PLAINFIELD – To help people stay safe this winter season, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is urging drivers to utilize Getting Around Illinois to preview road conditions before traveling.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is debuting an improved road conditions map this year, which can be viewed at www.GettingAroundIllinois.com.

“The winter months bring unpredictable and possibly dangerous road conditions,” Loughran Cappel said. “If weather forecasts are not optimal, please check this vital resource to help you and your family stay safe and prepared during your holiday travels this year.”

Instead of continuing to display conditions by county, the revamped map will show how weather events are impacting roads under the jurisdictions of the more than 120 snow-and-ice team sections that work out of IDOT facilities throughout the state.

Road conditions on interstates and U.S. routes, which carry the most traffic in the state, will also be given priority reporting status and appear more boldly on the map.

A short video on how to utilize the map and review conditions can be viewed here. 

PLAINFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel’s office will be traveling to the Oswego Public Library on Thursday, Nov. 18 from 11:30 a.m.— 12:30 p.m. to increase accessibility to residents throughout the 49^th District.

Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) hosts traveling office hours every month at different locations and times of day to increase the availability of state assistance and informational resources.

“As we get ready for the next legislative session, it is vital that we take the opportunity to sit down and discuss issues that matter the most to our community and state,” Loughran Cappel said. “The work we do every day is guided by the opinions and input of area residents.”

Loughran Cappel urges residents unable to attend the monthly office hours to reach out to her office at 815-267-6119 or visit her website www.SenatorLoughranCappel.com to take her legislative survey.

PLAINFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is inviting Joliet residents to attend her November Coffee and Conversation event on Tuesday, Nov. 16.

“We had a busy veto session and discussed many issues important to residents of the 49^th District,” Cappel Loughran said. “I look forward to meet and chat with people across our community about what we accomplished and what the future holds.”

The indoor event will be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in Room F at the Joliet Public Library – Black Road Branch located at 3395 Black Dr. in Joliet.

This is the third Coffee and Conversation Loughran Cappel has hosted this fall. It is another effort from Loughran Cappel’s office to increase government accountability and accessibility by hosting this traveling event at different times, locations and days of the week in hopes of reaching working families across Will and Kendall Counties.

Loughran Cappel is also collecting items to benefit Guardian Angel Community Services. Residents can drop off donations during the event or at Loughran Cappel’s Plainfield Office located at 2009 S. Route 59 in Plainfield until Tuesday, Nov. 30.

Some items in high-demand include ladies winter jackets in all sizes, children’s and women’s gloves, hats and scarves, mini first aid kits and ladies’ long sleeve t-shirts. There is a complete list of items on her website.

“As you kick off your holiday shopping, please keep organizations like Guardian Angel Community Services in mind,” Loughran Cappel said. “This is one small way we can help lift up members of our community and lend them a helping hand.”

People with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Loughran Cappel’s Plainfield office at 815-267-6119 or visit her website at www.SenatorLoughranCappel.com.

PLAINFIELD – To lift up area residents in need of a helping hand this holiday season, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is hosting a collection drive to benefit Guardian Angel Community Services until Nov. 30.

Loughran Cappel’s district office located at 2009 S. Route 59 in Plainfield will serve as a drop off location until the end of the collection drive.

“Giving back is small way we can all make a big difference in our community,” Loughran Cappel said. “While you are out shopping this holiday season, take a moment to think of our neighbors who may need some extra assistance during these cold months.”

A few high-demand items include:

• Ladies’ winter jackets (all sizes)
• Children’s hats/gloves/scarves (all sizes)
• Ladies’ hats/gloves/scarves (all sizes)
• Mini first aid kits
• Ladies’ long sleeve t-shirts (all sizes)

For a complete list of items, visit www.SenatorLoughranCappel.com or the Guardian Angel Community Services website at www.gacsprograms.org.

There will also be opportunities for those interested in donating to drop off items with Loughran Cappel and her staff at her Joliet Coffee and Conversation on Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. in Meeting Room F at the Joliet Public Library – Black Road Branch (3395 Black Rd., Joliet) and Oswego Traveling Office Hours on Thursday, Nov. 18 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.at the Oswego Public Library (32 W. Jefferson St., Oswego).

For more information about Guardian Angel Community Services visit www.gacsprograms.org.