Turner commemorates March as Kidney Disease Awareness Month

SPRINGFIELD – To bring greater awareness and education for kidney health, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) commemorated March 2022 as Kidney Disease Awareness Month and March 10, 2022 as Kidney Day through the passage of a Senate resolution.

 “Across the state, people are silently suffering with the pain and hardship that comes with kidney disease,” Turner said. “We are showing those with kidney disease we see them and we understand the struggles they continue to face.”

Chronic kidney disease is a progressive, gradual loss of kidney function, which results in a decrease in the ability of the kidneys to remove waste from the body. Without diagnosis and treatment to slow its progression, CKD can progress to end-stage renal failure, which is fatal unless the patient receives dialysis or a kidney transplant.

The average wait for a transplant is 3.6 years. Turner’s measure will educate the public before they get to that need of a transplant. In 2020, only one in four candidates on the waiting list received a transplant. Regular screening and early detection can prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure. Some of the symptoms of Kidney Disease are nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, sleep problems, urinating more or less and decreased mental sharpness.

“It is essential to raise awareness and stress the importance of prevention and early detection,” Turner said. “The goal is to get individuals screened and treated before the disease progresses to kidney failure.”

Senate Resolution 812 passed the Senate Thursday.

Turner encourages youth in DCFS care to apply for scholarships

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Doris Turner (D- Springfield) is encouraging teens who currently or previously were under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to apply for the 2022 DCFS Scholarship Program.

“This scholarship program provides a life changing opportunity to our most disadvantaged youth,” said Turner. “With the necessary tools being provided, students are able to take control of their destiny without the burden of student loans weighing them down.”

Former and current DCFS youth who are between the ages of 16 and 21 are eligible to apply. Applicants must submit a personal statement along with three letters of recommendation from non-relatives. The selection committee also requests that applicants submit their scholastic record, community involvement and extracurricular activities for further evaluation. Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2022.

The DCFS Scholarship Program covers up to five consecutive years of tuition and provides academic fee waivers for its DCFS scholarship recipients. The program includes other benefits such as a monthly grant to aid in additional expenses and a medical card.

“This scholarship program is a chance to break out of the unfortunate situation children in DCFS care are in. I strongly advise eligible students to take the time to apply and allow opportunity to present itself,” said Turner.  

Applications are available at any DCFS regional office and on the DCFS website, www2.illinois.gov/dcfs. The application will be titled Form CFS 438, and you may find it under DCFS Features on the homepage.

Students or caregivers may call the DCFS Office of Education and Transition Services at 217-557-2689 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions about the application process or for more information.

Turner leads measure to adjust substitute teaching guidelines

SPRINGFIELD – To address the teacher shortage across Illinois, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) is leading a measure to allow school districts to hire substitute teachers with a short-term license for longer periods of time.

“Advancing this bill will mean that schools across the state will have an easier time finding a well-qualified substitute to stand in their place,” said Turner “The pandemic has caused many aspects of our society to adapt – especially our schools.”

The pandemic has caused a great deal of disruptions, especially to the education system in Illinois. The state is currently facing a teacher shortage, and with COVID-19 causing a great deal of teacher absences, the need to have qualified individuals step in is vital time. The bill will raise the cap on consecutive days a short-term sub can teach from five to 15 days.

“I hope this bill alleviates some of the educational stress around our classrooms,” Turner said. “I am hopeful we can continue to work together on this commonsense solution that ensures the children of Illinois retain their access to a high quality public education.”

“Teachers across the state are being asked to sacrifice our planning time in order to sub for a different class,” Courtney Goss, a Springfield teacher, said. “This bill will help us reclaim our valuable planning time so we can focus on our students during this difficult time.”

Senate Bill 3907 passed the Senate Thursday and moves to the House for further consideration.

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Turner champions measure to bring greater health care to rural Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – To improve the quality of health care for people living in rural parts of the state, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) is championing a measure to provide financial incentives to physicians who perform medical services in rural areas.

“Passing this bill will mean that people across the state will have an increased access to high quality health care,” said Turner. “We must work to improve access to quality care in rural Illinois.”

Private rural health clinics have opened in more recent years, providing the same quality care as hospitals in communities across the state. Physicians working in private clinics, at times in underserved areas, are not currently eligible for loan forgiveness even though they sometimes work in underserved areas. Senate Bill 3017 will ensure that if the physicians who work in private rural health facilities also receive loan forgiveness.

"Senate Bill 3017 will help enhance recruitment and retention efforts,” said Phil Johnson, MD with Litchfield Family Practice. “Doctors, physician assistants and advanced practice nurses for rural health care facilities are very concerned about both recruiting and retaining skilled medical staff.”

SB 3017 passed the Senate and will move to the House for further consideration.

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