Turner measure adding mental health resources to teacher IDs passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – Teachers could soon see mental health resources on their school IDs under a measure led by State Senator Doris Turner that passed the Senate.

“As societal pressures grow, more people are prioritizing their mental health, helping to break down the stigma surrounding it,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Resources need to be easily accessible, especially for teachers who may need it for themselves or a student in a time of need.”

House Bill 3000 would require all school districts serving students in grades 6-12 to have the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), the Crisis Text Line, and the Safe2Help Illinois helpline on all employee IDs.

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Turner works to bring fresh, homegrown food to schools

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is leading a measure to bring fresh, healthy food to schools.

“Students need access to healthy food in schools to increase focus and brain development, setting them on a path to success in the classroom,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We should utilize our state’s strong agriculture industry by bringing those products into schools.”

Senate Bill 1522 would appropriate $2 million to the Illinois State Board of Education for grants, contracts and administrative expenses under the federal Farm to School State Formula Grant.

Turner worked with Beyond Green Sustainable Food Partners, a firm that partners with schools and other organizations to implement affordable, sustainable changes in institutional kitchens. A total of 15 schools in Illinois currently use the model, including schools in Pawnee, Cobden, Murphysboro, Porta, northwestern Macoupin County and New Berlin. Turner’s initiative would allow more schools to participate in the Farm to School program.

“Public schools and institutions order mostly processed foods that lead to poor health,” said Beyond Green Partners Founder Greg Christian. “With measures like these, I believe Illinois can rebuild a local food system through institutional kitchens, like those in schools.”

Senate Bill 1522 was heard in the Senate Appropriations-Education Committee on Tuesday.

Turner leads measure to expand ag education for FFA, 4-H students

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is leading a measure to further expand hands-on learning for FFA and 4-H students to count toward school hours.

“As a strong supporter of ag education, I advocated for FFA and 4-H program students who have been jeopardized for missing class to participate in competitions,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We need to remove the barriers students are facing when trying to participate in agriculture education experiences by giving students the opportunity to use a school day to pursue time in the field.”

Building on Turner’s 2023 law, House Bill 2802 would allow participation in supervised career development experiences and other approved work-based learning activities to count toward the daily calculation of school clock hours.

Illinois FFA is a youth organization that prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. 4-H is the largest out-of-school youth organization across the state aimed at teaching practical skills to youth by offering lessons in communications, leadership, career development, livestock, home improvement and computer technology.

“Encouraging students to participate in the agricultural industry is important in states like Illinois that thrive on the industry,” said Turner. “Let’s not deter them from participating in hands-on learning.”

House Bill 2802 passed the Senate Education Committee and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

Turner advances measure putting patients over profit

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is sponsoring a measure that would require insurance companies to cover anesthesia services, regardless of duration.

“We have to put patients over profit,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Insurance companies use tactics like not covering anesthesia for the entirety of a procedure to put more money in their own pockets, rather than prioritizing the health and well-being of patients.”

House Bill 1141 would require private insurers and all state group health plans to cover medically necessary anesthesia services, regardless of duration, for any procedure covered by the policy. 

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