JOB POSTING: IDNR seeks to hire Conservation Police Officer

IDNR seeking qualified applicants for the position of Conservation Police Officer. Offering competitive pay and benefits, including affordable, employer-sponsored health care, dental, and vision. Employer-furnished equipment, take-home patrol vehicle, flexible scheduling, and much more.

The job posting and application may be found here.

For more information please click here.

2021 Internship Opportunity

Work a flexible schedule, receive college credits and gain experience working in government!

• Responsibilities:
• Work a minimum of five hours per week
• Help plan events in the 48th District
• Assist with outreach to community organizations and local governments
• Research legislative initiatives

To apply, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your resume and a brief introduction of why you are interested in joining the 48th District team.

For more information click here.

Senator Turner honors Central Illinois State Scholars

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) recently honored 144 Central Illinois high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

“This spectacular achievement is a result of hard work and dedication,” said Turner. “I am especially proud of these students’ efforts to persevere while in the middle of a devastating pandemic. Despite the fear and uncertainty this infectious disease has brought on, these students have maintained an esteemed level of academic excellence and I am so proud of each and every one of them.”

The Scholars from the Central Illinois area include students from 17 area high schools, including Morrisonville, Hillsboro, Lincolnwood, Litchfield, Nokomis, Southwestern, Staunton, Bunker Hill, Carlinville, Gillespie, Mt. Olive, North Mac, Sangamon Valley, St. Teresa, Douglas MacArthur, Eisenhower and Lutheran School Association of Decatur high schools.

Recipients of the award will receive a congratulatory letter from ISAC, and a Certificate of Achievement will be sent to their high school. State Scholars will also receive a digital badge issued by ISAC that can be displayed on online profiles, exhibited on social media, and shared with prospective colleges and employers.

More information about the State Scholar program can be found at ISAC’s website.

Turner’s plan to expand agricultural education for students passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Doris Turner’s (D-Springfield) effort to make agricultural sciences courses count toward Illinois university admissions requirements passed the Senate unanimously last week.
“The goal here is to highlight the importance of agricultural studies,” said Turner. “Our current curricula did not reflect that by excluding it from courses that count toward the three required years of sciences, and may have deterred some students from pursuing those studies.”

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.

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

“We want to encourage students to feel confident and passionate about their career choices especially when choosing a field that has such a substantial and diverse impact,” said Turner.

The measure passed out of the Senate and is now in the House of Representatives for further consideration.