Turner law designates soybean as official state bean

SPRINGFIELD – The soybean is now the official state bean of Illinois, thanks to a new law led by State Senator Doris Turner.

“Decatur is the soybean capital of the world,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “When designating state symbols, we have to recognize the impact the agriculture industry has on our economy and the number of jobs it creates.”

House Bill 4439 designates the soybean as the official state bean of Illinois. According to the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois is the No. 1 soybean-producing state in the country, with 15% of all U.S. soybeans being produced in Illinois.

"As the largest soybean-producing state, we commend Senator Doris Turner and the General Assembly in passing House Bill 4439 to recognize the importance of soybeans to Illinois agriculture," said Illinois Soybean Association Chairman Ron Kindred.

House Bill 4439 was signed into law Friday.

Turner invites Decatur residents to upcoming senior fair

DECATUR – State Senator Doris Turner is inviting residents to attend a senior resource fair on Tuesday, April 22.

The event will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at Decatur Public Library, located at 130 N. Franklin St. in Decatur. It is free and open to the public.

“The upcoming event will give seniors a one-stop shop to learn more about state and local resources available in our community,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “People will have the opportunity to get information to help them stay safe, informed and healthy.”

Seniors will be able to ask questions and obtain information from a variety of service and health care providers, state programs and local groups.

People with questions can reach out to Turner’s office at 217-782-0228 or SenatorDorisTurner.com.

Turner advances measure to improve training for emergency medical dispatchers

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner passed a measure through committee to mandate training for emergency medical dispatchers on how to provide CPR instructions to someone experiencing cardiac arrest.

“We are losing too many of our friends and family to heart disease,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Ensuring that our emergency dispatchers are well-equipped to handle these situations will save lives.”

Senate Bill 1295 would mandate all 9-1-1 telecommunicators to be trained in telecommunicator-CPR and would require emergency medical dispatchers to be trained in T-CPR. T-CPR is when a dispatcher provides over-the-phone CPR instructions to someone experiencing cardiac arrest. This process is a key part of the chain of survival for cardiac arrest.

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Turner to host mobile DMV event

DECATUR – State Senator Doris Turner State is hosting a mobile DMV event in Decatur, which will give area residents the opportunity to access some DMV services at a location in the community, rather than visiting a typical facility.

“We all know going to the DMV is something you often put on the backburner but the Mobile Unit makes the whole process easy,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Spots are filling up fast, so please make an appointment as soon as you can.”

The event will be held on Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Children’s Museum of Illinois – located at 55 S. Country Club Rd. in Decatur. Appointments are required, limited to 48 people, and must be made by calling Turner’s office at 217-782-0228. Walk-ins are not guaranteed service.

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