Turner advances measures in response to murder of Sonya Massey

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the murder of Sonya Massey, State Senator Doris Turner is leading two measures that advanced out of the Senate Executive Committee Thursday.

“Sonya’s tragic murder brought to light the unjust hiring practices within the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “The legislative measures come from conversations with state and county officials, law enforcement and community members. We have to take the necessary steps to ensure this never happens again.”

Senate Bill 1953 would require law enforcement agencies to conduct a more comprehensive review of a prospective officer’s past employment to ensure his or her physical and psychological fitness for duty as a police officer before making an offer of employment. To ensure the highest degree of integrity and professionalism in the hiring process of sheriff’s deputies and other personnel, the legislation would expand the creation of sheriff’s merit boards and sheriff’s merit commissions for counties with a population of at least 75,000.

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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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