SHOREWOOD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is offering congratulations to over 200 local high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

“Over the past year, our students were faced with more things working against them than they deserved,” Loughran Cappel said. “Despite these obstacles, they excelled through a global pandemic, and I am so proud of their progress.”

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

Scholars from the 49^th District include students from five area high schools, including Oswego High School, Joliet Catholic Academy, Plainfield Central High School, Plainfield East High School, Plainfield North High School.

“As a mother and former educator, I know just how crucial quality schools are to a young person’s growth,” Loughran Cappel said. “We are lucky to live in an area served by schools with such an excellent track record fostering successful students.”

Recipients of the award will receive a congratulatory letter from ISAC, and a Certificate of Achievement will be sent to their high school. State Scholars will also receive a digital badge issued by ISAC that can be displayed on online profiles, exhibited on social media, and shared with prospective colleges and employers.

More information about the State Scholar program can be found at ISAC’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois children will receive additional consideration when prison sentence length is determined for an expectant or current mother under a proposal from State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood), which passed the Senate Thursday.

“The absence of a mother can have devastating effects on the development of young children,” Loughran Cappel said. “Stunting their growth because of the poor decisions of a parent is irresponsible.”

To discourage further disruption of families caused by a parent going to jail, Loughran Cappel’s initiative creates a weighing factor for courts to consider when determining the imprisonment time of pregnant women or women with young children in their care.

SPRINGFIELD – A plan sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) that would improve financial preparedness among Illinois students passed the Senate Wednesday.

“The existing gap between students who feel prepared to do their own taxes or make investments and those who do not is glaring,” Loughran Cappel said. “Making sure students have the ability to learn real-life skills that are applicable in adulthood needs to be a priority.”

Senate Bill 1830 would allow either one year, or a semester, of a financial literacy course to count toward the social studies requirement to graduate high school.

In a study conducted by USA TODAY, of those who attended college, only 41% said they received enough information in college to build good financial habits and 30% said their high school education did so. When asked what they wish they had learned more about in school, financial topics were at the top of the list.

“It’s clear that we need to do more to provide our kids with incentives to take classes that can pay dividends for the rest of their adult lives,” Loughran Cappel said. “Passing legislation like this is simply one way to accomplish that and I look forward to seeking additional ways to help our kids grow.”

The legislation will now be considered before the House.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois judges would be encouraged to consider the negative consequences children at home could face when determining imprisonment length for an expectant or current mother under an initiative that passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee Tuesday.

State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is the lead sponsor of the legislation.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to bring missing persons suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia home safely, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) moved a resolution out of the Senate State Government Committee Wednesday urging increased use of Silver Search programs. 

“Effectively using Silver Search programs can play a vital role in locating a missing loved one,” Loughran Cappel said. “It is crucial to take advantage of every resource we have at our disposal.”

SHOREWOOD – Legislation led by Senator Meg LougHran Cappel (D-Shorewood) that is aimed at addressing a glaring gap in financial preparedness among Illinois students passed through the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.

“One of the primary goals of our state’s education system is preparing students to lead fulfilling, successful adult lives,” Loughran Cappel said. “Part of that is knowing what to do with your money and practicing good financial habits. These key life skills, which can be carried for a student’s entire life, deserve to be promoted in our schools.”

PLAINFIELD – To give local students the opportunity to have their artwork displayed in the state capitol, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) launched an art contest.

“As a freshman legislator, the process of decorating my office in Springfield is ongoing, but it won’t be complete without a few pieces of home,” Loughran Cappel said. “It is my hope that this contest will inspire local students to showcase their talent and creativity.” 

This art competition is open to all students in the 49^th Legislative District, and will be divided into three categories: elementary, middle school and high school. All entries must include the student’s name, grade and school. Students can mail their artwork to 2009 S. Route 59, Plainfield, IL 60586. The deadline to submit an entry is May 15.

After entries have been received, they will be narrowed down to the top three pieces in each category. Loughran Cappel will then post a poll on her official Facebook account, where students and residents will be able to choose the winners. The poll will close May 25 at 5 p.m. and the winners will be announced shortly after. The winners will have their work displayed in Loughran Cappel’s Springfield office for the next year.

For questions related to the art contest, Loughran Cappel encourages residents to call her office at (815) 267-6119 or visit www.senatorloughrancappel.com to submit questions via email.

PLAINFIELD – The Oswegoland Park District Nature Preschool has received an Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Grant to fund a pollinator garden at the school, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Plainfield) announced. 

“Kids learn best through hands-on experience, so this grant opportunity is a great way to give them that opportunity,” said Loughran Cappel, who was a teacher prior to becoming senator. “This project will benefit both the kids who get to learn about Illinois habitats and the wildlife species the garden will attract.”