SPRINGFIELD – Teachers will be ensured fair compensation without financially burdening school boards under a new law backed by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel. 

“As a former teacher, I have continuously worked to uplift the education profession and will always be a voice for our teachers,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We have to recruit and retain qualified teachers. Without adequately adjusting their salary, we are losing good teachers to another profession.”

The Loughran Cappel-supported law establishes the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability as the agency responsible for adjusting the teacher minimum salary in accordance with annual increases in inflation rates.

The law addresses concerns related to potential higher pension contributions resulting from increased minimum teacher salaries. It ensures that school boards will not be penalized for fulfilling their obligation to provide competitive compensation to teachers.

“Inflation has affected all of us,” said Loughran Cappel. “This is a step forward to promoting fairness, stability and excellence in education by fairly compensating our teachers and supporting our school boards.”

House Bill 300 was signed into law and took effect immediately.

CREST HILL – With strong support from State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, a total of $280,000 was awarded to 11 local businesses in an effort to uplift and support the restaurant industry.

“Small businesses play a vital role in our communities by providing essential jobs and boosting our local economies,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We made a commitment to invest and support small businesses. This funding will continue to build back our restaurant industry for all to enjoy.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest hit industries. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has provided over $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

Eleven area restaurants across the 49th District will receive a combined total of $280,000 through this round of Back to Business grants.

“The Back to Business grant program continues to have a positive impact on small businesses,” said Loughran Cappel. “I will continue supporting our local restaurants, caterers and food trucks that are the backbone of our communities.”

A full list of awardees can be found here.

SPRINGFIELD – Hearing aids will be covered by insurance providers under a new law backed by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.

“People who need hearing aids shouldn’t have to pay high out-of-pocket prices,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “It’s essential to have access to devices that improve a person’s daily life.”

The new law requires insurers to provide coverage for everyone if their doctor prescribes a hearing instrument – which can cost up to $4,000. The law builds upon a 2018 measure that required insurance to cover hearing aids for children under the age of 18.

“Doctors prescribe hearing aids the same as they do medicine,” Loughran Cappel said. “We are removing the barriers for people to get hearing aids without worrying about the cost.”

House Bill 2443 takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.

SPRINGFIELD – Annual mental health wellness visits will be covered under a new law supported by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, a strong advocate for removing the stigma around mental health.

“Mental health checks can be as important as yearly physicals,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Society puts a lot of pressure on people. People need to have access to basic health care needs, including mental health care.”

The Loughran Cappel-backed law requires health insurance plans to cover annual mental health checkups and wellness visits starting in 2025. It also encourages the Illinois Department of Public Health to engage in an educational campaign to bring awareness to the public regarding mental health and wellness. These initiatives will continue to normalize prioritizing and treating mental health concerns, leading to greater well-being throughout the state.

“We have to fight to end the stigma,” said Loughran Cappel. “Easing access to mental health care will continue to normalize mental health checks, without leaving people to worry about the cost.”

House Bill 2847 was signed into law Friday.