SPRINGFIELD – To continue her fight to address the teacher shortage, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel championed a measure that would remove the number of days short term substitute teachers can be in the classroom and application fees for teaching licenses, which passed the Senate Thursday.

“As a former special education teacher, I know the struggle of finding substitute teachers, especially with the ever-growing teacher shortage,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “I’ve heard from superintendents in the 49^th District and across the state that are desperately trying to find substitute teachers. This is one step we can take to further address the teacher shortage.”

Senate Bill 2236 would remove the number of days for short-term substitute teachers to teach in the classroom – allowing them to spend more time in the classroom if needed. Current law prohibits short term substitute teachers from teaching more than 15 consecutive days per licensed teacher.

The Loughran Cappel-led measure also removes application fees for teaching licenses. The current application fee for professional educator licenses and educator licenses are $100, substitute teaching license are $50 and short term substitute teaching license are $25.

“Teachers work every day to educate our kids,” Loughran Cappel said. “We have to remove the barriers schools are facing and streamline the process as we continue fighting to end the teacher shortage.”

Senate Bill 2236 passed the Senate with a vote of 57-0 and now heads to the House of Representatives. 

SPRINGFIELD – Consumers would be given clear notice before they enter contracts that automatically renew under a measure State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel supports.

“Many of us have subscriptions from streaming services to phone contracts,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Most contracts are regularly renewed, often times without clear consent. Consumers need to be aware before they are automatically renewed.”

Senate Bill 328 would require businesses to give notice to consumers before a contract renews. The Loughran Cappel-backed measure would also allow consumers to terminate automatic renewal contracts more easily by phone or online – something that is often not offered by companies. Businesses that offer free trials or reduced one-time offers must also provide notice before the promotional period ends.

“We can’t let big businesses continue to take advantage of consumers by automatically subscribing them,” Loughran Cappel said. “Closing the loopholes many find a way around increases transparency for consumers.”

Senate Bill 328 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and awaits further consideration before the full Senate.

CREST HILL – The Village of Romeoville is set to receive nearly $160,000 to support workers impacted by plant or mine retirements established under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act with strong support from State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.

“The communities affected by CEJA, like Romeoville, deserve investments to help ease the transition to a limited emissions energy economy,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We have to uplift the local economies that were impacted and continue investing so our working families aren’t left to fend for themselves.”

The $40 million program was designed to meet the needs of individual localities by addressing the economic and social impacts of plant closures. The $158,155 coming to Romeoville can be used on a variety of initiatives and investments, including workforce initiatives, housing support, business attraction efforts and more.

As part of the program, Romeoville will develop detailed plans for the grant funding – which includes stakeholder engagement, a detailed project design and budget which outlines specific intended uses for the funds. The community stakeholder engagement process is a critical element designed to ensure grantees solicit community input and consult with a diverse set of stakeholders to best support those most impacted by energy transitions.

To learn more about the Energy Transition Community Grant Program, click here.

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

“Water is basic need for everyone,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Ensuring Crest Hill has access to Lake Michigan’s water supply is vital. This initiative would help the city for decades to come.”

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.

Senate Bill 347 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.

“Addressing the local issues that our community face is my top priority,” Loughran Cappel said. “This measure would be a win for the residents of the 49^th District.”

Senate Bill 347 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and heads to the floor for further consideration.