JOLIET – To provide residents with a secure option for shredding documents containing personal information, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel is hosting a free shred event next week.

“Securely discarding vulnerable documents is a strong effort to protect yourself and your family from identity fraud,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Many of us have piles of old, unnecessary documents cluttering our homes, and I encourage families to take advantage of this free community event to safely dispose unwanted papers containing personal information.”

Loughran Cappel is hosting a free shred event with Representative Natalie Manley next Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. – noon. The event will be in the parking lot of Joliet Public School District 86 administrative building, located at 420 N. Raynor Ave. People should enter off Taylor Street.

Examples of documents with personally identifiable information that should be safely discarded include bank statement, outdated medical records, tax returns, utility bills, junk mail, credit card applications and receipts. Residents are encouraged to attend and bring no more than two boxes of documents. No electronics will be accepted.

People with questions about either event can contact Loughran Cappel’s office at 815-267-6119.

SHOREWOOD – Whether people have questions about state resources or feedback on legislative priorities, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel enjoys meeting with residents of the 49^th District. To further connect with the community, Cappel is hosting a Coffee and Conversation event as well as traveling office hours.

During a Coffee and Conversation event on Thursday, Oct. 13, Cappel invites the community to join her at the White Oak Library District: Romeoville branch to discuss any thoughts or concerns they may have.

“In order for me to be an effective leader of the community, it’s pertinent I meet with people face-to-face and take in their needs, desires and concerns,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “I have found the best way to connect with residents is through making myself accessible as often as possible. I look forward to joining residents for a cup of coffee and candid conversations.”

The Coffee and Conversation event will be held Thursday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the White Oak Library District: Romeoville Branch, 201 Normantown Rd.

Each monthly Coffee and Conversation serves as an open forum for community members to engage in informal conversations with the senator and each other about issues facing the region and the state.

The following week – on Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Cappel encourages people to stop by the library to meet with a member of her office to receive assistance with state and local resources.

The events are free and open to area residents. Those with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Loughran Cappel’s Plainfield office at 815-267-6119 or visit her website at www.SenatorLoughranCappel.com.

SHOREWOOD – Millions of Illinoisans are waiting to receive their tax rebates as part of the Illinois Family Relief Plan. State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel is reminding residents they can easily check their rebate status online.

 “These rebates will provide millions of residents with much-needed financial relief,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “People should be getting their paychecks any day now, and finding out the status of the rebate is simple.

Supported by Loughran Cappel, the Illinois Senate championed Senate Bill 157, which provides millions of Illinois taxpayers with financial relief – including direct tax rebates. The rebates began to roll out Sept. 12, leaving many to wonder why they have yet to receive their relief.

People who filed taxes you will automatically receive their rebate – otherwise they have until Oct. 17 to do so. To check the status of a rebate, people can click here and select “Where’s My Rebate?” A person will need to have your IL-PIN number to check the status. To find an IL-PIN number, click here and select “IL-PIN Inquiry.”

Under the law, people who filed 2021 Illinois taxes are eligible to receive up to $700. Individual filers who make less than $200,000 will receive a $50 income tax rebate, and couples who make less than $400,000 will receive $100. Filers are also eligible for $100 per dependent, with a maximum of three. 

Additionally, people who paid property taxes in 2021 on their primary residence in 2020 – and make less than $250,000 individually or $500,000 jointly – are eligible for up to $300. The rebate will be equal to the property tax a resident was qualified to claim on their 2021 taxes.

“Rebates are on the way and will help with everyday needs, from buying gas to paying for childcare,” said Loughran Cappel. “If you still haven’t received your rebate, don’t fret. Check out your status online today.” 

For more information on how the funds will be dispersed or to see qualification criteria, people can visit tax.illinois.gov/rebates.

SHOREWOOD  – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel is announcing that school districts across the 49^th Senate District will receive nearly $206 million in funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“As an educator, I have seen firsthand that when schools are adequately funded, students have better outcomes,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “The additional funding allocated to schools across the area will provide more curriculum options, better facilities and other resources to help students learn and grow.” 

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, the number of special education or English language learners, among other factors. 

Some local schools that are set to see funding include:

• • • • • • • • Oswego CUSD 308: $89,022,359
              • Troy Community CUSD 30C: $5,251,688
              • Richland School District 88A: $1,156,239
              • Plainfield School District 202: $111,443,449

The Fiscal Year ‘23 budget invested an additional $350 million into student’s success through the evidence based funding model.

 “Illinois is a stand-out state when it comes to the way we fund our schools – working diligently to rid decades of systematic inequality,” said Loughran Cappel. “Evidence based funding ensures students are provided with quality education regardless of ZIP code.”

In total, schools in the area Cappel represents saw a total of $206 million in additional funding. For more information on the FY 23 evidence based funding distribution, people can visit isbe.net/Pages/EvidenceBasedFunding.