SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed legislation to help get more teachers in the classroom, continuing her commitment to address the ongoing teacher shortage across Illinois.

“As we face a teacher shortage, it’s important we give aspiring teachers the support and encouragement they need,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We have to act now to get teachers their licenses so they can get in the classroom and start shaping our future generations.”

House Bill 5057 would allow applicants for teacher licenses to take content area tests before, during and after student teaching. Loughran Cappel’s measure aims to ensure applicants can receive their license in a timely manner.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) released the following statement in response to the Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget:

“I voted for a responsible budget that meets the needs of the residents of the 49^th District. Key investments laid out in this plan will bring more jobs, rebuild our infrastructure and boost our local economy.

“As chair of the Senate Appropriations-Education Committee, I’ve been committed to ensuring we make the necessary investments in our education system while prioritizing educators and students. We made a commitment to adequately fund our schools, and that’s what this budget does.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel championed a measure that will address background check delays at childcare facilities across Illinois.

“Illinois has been committed to setting kids up to be lifelong learners, giving youth a quality education at an early age,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We can’t do that when background checks are taking so long. We are losing qualified early education teachers.”

House Bill 4412 would allow a childcare facility, non-licensed service provider, day care center, or home-based day cares to use a third-party vendor licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for the required fingerprinting that is part of the application process for facility licensure and as a condition of employment.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a measure through the Senate Licensed Activities Committee Wednesday that addresses background check delays at childcare facilities across the state.

“I continue to hear about delays with the state’s licensing process,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “As we face a shortage of qualified early education teachers, we have to take the necessary steps to speed up the process.”

House Bill 4412 would allow a childcare facility, non-licensed service provider, day care center, or home-based day cares to use a third-party vendor licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for the required fingerprinting that is part of the application process for facility licensure and as a condition of employment.

Loughran Cappel’s initiative aims to reduce delays to prevent qualified applicants from losing interest and seeking employment elsewhere. Currently the background check process takes between six and 12 weeks to receive results.