CREST HILL – With strong support from State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, the Villages of Shorewood and Plainfield and Plainfield Township Park District are set to receive over $1.2 million for land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects.

“Our neighborhood parks are a part of our community,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Investing in local parks provides a place for people to gather, enjoy and explore. We can see the benefits from spending time outside at parks such as reducing stress, lowering blood sugar and overall better physical health.”

Nearly $60 million in grants were awarded to 118 local parks across Illinois through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants, administered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This announcement includes the largest round of grants in the 36-year history of the program.

The Village of Shorewood will receive $600,000, the Village of Plainfield will receive $284,500 and the Plainfield Township Park District is set to receive $377,500 to acquire and develop land for public parks and open space. OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that has become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois.

Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website for more information on the OSLAD grants.

SPRINGFIELD – The achievements and accomplishments of Career and Technical Education programs across the state will be recognized this February under a measure sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel that passed the Senate Thursday.

“College isn’t for everyone and I want graduating seniors to know about the practical, affordable, career-focused options that trade schools provide,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Trade schools open the door for additional career opportunities that can help students achieve their goals and build a successful future for themselves.”

Senate Resolution 85 declares February as Career and Technical Education Month in Illinois. Under the resolution, high school educators and counselors will be encouraged to assist each student to determine an appropriate post-secondary plan based upon their skills, strengths and goals and help them implement the best practices that improve career readiness after high school so that they can find an appropriate pathway.

CTE offers education and advanced training to support high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand occupations, including careers in health care, information technology, agriculture, finance and education. About 12 million high school and college students are enrolled in CTE across the nation. Advance CTE reports that the high school graduation rate for students who concentrate on CTE is about 90% – 15 percentage points higher than the national average.

“National research shows students with 3 or more CTE classes in high school are far more likely to persevere in college and obtain a degree if they choose to pursue a college education,” said Brian Gordon, Director of Three Rivers Education for Employment System. “Career and Technical Education coursework keeps students in school by involving students in engaging work and authentic assessment.  It also teaches critical thinking and problem solving in "real world" situations.”

Senate Resolution 85 was adopted by the Senate Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Loughran Cappel sees a strong framework that would make key investments for Illinois’ education systems outlined in the governor’s proposed budget.

The proposed budget includes $250 million to prepare children to be lifelong learners and strengthen students’ futures by providing greater opportunities from birth to college.

“As a former special education teacher, I know the importance of getting kids in the classroom at an early age,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “I’ve heard a number of stories from parents that encounter barriers to sending their kids to early childhood programs. It’s time for us to prioritize a child’s education from a young age so they can have every opportunity to learn more as they get older.”

The proposal also continues the commitment of a $350 million increase to the Evidence-Based Funding model for K-12 education to help Illinois students succeed in the classroom.

Increased funding to make college more affordable for working families through the MAP grant program was proposed – a move Loughran Cappel believes is vital for students who want to pursue higher education.

Additionally, the proposal includes building the teacher pipeline by providing funding for teacher recruitment and retention.

“I have been a devoted advocate for all levels of education and teachers even before I was state senator,” Loughran Cappel said. “We have to provide the much needed resources for students so they can go to school without leaving a financial burden on themselves or their families and ensure that teachers can efficiently and successfully do their jobs. This proposal provides a framework that we can work through to prioritize education for all.”

Workforce development and Career and Technical Education investments are also included in the budget proposal, setting up Illinois’ workforce for the jobs of tomorrow.

Loughran Cappel serves as chair of the Senate Appropriations-Education Committee for the 103rd General Assembly. The committee will work through the budget process to allocate funding for early education, K-12 education and higher education across the state.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel has been appointed to chair the Senate Appropriations-Education Committee to ensure Illinois schools are adequately funded.

“As a special education teacher, I believe my work in the classroom has given me the perspective to understand what teachers need to do their job and succeed,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “I’ve been a devoted advocate for teachers for many years. I want to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used wisely when funding our schools for the benefit of our students and education professionals.”

Loughran Cappel entered the professional world as a special education teacher. In 2015, Loughran Cappel became a union representative for her school’s teacher’s union — AFT-IFT Local 604 – to support other educators and help them have meaningful careers. In 2017 she served on the Joliet High School Board, where she worked to improve school safety and technical problems within the district.

Loughran Cappel previously served as a member of the Senate Education Committee and will continue serving on that committee.

“My job as an elected official is to be straightforward and honest with constituents and residents across the state,” said Loughran Cappel. “With this new position, I will work to increase government transparency and accountability with the state’s fiscal responsibility to fund our schools. I look forward to working for our educators and believe that my career has given me the tools to be successful in this new role.”

To see a full list of Loughran Cappel’s committee assignments, click here.