IL Senate District 49: Cappel Vs. McCullagh

JOLIET, IL — After eight years as the 49th District State Senator, Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant is running for Will County Executive. One of the Joliet region's most well-known politicians, the Shorewood Democrat has endorsed Meg Loughran Cappel to take her seat.

Cappel is facing Shorewood Republican Tom McCullagh in the Nov. 3 election. In March, McCullagh faced no opposition in his GOP primary, while Cappel won a three-person battle, obtaining roughly 60 percent of the vote. Cappel defeated Joliet City Councilman Larry Hug, as well as Bolingbrook challenger Michael Crowner.

Cappel has worked as a Joliet District 86 public school teacher, and she was elected to the Joliet Township High School Board in 2017.

According to her candidate profile, Cappel's grandfather, Francis J. Loughran, was a trial attorney and advocate for those in and around Will County.

"Meg was inspired by her grandfather's legacy and became a special-education teacher, providing a voice for students with special needs. She has long been dedicated to inclusive environments for students to learn and thrive," her candidate profile notes. "Meg recognizes the need for ethical leadership in Springfield. Her own leadership, advocacy and passion have been demonstrated throughout her career, and will continue as she uses her voice in Springfield for the 49th district."

Cappel contends that if she's elected by the 49th District voters, she will be a strong champion for public education in Springfield.

Cappel is a member and former union representative with American Federation of Teachers Local 604, a part of the Sunday morning teaching team at Legacy Vineyard Community Church and a member of the Shorewood Chamber of Commerce.

"As a mother, school board member, teacher, and local business owner I understand the challenges our communities face when it comes to high property taxes, equity in our educational system, and access to quality, affordable healthcare. My goal in Springfield will be to give a voice to the 49th District's constituents and to fight for their priorities," Cappel announced earlier this year.

The 49th Legislative District includes all of or part of the communities of Aurora, Bolingbrook, Boulder Hill, Channahon, Crest Hill, Joliet, Montgomery, Naperville, Oswego, Plainfield, Romeoville and Shorewood.

According to his campaign website, McCullagh alerts voters that "A vote for me is a vote for a strong Republican watch dog for the tax payers." He also said he is a faithful supporter of the Second Amendment as well as a strong opponent to socialism and communism in any form.

McCullagh is a small business owner who "will fight to make better use of the tax dollars we send to the state by restoring sound fiscal management of all state programs and cutting waste where I find it," he states on his website. "These are essential steps to take prior to reducing the tax burden shouldered by working families and the businesses who employ them."

McCullagh has been a major champion for Joliet area bars and restaurants during the pandemic.

Back in September, he blasted Governor J.B. Pritzker and called for an immediate end to the governor's imposition of a ban on all indoor guests for Joliet and Kankakee area bars and restaurants. McCullagh does not trust the coronavirus data put out by the governor.

"I spent many years inside the restaurant industry and everyday they are used to sanitizing, cleaning, food control and safety issues," McCullagh declared at the news conference. "I feel restaurants should be open and that a lot of the restaurants that were closed down for months are now hanging on by a hair and we need to let people feel it's their own personal safety if they want to go and get some steak or if they want to get food, let people go out and get food. Let those business owners have the opportunity to save their family business."

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Meg Cappel Will Be An Outstanding Senator: Dickinson

Joliet Teacher Will Run For Bertino-Tarrant's Seat