SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to recognize and honor Illinois veterans, State Senator Loughran Cappel led a measure that would allow the Secretary of State to issue United States Submarine Veterans special license plates.

“After hearing from a number of constituents, I saw the reason this was important to submarine veterans,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We have to honor the sacrifices all our veterans have made and this is one way we can show our support.”

House Bill 1581 would allow the Secretary of State to issue United States Submarine Veteran license plates to Illinois residents who served in the United States Navy as a submariner. New York and Connecticut offer similar submarine service license plates.

The Illinois Secretary of State's Office offers a number of different specialty license plates. Requests for these license plates can be accepted at Driver Services Facilities.

“Our armed forces uproot their lives, leave their families and head off to fight for our country and we can’t thank them enough for that,” Loughran Cappel said.

House Bill 1581 passed the Senate with bipartisan support.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase access to state resources, State Senator Loughran Cappel passed a measure through the Senate that would create a program for grandparents raising their grandchildren in Will County to have a better understanding of what state programs are available.

“Grandparents frequently assume the role of raising their grandchildren,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood).  “However, many people are unaware of the various resources available to them. This initiative aims to simplify the process and provide caregivers with a local point of contact to access the resources they need.”

House Bill 780 would create the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Pilot Program in Will County. The measure would require the Senior Services Center of Will County to designate an intake coordinator to collect resources offered by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Human Services, Department on Aging, Department of Healthcare and Family Services and State Board of Education, and provide coordination and education services at Senior Service Centers to serve Will County residents.

Loughran Cappel’s measure requires the intake coordinator to be knowledgeable about the Extended Family Support Program, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, Children’s Health Insurance Program and be a designated point of contact at each agency within 14 days of appointment.

An annual report would be required to be submitted to the General Assembly including the number of families who received referrals to relevant services, specific services each family was referred to and received, and related information regarding frequency of calls and visits to the coordinator's office in the previous calendar year.

“Together, Leader Natalie Manley and I worked to increase access to resources so Will County residents can better understand what is available for those who are raising their grandkids,” Loughran Cappel said.

House Bill 780 passed the Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure Crest Hill residents have clean drinking water, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel spearheaded a measure that would construct a Lake Michigan water receiving station, which passed the Senate Thursday.

“We have to provide residents with clean drinking water,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “This is necessary for Crest Hill to have access to Lake Michigan’s water supply. This is an easy solution that would have a lasting effect on the city.”

Crest Hill's switch to Lake Michigan as a source of treated water supply needs to be finished by the end of 2029. The new water supply operation would be able to serve both the city's water system pressure zones and would be capable of meeting all of its water supply needs.

House Bill 2097 would authorize the City of Crest Hill to buy the land that would be used in the construction of a Lake Michigan water station. The proposed site for the water receiving station is on land owned by the Illinois Department of Corrections, which is near the city's largest water customer, Stateville Correctional Center.

“My top priority is addressing the local issues that affect our community,” Loughran Cappel said. “The residents of Crest Hill deserve to have clean drinking water.”

House Bill 2097 passed the Senate and now heads to the governor’s desk.

SPRINGFIELD – To uplift Illinois veterans, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel led a measure through the Senate that would waive fees for veterans adopting dogs or cats.

“Everyone deserve companionship and many have a special bond they share with their animals,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “The benefits pets can give veterans has improved their health and overall happiness.”

Across the state, pet adoption fees vary widely depending on the organization, ranging from $50 to $275. Loughran Cappel’s measure would require animal shelters and animal control facilities to waive the adoption fee for military veterans in Illinois.

For our returning troops, the benefits of bonding with a pet is important to aiding the transition back to civilian life. The bond created between people and animals can reduce grief, lessen loneliness, and improve mental health and overall well-being. Pets have the ability to improve the lives of veterans and, likewise, veterans can improve the lives of sheltered animals by giving them a home.

“This is a small way to show our veterans we appreciate them and the sacrifices they have made,” said Loughran Cappel.

House Bill 2500 passed the Senate on Thursday.