JOLIET – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) announced more encouraging news for local businesses recovering from the pandemic who have received grants in the latest round of Back to Business funding.

“The Back to Business program has already helped dozens of local businesses in our area,” Loughran Cappel said. “The people in our community rely on so many of these businesses every day, and I’m glad to see them recovering and thriving after the economic hit of the pandemic.”

The B2B program is providing millions of dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. The grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) advanced legislation through the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee Thursday that would require public water supply operators to notify all health care facilities served by the public water supply of a water disruption event.

“The loss of clean water can have a huge impact on hospitals and other health care facilities,” Loughran Cappel said. “Since Legionnaire’s disease can thrive in water pipes, it’s important we do all we can ensure the bacteria that causes it does not grow and spread in these facilities.”

Under Loughran Cappel’s legislation, water supply operators must send notices between 15 and 30 days before any planned water supply disruption event or within two hours after any unplanned disruption event to health care facilities, as well as to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Public Health. Operators must also post a notice on their website or social media page, if one exists.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) advanced legislation through the Senate Commerce Committee Thursday that would ensure customers get a discount when supermarkets put products on sale.

“Right now, shoppers are only seeing the final price of an item that’s being scanned at the supermarket,” Loughran Cappel said. “This leaves customers often confused as to whether or not they received their sale price because the screen only shows the final price.”

While retailers provide notice of discounts through various methods such as receipts, in-store promotions, advertisements, and price tags, there is nothing written in law concerning how prices and discounts are displayed during checkout. 

SHOREWOOD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) will host a Facebook Live with Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs on Tuesday, April 19 at 1 p.m. to share details about programs within the treasurer’s office, including the popular I-Cash program.

“The treasurer’s office has a great team that educates Illinoisans about their programs including helping people find their unclaimed funds,” Loughran Cappel said. “This online event will be an excellent resource for residents that may have unclaimed property, have questions about college savings, or are interested in learning more about our state’s investments.”

Frerichs’ office protects consumers by safeguarding more than $3.5 billion in unclaimed property, encouraging savings plans for college or trade school, increasing financial education among all ages, assisting people with disabilities save without losing government benefits, and removing barriers to a secure retirement.

“We know when we get money back in the hands of residents it does more good for our economy than sitting in a bank,” Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said. “If you cannot join us, please visit our website today at illinoistreasurer.gov/ICASH and find out if you or someone you know has cash or property to claim.”

The virtual event will be streamed live on Sen. Loughran Cappel’s Facebook page.