SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is pleased with the Fiscal Year 2023 budget and tax relief plan, which passed the Senate Saturday. The budget prioritizes working families and provides them with relief following two years of financial distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 “As families prepare to send their children back to school this fall, more than 95% of taxpayers will receive a one-time tax refund,” Loughran Cappel said. “This will give parents relief knowing they’ll be receiving a check to help them with the associated costs.”

This relief plan will also help families with back-to-school shopping by creating a state sales tax holiday on school supplies and clothing from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14 of 2022. Additionally, it gives teachers a tax credit of up to $500 for supplies bought for their classrooms.

SPRINGFIELD – To honor law enforcement officers across the state, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel’s (D-Shorewood) proposal to make the week of May 15 to May 21, 2022 Police Appreciation Week in Illinois was adopted by the Senate Friday.

“Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect and serve the residents in our communities,” Loughran Cappel said. “They help prevent crime and provide assistance to those in need and deserve our recognition and support.”

Loughran Cappel’s proposal would recognize the dedication and sacrifice of local, state, and federal police officers and their service to the state. Additionally, the families of the state’s law enforcement officers deserve to be duly recognized for their endless sacrifices and commitment to keeping Illinois neighborhoods safe and ensuring the general welfare of society.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to reduce recidivism, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) championed a measure to help fund mental health and substance use prevention services for incarcerated individuals and people scheduled for release from the criminal justice system.

“So many issues surrounding recidivism and our criminal justice system are rooted in mental health and substance use disorders,” Loughran Cappel said. “Ensuring our local governments can help people where it is most needed will benefit not just the incarcerated individuals, but also the community as a whole.”

Under Loughran Cappel’s plan, House Bill 4364 would create the Fund Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention Fund to create grants for local governments and public universities to provide mental health and substance use prevention to people who are incarcerated.