Loughran Cappel: Local schools to receive over $19 million in evidence-based funding

• Education

CREST HILL – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel announced that seven school districts across the area will receive over $19 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years. 

“When we invest in our schools, we put our students first, ensuring a successful path toward a bright future,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Students in Will County deserve the best educational opportunities, and I’m glad to see we’re continuing to prioritize funding for our schools.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

Local schools set to receive funding through the formula:

• Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C: $133,969
• Richland School District 88A: $16,863
• Plainfield School District 202: $13,186,759
• Joliet Public School District 86: $4,337,711
• Joliet Township High School District 204: $609,869
• Chaney-Monge School District 88: $368,899
• Valley View Community Unit School District 365U: $857,329

The Fiscal Year 2024 budget invested $350 million in new funding into students’ success through the evidence-based funding model.

For more information on the FY 24 evidence-based funding distribution, visit the Illinois State Board of Education’s website.

Loughran Cappel to host traveling office hours in Plainfield

• Traveling Office Hours

CREST HILL – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel’s office will be traveling to the Plainfield Area Public Library on Tuesday, Aug. 29 to increase accessibility to residents throughout the 49th District.

“My office is here to assist residents with any issues, share state resources and more,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “I want residents to know that their voices are heard and concerns are addressed.”

The event will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Plainfield Area Public Library located at 15025 S. Illinois St. in Plainfield.

This free event is another effort from Loughran Cappel’s office to increase government accountability, accessibility and assist with state resources by hosting office hours at different times, locations and days of the week to reach working families across Will and Kendall Counties.

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

Loughran Cappel to host teacher forums, encouraging open dialogue with educators

• Teachers

Upcoming forums:

• Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 4:15 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 1 at 4:15 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 3 at 4:15 p.m.

CREST HILL – Continuing her support for education, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel is hosting a series of teacher forums to hear feedback and work collaboratively with educators across the 49^th District. 

“As a former special education teacher, I’m a strong advocate for our teachers,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “I spent 15 years in the classroom. I understand the importance of hearing educators’ concerns and finding the best solutions to set up our students up for a bright future.”

Loughran Cappel’s forums aim to address the issues teachers face in the classroom, ensure they have the tools and resources available to effectively do their job, and set students on a path of success.

The forums are held at Loughran Cappel’s district office located at 20660 Caton Farm Road, Unit D in Crest Hill.

RSVP by calling the district office at 815-267-6119.

Residents are encouraged to reach out to Loughran Cappel’s office with questions.

Loughran Cappel encourages families, teachers to take advantage of back to school tax benefits

CREST HILL – As students return to the classroom, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel is reminding families that they may be able to claim school expenses for their K-12 students on their 2023 Illinois individual income tax returns. 

“Getting kids ready for school can be a financial burden for families,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “There are programs available that can put money back in your pockets. I encourage families and teachers to take advantage of these resources to help cut down on back-to-school costs.”

The Illinois Education Expense Credit allows parents or legal guardians of a full-time K-12 student to take a 25% tax credit on qualified education expenses over $250 this year. The total credit may not exceed $750, regardless of the number of qualifying students.

Qualified educational expenses include tuition, book rental and lab fees in excess of $250 paid to the school where the student is enrolled on a full-time basis. For home schooled students – book rental and lab fees greater than $250 are eligible when attending a qualified home school program.

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