Turner advances measure to protect consumers

• Consumer Protections

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner advanced a measure that would protect consumers by requiring notice for automatic renewals offered by businesses.

“Some businesses use deceptive tactics with automatic renewals, which can lead to unexpected charges for consumers,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “By providing sufficient notice of renewals, we are ensuring businesses are transparent and not taking advantage of us.”

Senate Bill 2764 would require businesses that offer a free gift or trial period of its products or services that automatically renew to notify the consumer by email at least two weeks before the cancellation deadline. The measure would apply to free gift or trial periods that last longer than 15 days.

Under current law, if the offer includes a free gift or trial period, the business must disclose how to cancel the contract and allow the consumer to cancel before they pay for the good or services, which may be accomplished by linking to a resource that provides instructions.

“With the rise in online shopping, streaming services and more, it’s time we put consumers first,” said Turner. “We are protecting consumers by streamlining the process and providing them with specifics on how to cancel before they are charged the next pay period.”

 Senate Bill 2764 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

Turner to join families snubbed by Carlinville funeral home to outline accountability plan

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner will join families who have been impacted by the Carlinville funeral home’s insufficient handling of human remains at a press conference Thursday.

“These families have been traumatized and forced to relive the death of their loved one,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “This has become a nationwide issue – we have to ensure this doesn’t happen in Illinois again.”

Senate Bill 2643 would require the death care industry in the state as well as state regulators to implement a mandatory unique identification tagging system for all human remains. It also would establish a chain of custody system that tracks the human remains of a deceased individual whose death occurred in the state from death to final disposition, if the final disposition is in Illinois.

Turner’s measure would reestablish integrity and trust in the death care industry by putting procedures and protocols in place that aim to prevent the misidentification and misplacement of dead bodies or human remains, and conduct that results in a method of final disposition that differs from what is stipulated by the deceased individual or the deceased’s next of kin.

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Turner highlights upcoming Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day events

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is inviting residents to participate in local events recognizing Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Feb. 7.

“We have come a long way in raising awareness of the impact HIV and AIDS have on the Black community across the state,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “By amplifying awareness and sharing resources, we can dismantle barriers to care and fight the stigma that exists around HIV and AIDS.”

Prior to becoming state senator, Turner worked for the Illinois Department of Public Health. Educating and bringing awareness to prevention and testing to Black HIV/Aids was something she worked on for years.

The Phoenix Center and Fifth Street Renaissance are hosting two events on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Free HIV and HIC testing, harm reduction supplies, food and more will be available for attendees.

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Turner announces $3.5 million in grants available for grocery store equipment upgrades

• Agriculture

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is encouraging local grocers to apply for funding through the Illinois Grocery Initiative for the purchase of updated energy-efficient equipment.

“We must do everything in our power to eliminate the food deserts across our state,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Through these grants, local grocers will be able to maintain residents’ access to fresh food.”

Rising energy costs lead to outdated equipment, which presents a major expense for small community grocers. Under the Equipment Upgrades Program, eligible grocers can apply for grants to upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment; refrigeration units and freezers; lighting systems; and other systems providing significant energy savings.

Eligible grocers should apply online by March 25. In order to support the businesses most in-need, grocers must be independently-owned with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four grocery stores. Grocery stores located in food deserts as defined by the USDA map will be given priority.

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