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  4. Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News

Lawmakers unveil legislative efforts to overcome mental health challenges in Illinois

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Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Thursday, March 10, 2022 11:29 AM
  • Slideshow
  • Mental Health
  • SB3617
  • SB3889

MLC presser 031022SPRINGFIELD – In response to a deepening mental health crisis across the state, Senate Democrats hosted a press conference in Springfield on Thursday highlighting legislative efforts that would prioritize mental health support for individuals in Illinois.

“Staying mentally well should be given the same priority as keeping physically fit,” State Senator Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) said. “To achieve this, we need to enact policies to maintain good mental health on top of treating mental illness.”

Loughran Cappel spearheaded legislation – Senate Bill 3889 – in the Senate to add a council within the Children’s Mental Health Partnership in Illinois.

Read more: Lawmakers unveil legislative efforts to overcome mental health challenges in Illinois

Loughran Cappel resolution declares February as Career Technical Education Month

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Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Friday, February 25, 2022 02:11 PM
  • Career and Technical Education Month
  • Loughran Cappel
  • February
  • SR 698

Senator Loughran Cappel

 

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate supported an effort led by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) to declare February Career Technical Education Month in Illinois.

“CTE Month celebrates the importance of career and technical programs across the state and raises awareness to the trades,” Loughran Cappel said. “Students that go into a skilled trade learn life-changing skills through hands-on opportunities and training. I’m proud to draw attention to this important career path that has jumpstarted so many bright futures.”

Approximately 12.5 million high school and college students are enrolled in CTE courses across the country. Advance CTE reports that the high school graduation rate for CTE concentrators is about 90%– 15 percentage points higher than the national average.

Read more: Loughran Cappel resolution declares February as Career Technical Education Month

Loughran Cappel legislation providing teachers with mental health days passes Senate

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Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Friday, February 25, 2022 12:38 PM
  • Mental Health
  • Education
  • Loughran Cappel
  • SB3914

Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to include mental health absences as a reason for an excused absence, championed by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood), passed the Illinois Senate Friday.

“I have always been a firm believer that mental health is every bit as important as physical health, especially during my time as a special education teacher,” said Senate Education Committee Vice-Chair Loughran Cappel. “Our teachers’ well-being is critical to their ability to perform their jobs well, and that’s why I’m advocating for teachers to be able to take time off when they’re sick physically and mentally.”

Under Loughran Cappel’s measure, the school board of each school district would be required to include mental health as part of their current negotiated sick days for full time employees of the district. This legislation would allow teachers to use two of their days as mental health days, and that if a teacher needs three or more mental health days, the school district would require a note from a mental health professional.

“Teachers play an important role in the lives of children, and it is important their mental health is supported to prevent issues that would affect their teaching performance,” Loughran Cappel said. “It’s vital that we give our teachers the time they need to unplug and focus on their mental well-being.”

Senate Bill 3914 moves to the House for further consideration.

Senate approves Loughran Cappel measure to create Children Mental Health Council

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Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Thursday, February 24, 2022 03:31 PM
  • Mental Health
  • Loughran Cappel
  • Children's Mental Health
  • SB 3889

Senator Loughran-Cappel

 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) advanced legislation out of the Senate to create a Children’s Mental Health Council in Illinois.

The council would provide recommendations to the governor and General Assembly each year regarding children with mental health conditions and behavioral disabilities.

“As a former special education teacher in Joliet, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of addressing our children’s mental health,” Loughran Cappel said. “I am proud to be the Senate sponsor of this legislation to address this issue and help our students and their families better cope with their mental health conditions.”

Read more: Senate approves Loughran Cappel measure to create Children Mental Health Council

Loughran Cappel co-sponsored legislation to expedite professional licenses advances to House

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Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Friday, February 18, 2022 03:18 PM
  • Professional Licenses
  • Loughran Cappel
  • State Licenses
  • SB 670

Senator Loughran-Cappel

 

SPRINGFIELD – A measure co-sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) to require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to issue state licenses in four weeks passed the Senate.

“We have a variety of professionals waiting months for their licenses to be issued by the state, which is delaying them from getting to work” Loughran Cappel said. “By expediting the licensing process, we are making life and finances just a little easier for our vocational workers.”

The legislation was introduced after hearing word from local residents that the professional licensing process was taking too long. Under the legislation, IDFPR will be required to process applications within four weeks as long as there were no deficiencies submitted. The measure would expedite licenses for health care workers, accountants, speech pathologists and other professionals.

Read more: Loughran Cappel co-sponsored legislation to expedite professional licenses advances to House

Loughran Cappel advances legislation to overcome teacher shortages

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Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Wednesday, February 16, 2022 05:37 PM
  • Teacher Shortage
  • Loughran Cappel
  • Substite Teachers
  • SB3915

mlc 021622SPRINGFIELD – Legislation spearheaded by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) to waive application fees for short-term substitute teaching licenses cleared the Senate Wednesday.

“As a parent and former teacher, I believe we have an obligation to ensure our children have access to a high-quality education,” Loughran Cappel said. “A student’s education should not stop when their teacher is sick or unable to be in the classroom, which is why we need to simplify the process for qualified individuals to substitute teach.”

Read more: Loughran Cappel advances legislation to overcome teacher shortages

Loughran Cappel invites area residents to attend Romeoville Coffee and Conversation

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Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Thursday, February 10, 2022 03:20 PM
  • Loughran Cappel
  • Coffee & Conversation
  • Romeoville

Cappel CoffeeConvo 022822

 

ROMEOVILLE – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is inviting Romeoville residents to attend her February Coffee and Conversation event on Monday, Feb. 28.

“These casual events provide the perfect opportunity for constituents to meet with their elected officials,” Loughran Cappel said. “This is a great way to hear from community members first-hand and learn what is important to them.”

The event will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Romeoville Branch of the White Oak Library located at 201 Normantown Rd. in Romeoville.

Read more: Loughran Cappel invites area residents to attend Romeoville Coffee and Conversation

Loughran Cappel advances measure to help schools confront teacher shortages

Details
Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Tuesday, February 08, 2022 05:03 PM
  • Education
  • Teacher Shortage
  • Loughran Cappel
  • SB3915

cappel 020822SPRINGFIELD – Application fees may soon be waived for short-term substitute teaching licenses under a plan by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) that advanced out of the Senate Education Committee Tuesday. 

“Staffing is one of the most important, if not the most important, challenges that our schools are facing during this awful pandemic,” said Senate Education Committee Vice-Chair Loughran Cappel. “We have a responsibility to do all we can to ensure our students have access to teachers, and it’s my goal to get them there.”

Read more: Loughran Cappel advances measure to help schools confront teacher shortages

More Articles ...

  1. Loughran Cappel: Budget proposal is promising for education
  2. Loughran Cappel works to declare February Career and Tech Education month
  3. Loughran Cappel invites residents to virtual educational workshop on fraud prevention
  4. Loughran Cappel kicks off 2022 Traveling Office Hours in Shorewood

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