State Senator's Home Hit By Gunfire: 'This Was Not Politically Motivated'

SHOREWOOD, IL — Joliet area state senator Meg Loughran Cappel issued a Facebook announcement on Wednesday revealing that her home in Shorewood was one of the two homes in the community that were struck by gunfire early Tuesday morning. Several hours later, she posted an update comment letting everyone know that "as law enforcement continues to investigate, they have determined this was not politically motivated. Like I said, violence is never the answer and we must do what we can to ensure our communities are safe."

Loughan Cappel, a former Joliet Township High School District 204 school board member and former special education teacher with Joliet District 86, was first elected to office as a Democratic senator in 2020.

"In the early hours of Tuesday morning, my family and I experienced a deeply troubling incident when a shot was fired directly at our home. I am grateful to (Shorewood) Chief (Phil) Arnold, law enforcement investigators for their work detaining a suspect and working diligently to get to the bottom of this.

"My family and I are safe and I'm thankful that no one was hurt. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement as they continue their investigation. At times like these, I am reminded of how precious peace and safe are in our communities," Cappel declared.

On Tuesday afternoon, Shorewood police said a suspect was taken into custody in the shootings, but no other details have been released as of noon Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in response to a gunshot fired at the home of state Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, issued a statement of support for the senator.

“My thoughts are with Senator Cappel and her family as they recover from an unthinkable experience had in the place that’s supposed to feel safest — their home. I’m thankful no one was injured and have to thank Shorewood’s law enforcement for acting swiftly to secure any threat for residents and ensure that local families are safe and sound,” Manley announced her in press release sent to Joliet Patch. “In a time where hate and divisiveness are at an all-time high, we must continue to prioritize peace. Now more than ever, we need to recognize that violence isn’t and has never been the answer to any of our problems.”

Manley noted that she and Loughran Cappel jointly serve constituents in the Joliet, Plainfield and Romeoville areas.

According to her online bio, Meg Loughran Cappel grew up in Joliet and has deep family roots in the area. "Her grandfather, Francis J. Loughran, was a respected trial attorney and advocate for those in and around Will County. Inspired by her grandfather’s legacy of service and advocacy, Meg became a special education teacher to provide a voice for students with special needs. She has long been dedicated to fostering inclusive environments for students to learn and thrive."

In November 2024, voters re-elected the Shorewood Democratic incumbent as their state senator for Illinois's 49th District. She was opposed by Republican challenger Katie Deane-Schlottman and Cappel defeated her by double-digit percentage points.

The 49th State Senate District includes all or parts of Joliet, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Shorewood, Oswego, Crest Hill, Boulder Hill, Naperville, Montgomery, Aurora and Channahon.