Turner encourages community to write letters to residents of veterans’ homes

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) encourages people to show support, respect and admiration to our nation’s heroes by writing them friendly letters ahead of Veterans Day.

“We are able to live free in this great country of ours because of the courage and sacrifice our nation’s veterans displayed,” Turner said. “So many veterans suffer the consequences of their service in silence, it is imperative that we show them that they are not alone.”

In order to help combat the rising levels of isolation, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs launched Operation Rising Spirit last year. Operation Rising Spirit enlists communities to write letters to residents of the four Illinois veterans’ homes located in Anna, LaSalle, Manteno, and Quincy.

To send a message to a veteran or a veterans’ home, visit Send-a-note. Locations for each of the veterans’ homes in Illinois can be found here, where letters can also be mailed.

Turner and community leaders celebrate economic development extension in Enos Park

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) held a press conference Tuesday morning to celebrate the passage of a measure to extend the Enos Park Tax Increment Financing District for another 12 years.

“The Enos Park TIF has been instrumental in revitalizing a Springfield neighborhood and has been a great tool in the expansion of the Mid-Illinois Medical District,” Turner said “Neighborhoods that were once an eyesore and full of blight and despair are now home to young families and home rehabilitation success stories.”

The press conference was held at Memorial Health Learning Center in Springfield. Turner was joined by Mayor Jim Langfelder, Sangamon County Treasurer Joe Aiello, Representative Sue Scherer (D-Decatur), Alderwoman Lakeisha Purchase and Memorial Health President and CEO Ed Curtis.

The newly built YMCA on Carpenter Street is an example of the success the TIF district has brought to the community.

Senate Bill 1139 passed both chambers of the General Assembly during fall session and now awaits final approval from the governor.

Turner urges small businesses to apply for Back to Business grants

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) is urging local businesses to take advantage of Back to Business grants before the Oct. 13 deadline.
 
Turner and the General Assembly allocated $250 million in American Rescue Plan funding to the B2B program for small businesses experiencing COVID-19 losses, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will continue to award grants on a rolling basis.
 
“I’m extremely proud of the work done by the General Assembly to invest dollars in our most vulnerable communities,” said Turner. “The Back to Business Program will act as a stimulus to give our businesses the resources to come back stronger and more resilient.”
 
Eligible businesses are encouraged to apply by visiting the DCEO website. To help restore operational losses incurred during the pandemic, the B2B program will provide grants ranging in size from $5,000 to $150,000, commensurate with losses experienced. The administration will continue to accept applications for B2B grants through Oct. 13, 2021.
 
“I am excited to see businesses in our district receive nearly $606,000 in B2B grants during the first wave,” Turner said. “I encourage those in need of additional assistance to take advantage of this opportunity before it’s too late.”

To highlight and support local businesses in the 48th District, Turner has launched a small business tour series and encourages entrepreneurs to invite her to visit their businesses. So far she’s met with a variety of business owners from workers in retail shops, farms, manufacturing businesses to businesses in the service industry.

Turner congratulates Taylorville Jr High School for earning Blue Ribbon recognition

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) applauds Taylorville Jr. High School for earning “Blue Ribbon” recognition from the federal Department of Education.

“It is such an honor to represent a portion of the best teachers, students and staff in the country,” said Turner. “Most teachers do not receive the admiration and respect that they deserve, so this national honor is huge. I am very proud of our students and proudly celebrate all of their hard work. ”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

This year, 18 Illinois schools were named ‘Blue Ribbon Schools' by US Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona and the federal Department of Education. Of those 18 schools, Taylorville Jr. High School was recognized for being among the state's highest performing.

The National Blue Ribbon School awards have been given out since 1982. Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year.