Ag education expands under Turner law

• Ag Education

SPRINGFIELD – FFA and 4-H students will receive school work hours when participating in a work-based learning experience outside of the classroom starting Jan. 1 thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Doris Turner.

“I’ve been a strong advocate for ag education and want to ensure students aren’t being jeopardized for attending FFA and 4-H program events,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “These programs provide essential hands-on experience in the agriculture industry, which is prominent here in Illinois.”

House Bill 3814 allows students to count hours that they participate in a work-based learning experience as hours of school work. Turner’s law includes participation in scheduled events of state and national FFA associations as well as 4-H programs as part of organized competitions or exhibitions — something she advocates strongly for.

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.

“As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and a member of the Senate Education Committee, I know the valuable experiences students get from participating in hands-on learning,” said Turner. “This is a step forward in encouraging students to learn about agriculture and what the industry has to offer.”

House Bill 3814 takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

Turner highlights funding for walking trails at Scovill

DECATUR – State Senator Doris Turner announced the Decatur Park District is receiving a $200,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to resurface former golf cart paths at Scovill Park West. 

“It’s great to see Scovill Golf Course getting the opportunity to be fully utilized after its closure in 2017,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “This project will add to the list of amazing recreational opportunities the Decatur Park District provides for residents.”

The recreational trail grant will be used to resurface 1.6 miles of former golf cart paths at Scovill Park West on the west side of Decatur. Scovill Park West covers over 150 acres of land and over 3 miles of walking and biking trails.

“The extensive Steven’s Creek bike trail network is utilized by thousands of residents each week and rehabilitating the trails out at Scovill Park West will provide even more recreational opportunities for our community,” said Decatur Park District Executive Director Clay Gerhard.  “This resurfacing project prepares us to connect the trails at Scovill Park West to the existing twelve-mile-long Steven’s Creek Bike Trail network in the coming years.”

More than $3.7 million has been awarded for recreational trail development projects in 19 Illinois communities to help them meet the growing demand for improved trails and outdoor recreation facilities. The 19 projects were recommended for funding by the Illinois Greenways and Trails Council, which is overseen by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and is made up of representatives of statewide motorized and non-motorized user organizations, state agencies, organizations involved in greenways and trails, and metro-area greenways and trails coalitions.

Turner-backed law protects Illinois farmers

• Farmers

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure farmers have insurance in the event of a natural disaster or other costly incident, State Senator Doris Turner supported a new law that will strengthen regulations for farm mutual insurance companies.

“As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I’m committed to protecting all Illinois farmers,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Farmers are the driving force of our state, putting food on our tables and boosting the local economies. We have to ensure they have adequate coverage.”

Farm mutual insurance companies offer a type of mutual insurance to farmers or rural property owners. Prior to this new law, the Illinois Department of Insurance required unlimited catastrophic aggregate reinsurance coverage. Currently, only one company will be offering contracts that meet the DOI’s requirements, and as a result, many farm mutual insurance companies will struggle to find reinsurance coverage.

Senate Bill 765 requires farm mutual insurance companies to have and maintain adequate — rather than unlimited — catastrophic reinsurance, which is defined as the amount required for a 500-year catastrophic event. The Turner-backed law ensures broader access to reinsurance products, preventing more than 51,000 policy holders from becoming uninsured at the end of the year.

“I will always be an advocate and voice for our farmers,” said Turner. “This is a crucial step needed to ensure our farmers’ property is protected.”

Senate Bill 765 was signed into law Friday and took effect immediately.

Turner hosts holiday card drive for seniors

SPRINGFIELD – To spread holiday cheer, State Senator Doris Turner is hosting a holiday card drive for seniors across her district.

“We often lose track of what’s most important this season – and that’s spreading joy,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Everyone enjoys a small, yet meaningful, act of kindness during the holidays.”

Turner is collecting store bought and handmade cards for local seniors this holiday season. People are encouraged to write kind notes and drop them off or mail them to her Springfield office, 725 North Grand Ave. E., Springfield, Illinois 62702; or Decatur office, 1210 S. Jasper St., Decatur, Illinois 62321. She is collecting cards until Dec. 15 and then will deliver them to local long-term care facilities.

Turner encourages teachers and students to participate in the seasonal event.

“Students enjoy doing arts and crafts, and this can be a valuable learning experience that extends beyond the classroom,” Turner said. “The holiday season is about making a difference in people’s lives, even if you don’t know them personally. I hope teachers and residents will take advantage of this opportunity.”

People with questions can reach out to Turner’s office at 217-782-0228.