Lake Springfield Center Park receives funding thanks to Turner

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner helped secure nearly $200,000 to make updates and improvements, including the addition of a new public boat dock, at Lake Springfield Center Park.

“Investing in the Lake Springfield Center Park will bring new life to the community with a dock and canoe launch, while also making necessary infrastructure improvements,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “When it comes to putting our community first, investments like this build a strong foundation for residents to enjoy.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources awarded four grants totaling nearly $670,000 through the Illinois Boat Access Area Development Program to help local governments create boat and canoe access areas on Illinois lakes and rivers.

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Turner sends measure banning loud commercials to House

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to curb program viewers’ discomfort and annoyance, State Senator Doris Turner led a measure through the Senate that would ban loud commercials on streaming services.

“It’s frustrating when you’re watching a show, and it cuts to a commercial that is much louder than the show you were watching,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “This problem is all too familiar, especially for parents who have kids who nap, seniors and individuals with hearing sensitivity.”

The Federal Communications Commission preempts most state and local regulation of cable or broadcast television, but streaming services operate over the internet and fall outside that scope. Senate Bill 3222 would prohibit commercials from being played louder than the programming on video streaming services, directly improving viewership experiences.

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Turner: We need to set students up for future success in the workforce, no matter their disability

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is leading a measure to increase awareness of work incentives for students with a disability by requiring schools to share informational materials with parents and guardians.

“Students with disabilities deserve to know the career options that are available to them,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We have to ensure families and students have the support to guide the journey to work and greater independence.”

The Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program is a federally funded initiative created to help individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance and/or Supplemental Security Income make informed choices about employment. House Bill 4581 would require informational materials on the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program to be provided to a student and the student's parent or guardian at both the initial transition planning meeting convened for a student with a disability by the school district and during the student's final year in high school.

Turner’s measure specifies that school districts would be required to collaborate with the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program servicing their area to determine the process of obtaining and disseminating informational materials. There are three active cooperative agreements in place for eligible beneficiaries who are residents of Illinois, including Volunteers of America of Illinois, Disability Rights Iowa and the Illinois Assistive Technology Program.

“By providing more information on employment opportunities for students with disabilities, we are opening a door to build a strong career plan,” said Turner. “We need to set students up for future success in the workforce, no matter their disability.”

House Bill 4581 passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.

Turner works to strengthen school policies for students with service animals

SPRINGFIELD – To support all students, no matter their needs, State Senator Doris Turner championed a measure through the Senate to strengthen school policies that protect access to service animals for students with disabilities.

“We need to make sure students with service animals don’t face setbacks because of a lack of understanding or awareness of the law,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We have a responsibility to make sure all students feel welcome at school.”

Students who need service animals in order to equally access public schools are protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Turner’s proposal, Senate Bill 2761, would set the tone for school environments that value diversity and inclusion by adding training on the proper handling of service animals in the school setting to the ADA training teachers, administrators and school support personnel already receive.

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