SPRINGFIELD – Youth Career Pathways, a new program led by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, recently awarded Southwestern High School grant dollars to expand access to training and support services for youth ages 16-24.

“This is a great opportunity for students, and something that will ensure lasting positive effects right here in Central Illinois,” said State

Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield). “We must commit to diversifying our strategies in programming, school curriculum and instruction, especially for at-risk students. We can eliminate these unfortunate risk factors that threaten students’ academic progress if we create more stimulating learning environments.”

This year, through the expanded program, the state will prioritize youth in disproportionately impacted areas and who are at risk for dropping out and falling behind on career preparedness. This includes youth who reside in minority and rural communities.

Grant money will assist workforce providers across Illinois in increasing training that helps youths obtain marketable skills that prepare them for their future careers.

Applicants eligible for the program include community colleges, community-based organizations, workforce agencies, school districts and other entities with a demonstrated plan to serve the target populations with postsecondary training and credentialing.

SPRINGFIELD- The Decatur Park District has been selected to receive $57,500 in state dollars through the Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) announced Friday.

“This is a great investment for the city of Decatur, especially as we head into the warmer months of the year,” Turner said. “This grant creates an opportunity for safe activities for families and outdoor enthusiasts. It also opens up a new form of transportation for residents, which is a major plus for cyclist.”

The Park District will use the grant funding to acquire 31.7 acres of land located in the northwest portion of Decatur. The land will allow for access to the current 10-foot-wide asphalt bike trail, which is 9.8 miles long with an additional 1.5 miles under development. The added land will help complete the final 2 miles of the Stevens Creek Bikeway.

The Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, has helped develop nearly 1,000 miles of local government bike trails in Illinois. This year, the program will fund seven bike path projects across the state totaling more than $800,000.

Learn more about the program, eligible projects and the application process here.

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Doris Turner’s (D-Springfield) plan to add agricultural sciences as a type of course that may be counted towards the requirement for three years of sciences in order to gain admission to an Illinois public university passed the Senate Higher Education Committee Tuesday.

“The study of agriculture is vitally important, and our curricula should reflect that,” said Senator Turner. “The current exclusion as an option for a science course for admission is a huge disservice to students who plan to one day study and/or work in the field.”

Currently, the minimum requirements to gain admission to state universities include the completion of at least 15 units of high school coursework in the following subjects: English, Social studies, Mathematics, (Laboratory) Sciences and electives in either foreign language, music, vocational education, or art.

Currently, some colleges may accept agricultural science under the auspice of a "science course" but not all are doing so. This legislation will add some conformity to the available options.

“This is simply an effort to highlight the importance of agricultural science,” Turner said. “Students should feel confident and passionate about their career choice when choosing to study multidisciplinary sciences.”

The measure passed out of the Senate Higher Education Committee and moves to the Senate for further consideration.

State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) has new district office hours available to the public. Please visit one of the office locations below or call a district advisor for more imformation.

Decatur Office Hours 

(Monday - Thursday)  - 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 

(Friday) - 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (except for traveling office days) 

Decatur Office 

1210 S. Jasper St. Decatur, IL 62321 

Phone: 217-706-5311

Christian County Traveling Office Hours 

Christian County Traveling Office Hours (2^nd & 4^th Friday of each month)  

(Friday) - 9:00 a.m. - noon

Christian County Traveling Office  

115 N Main St, Taylorville, IL 62568 - (Second Floor, Directly Next to Council Chambers). 

Carlinville Office Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m. (with lunch) from 12 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

Carlinville Office  

130 East Main Street Suit B 

Phone: 217-854-4502 

Traveling Office Hours for Montgomery & Madison Counties 
2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays of every month: 

9:00 a.m. – noon: Litchfield City Hall Council Chambers - 120 E. Ryder St., Litchfield, IL 62056 (Montgomery)
1:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m.: Worden Village Hall Council Chambers- 115 W. Hall St., Worden, IL 62097 (Madison)