Faraci, Turner advocate for mental health services in ag communities

• Agriculture

DECATUR – As strong advocates of Illinois’ agriculture industry, State Senators Paul Faraci and Doris Turner joined state officials and agriculture leaders at the 2023 Farm Progress Show to support increasing across to mental health services for rural farmers and agriculture communities.

“Mental health affects people from all professions — especially farmers whose job, success and livelihood relies on many things out of their control,” said Turner (D-Springfield), chair of the Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee. “Together, we can uplift the health and well-being of some of our state’s hardest working individuals.”

Initiated through the legislative leadership of Former Champaign State Senator Scott Bennett, the Farm Family Resource Initiative started as a joint pilot program of SIU School of Medicine and the Illinois Department of Agriculture in 2019. It originated as a pilot program covering six Illinois counties providing telehealth mental health access in addition to a helpline. Following its overwhelming success, the FFRI was expanded to cover all 102 counties in the state. In addition to the telehealth helpline, family members can now access six free telehealth mental health sessions.

The program will fund up to 20 grants at $1,000 each to support FFA chapters implementing local initiatives encouraging access to mental health resources. Grants will be used to increase awareness of mental health and wellness in schools and communities across Illinois. All FFA chapters in Illinois are eligible to apply for the grant. Applications will be available from the Illinois FFA Foundation in fall 2023.

Faraci pledges to continue Bennett’s advocacy of this vital program and partner with the Illinois Department of Agriculture on expanding accessibility to farmers across the state.

“The FFRI program is a proven success and has given farmers an opportunity to talk about their struggles,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “I am honored to advocate for this lifesaving program and pay tribute to the work my friend, State Senator Scott Bennett started. It is important to remember it is okay to ask for help, especially when it comes to mental health." 

The Farmer Assistance Helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-833-FARM-SOS.

Turner applauds $785,000 in grants to support Central Illinois restaurants

• Back to Business

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to uplift the restaurant industry, State Senator Doris Turner announced a total of $785,000 was awarded to 19 local restaurants in Springfield, Chatham and Decatur, continuing her support for small businesses.

“As a lifelong Central Illinois resident, I know we have a unique restaurant industry,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “The Back to Business grants have had a tremendous impact on small business and the owners. This funding will help our favorite restaurants keep their doors open and flourish for years to come.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest hit industries. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has provided over $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

Nineteen restaurants in the Springfield area and Decatur will receive $785,000 through this round of Back to Business grants.

“Small businesses create jobs, boost our local economy and are the backbone of our communities,” said Turner. “I will continue being a strong supporter of small businesses and entrepreneurs.”

A full list of awardees can be found here.

Turner push to include hands-on, ag education as school work signed into law

• Agriculture
• FFA

SPRINGFIELD – Students who participate in a work-based learning experience, like Future Farmers of America or 4-H program competitions or exhibitions, will be able to count the time outside of the classroom as hours of school work thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Doris Turner that was signed into law Monday.

“As a strong supporter of ag education, I advocated for the FFA and 4-H program students who have been jeopardized for missing class to participate in competitions,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Learning through hands-on experiences, especially in the agriculture industry, is a great way for students to expand their wealth of knowledge.”

Turner’s new law allows students to count hours that they participate in a work-based learning experience as hours of school work. The initiative includes participation in scheduled events of state and national Future Farmers of America associations as well as 4-H programs as part of organized competitions or exhibitions – something Turner strongly advocated 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.

“This is one step forward to continue encouraging students to learn about agriculture and what the industry has to offer,” said Turner. “I’m excited for our youth to be able to learn both inside and outside of the classroom.”

House Bill 3814 takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

Turner law looks into new design for state flag

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois could see a new state flag under a measure spearheaded by State Senator Doris Turner that was signed into law Monday.

“Illinois’ current flag design has the state seal on it,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “While the state seal represents government, the flag should be a symbol for the people. History is living, breathing and ever evolving and our flag needs to represent what makes Illinois the great state it is.”

Turner’s law creates the Illinois Flag Commission to develop new state flag designs. The commission will make recommendations to the General Assembly deciding whether the current state flag should be replaced with a redesigned state flag. If they decide the flag should be replaced, the commission will report recommendations to the General Assembly by Dec. 3, 2024.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources explains Illinois’ state flag history. There have been two official state flags – the first was adopted in 1915. The second was adopted in 1969, which did not change the original design of the flag but added “Illinois.”

In 2021, Utah passed a similar law creating the Utah State Flag Task Force which provided design toolkits to libraries, schools and other institutions. The task force received around 7,000 flag designs and over 44,000 public comments. According to Utah’s Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, students, educators, families and more were invited to participate in the process of choosing Utah’s new state flag.

“This initiative was designed to promote public involvement and community input,” said Turner. “Let’s get people excited about Illinois!”

Senate Bill 1818 takes effect immediately.