Will County Gazette

State Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) has joined other Democrats in praising Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget for fully funding K-12 education and offering additional financial backing for need-based higher education grants. 

In a release Feb. 2, Loughran Cappel, vice-chair of the Senate Education Committee, said she is in support of prioritizing COVID-19 relief. 

“The pandemic has created many difficulties for families with school-aged children and adults seeking further education,” Loughran Cappel said in the release. “Now, more than ever, we must support educators and students — and this is a good starting point as we begin the budget process.”

According to a report by Shaw Local News Network, Loughran Cappel commended a proposed increase for the Monetary Award Program – a grant initiative that improves access to higher education for low-income students that does not need to be repaid or require test scores. Grant recipients from the Monetary Award Program are not limited to traditional students.

Under the proposal, the release states more than 24,000 additional students would be able to receive assistance.

In a separate statement, Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar  (D-Bolingbrook) highlighted the proposed budget’s focus on education and public safety. Among comments, she said the governor’s address underscores the need to pass a budget that properly funds schools, invests in public safety efforts and ensures access to adequate health care. With an emphasis on protecting essential services, Avelar said the government must ensure schools have the resources necessary so that children receive a quality education in a safe learning environment.