Turner: Central Illinois deserves its fair share

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) released the following statement in response to the governor’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal:

“The state budget is no one person’s personal piggy bank. We have to be responsible with how taxpayer dollars are spent, and ensure central Illinois gets its fair share. I look forward to working with the governor and elected officials all across the state to craft a responsible budget that prioritizes the needs of the working class.

“Whether you’re a small family farmer outside Mt. Auburn, an accountant at ADM in Decatur, work customer service at Horace Mann in Springfield or drive a truck for Cleeton’s in Tovey: This budget should recognize your needs, because you deserve to live in a state that can balance its finances the same way you do at home.”

Turner advances measure to create one-stop shop for higher education scholarships

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is leading a measure to simplify the process for students seeking higher education scholarships.

“After conversations with my summer interns who were applying to college, they stressed the need for a one-stop shop for information on scholarships,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We want to encourage students to continue their education, and this would make it easier for students to see what financial aid is available.”

Senate Bill 1331 would create the Illinois Scholarship Database, developed and administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, to be used as a tool for improving Illinois students' knowledge of and access to higher education scholarships.

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Turner measure expanding ag education advances

SPRINGFIELD – As a strong supporter of agriculture education, State Senator Doris Turner is sponsoring a measure that would allow any agriculture-related course to satisfy the vocational education requirement for public high school students.

“Understanding agriculture is important in Illinois, and our curricula should reflect that,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Students should be able to use their agricultural studies to fulfill graduation requirements.”

Senate Bill 1605 would clarify in statute that agricultural education, agricultural business or any other agriculture-related course can satisfy the vocational education requirement for public high school students beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. Currently, one year of music, art, foreign language, vocational education or speech and debate are required to graduate from high school.

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Turner introduces measures in response to tragic murder of Sonya Massey

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner has introduced two measures in response to the murder of Sonya Massey last year.

“Sonya’s death should have never happened,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Since that fatal day, I have worked with state and county officials, law enforcement and community members to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Alongside Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter, we created the Massey Commission to address systemic issues in law enforcement practices, mental health responses, and community relations. Both of these measures came directly from the commission.”

Senate Bill 1953 would require law enforcement agencies to conduct a more comprehensive review of a prospective officer’s past employment to ensure his or her physical and psychological fitness for duty as a police officer before making an offer of employment. To ensure the highest degree of integrity and professionalism in the hiring process of sheriffs’ deputies and other personnel, the legislation would expand the creation of sheriff’s merit boards and sheriff’s merits commissions for counties with a population of at least 75,000.

Additionally, Turner is leading Senate Bill 1954 that would allow the recall of a countywide elected official to be put on the ballot by either the county board or a petition signed by 5% of the county’s registered voters or 1,000 registered voters, whichever is less, based on the size of the county.

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