will County is investigating the second Scott’s Law-related crash in just a week. The first occurred on Feb. 15 while a trooper was assisting drivers on Interstate 55 northbound near US Route 30, and the trooper was airlifted to a local area hospital with serious injuries. The second crash happened on Feb. 16 while a trooper was responding to an accident on Interstate 80 over Interstate 55. The trooper sustained non-life-threatening injuries and has been released from hospital care.