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Loughran Cappel works to crack down on cyberbullying via AI technology

Details
Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Thursday, May 15, 2025 10:41 AM
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cyberbullying
  • HB3851
  • AI

Senator Cappel speaks on the Senate floor. SPRINGFIELD – In response to the growing trend of bullying that uses artificial intelligence to create and distribute sexually explicit materials, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a bill through committee that further expands the definition of cyberbullying and addresses the use of bullying by artificial intelligence in the school code. 

“With artificial intelligence on the rise, we are seeing a lot more cyberbullying scenarios that deal with altered, harmful images,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “It’s essential for our students and families to know that although there may be good uses for AI, it can also be a harmful tool and there will be consequences for students if it’s used inappropriately.”

Read more: Loughran Cappel works to crack down on cyberbullying via AI technology

Loughran Cappel works to remove statute of limitations for child trafficking

Details
Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Thursday, May 08, 2025 10:07 AM
  • Human Trafficking
  • Criminal Law
  • Loughran Cappel
  • HB 2602

HB26021

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a measure out of committee that would allow individuals trafficked or exploited as minors more time to bring forth charges.

“The victims of crimes like these can take time to come forward because of trauma or other hardships,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Eliminating the time restriction would help ensure survivors can tell their story when they feel ready, not when the law says so.”

House Bill 2602 would extend the time limit for filing criminal charges in cases of forced labor, trafficking or related offenses by allowing charges to be brought at any time if the victim was under 18 years old when the crime occurred.

Read more: Loughran Cappel works to remove statute of limitations for child trafficking

Loughran Cappel measure strengthens emergency response actions in schools

Details
Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Wednesday, May 07, 2025 12:34 PM
  • Substitute Teachers
  • Emergency Response Training
  • HB1787

cappel 050725SPRINGFIELD – To ensure all educators, including substitute teachers, know what to do in case of an emergency at school, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a bill out of committee that requires them to be trained in evacuation and lockdown procedures.

“Parents send their children to school expecting their teacher to know what to do if there’s an emergency,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Ensuring every teacher, substitute or full-time, is trained for emergency response situations is the logical thing to do.”

Read more: Loughran Cappel measure strengthens emergency response actions in schools

Loughran Cappel advocates for special education teachers

Details
Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Friday, April 11, 2025 11:23 AM
  • Loughran Cappel
  • Special Education
  • Teachers
  • SJR 2

State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel

SPRINGFIELD – To address concerns about high caseloads that may hinder the ability of special education teachers to provide individualized care, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel presented a resolution to the Senate Wednesday.

“I know firsthand how hard special education teachers work to support their students’ diverse learning needs,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “When more caseloads are being piled onto educators, reduced effectiveness and burnout is inevitable.” 

Senate Joint Resolution 2 would direct the Illinois State Board of Education and the Professional Review Panel to conduct a study on the impact of implementing maximum caseloads for special education teachers. The resolution requests ISBE to submit a report of their findings to the General Assembly and governor by Dec. 31, 2026.

Read more: Loughran Cappel advocates for special education teachers

Loughran Cappel receives Illinois Chamber’s Bridge Builder Award

Details
Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Monday, November 04, 2024 10:26 AM
  • Loughran Cappel
  • Chamber's Bridge Builder Award

LCappelCREST HILL – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel received the Bridge Builder Award from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s an honor to receive the Bridge Builder Award from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Supporting Illinois’ businesses has always been one of my top priorities. As a small business owner, I understand the challenges businesses face. It’s important to work collaboratively with my colleagues in the General Assembly to continue uplifting businesses across Illinois.”

The Bridge Builder Award recognizes two legislators from each chamber, one from each caucus, who display a willingness and effectiveness in reaching across the aisle to work together to make Illinois a more attractive place to conduct business.

Read more: Loughran Cappel receives Illinois Chamber’s Bridge Builder Award

Loughran Cappel law allows career and technical education teachers to be granted tenure

Details
Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Tuesday, July 02, 2024 12:19 PM
  • CTE Teachers
  • Tenure
  • SB463

cappel 070224SPRINGFIELD – Career and technical education teachers will now be granted tenure under a new law sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.

“I’ve been a strong advocate for CTE, which gives students the opportunity to receive a hands-on academic experience,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “With the ongoing teacher shortage, we need to ensure CTE teachers receive the benefits they are entitled to and deserve.”

Senate Bill 463 allows CTE teachers to be granted tenure if they have a license with credentials. Loughran Cappel’s law aims to expand tenure eligibility from only educators with a Professional Educator License to include CTE teachers.

Read more: Loughran Cappel law allows career and technical education teachers to be granted tenure

Loughran Cappel law prioritizes all special education students

Details
Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Monday, July 01, 2024 03:39 PM
  • ISBE
  • SB3606
  • Special Education Reimbursement

cappel 070124SPRINGFIELD – Funding for special education students will be more equitable under a new law sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel that creates a fair reimbursement rate for special education day schools.

“Since joining the General Assembly, I have worked to ensure all special education students receive a quality education in the least restrictive environment,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “With this law, all special education day schools will see equitable funding opportunities, no matter the student’s placement.”

Senate Bill 3606 equalizes the reimbursement rate received by public school districts from the Illinois State Board of Education when sending high-needs special education students to private and public special education day schools.

Read more: Loughran Cappel law prioritizes all special education students

Delays reduced in childcare employment process under Loughran Cappel measure

Details
Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 02:09 PM
  • Background Checks
  • Child Care Centers
  • HB4412

cappel 052224SPRINGFIELD – 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.

Read more: Delays reduced in childcare employment process under Loughran Cappel measure

More Articles …

  1. Loughran Cappel fights to reduce delays in childcare employment process
  2. Loughran Cappel measure prioritizing all special education students heads to the House
  3. Loughran Cappel passes measure to ban shipping e-cigarettes
  4. Loughran Cappel fights for equal funding for special education students
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