PLAINFIELD – To increase college accessibility and affordability, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel            (D-Shorewood) is excited to announce that college-bound students can apply to all Illinois public universities through Common App.

The governor’s office and Illinois Board of Higher Education worked with the Illinois General Assembly to utilize $1 million in funding to add all public schools and a dozen private universities to the Common App system.

“Streamlining the college application process will help us keep Illinois’ best and brightest in state,” Loughran Cappel said. “Expanding opportunities for our students will help encourage them to choose Illinois’ higher education facilities as the next step in their academic journey.”

For students and families concerned about the cost of applying for college, waivers are available for low-income Common App applicants. Some colleges and universities either have no application fees or will waive fees if needed.

SPRINGFIELD – October is now known as Manufacturing Month in Illinois, thanks to State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.

Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) served as chief cosponsor of Senate Resolution 581, which allows Illinois to join other large manufacturing states in the nation to acknowledge the contributions manufacturers make to the state’s economy.

“I am glad to join the Senate in celebrating the women and men who work tirelessly to keep the shelves of our grocery stores stocked, equip our health care workers with the tools to keep Will County’s residents healthy and safe, and keep Illinois strong,” Loughran Cappel said.

Manufacturing generates more than $304 billion in economic output, which contributes the largest share of any industry in to the state’s gross domestic product. Manufacturers employ 550,000 women and men in Illinois at an average salary of $88,691, providing $52 billion in wages and benefits.

Senate Resolution 581 was adopted with bipartisan support.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois first responders will now be honored on Oct. 28, thanks to the help of State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.

Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) championed a measure that declares Oct. 28, 2021 First Responders Day in Illinois.

“Every day, our first responders and their families make sacrifices to serve a cause greater than themselves,” Loughran Cappel said. “This resolution is one small step we can take to highlight and honor our heroes.”

Loughran Cappel served as chief cosponsor of Senate Resolution 534 which declares Oct. 28, 2021 as First Responders Day in Illinois. The federal government has also declared the date as National First Responders Day.

“I will continue to work to ensure our first responders receive the recognition and resources they deserve for their dedication to our communities,” Loughran Cappel said. “I urge residents to thank our first responders year round for their endless sacrifices to preserving our safety.”

Senate Resolution 534 was adopted with bipartisan support.

PLAINFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is thrilled to see small businesses across the 49th District are set to receive nearly $400,000 to help them bounce back from the pandemic.

Seven businesses in the district will receive grants from the latest Back to Business program. The B2B program allocated $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations such as staff and overhead costs.

“Our local businesses are the cornerstone of our communities,” Loughran Cappel said. “These funds will help struggling business owners bounce back from this awful pandemic.”
Loughran Cappel urges residents to eat and shop at local businesses this holiday season.

“Shop, eat and think local this holiday season if you can,” Loughran Cappel said. “Not only are these great ways to support our local businesses – keep in mind the money remains in our community when you buy local.”

For a full list of businesses that have received Back to Business grants, visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awards page at illinois.gov/B2BAwards.