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.

JOLIET – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel’s Office will be traveling to the Joliet Public Library on Thursday, May 16 to increase accessibility to residents across the 49^th District.

“I urge folks in need of services to take advantage of our traveling office hours,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Being accessible to the community is crucial and I hope we can reach more community members with this event.”

The free event will be held on Thursday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Joliet Public Library, located at 3395 Black Rd. Coffee will be provided for attendees.

Staff from Loughran Cappel’s office will be onsite to offer assistance with state issues, provide resources and hear input from residents. Traveling office hours are hosted on different days, times and locations to improve accessibility.

For more information, residents can contact Loughran Cappel’s office at 815-267-6119 or visit www.SenatorLoughranCappel.com.

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.