Turner adds protection for school bus riders under new law

• School Bus Safety

SPRINGFIELD – School buses can now have two extended stop arms under a new law championed by State Senator Doris Turner.

“We have to make sure students are safe while riding school buses,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Drivers aren’t taking school bus stop signs seriously. Giving school buses the ability to have an additional arm will protect our students and stop reckless drivers from putting kids in danger.”

Turner’s law allows a school bus to be equipped with a maximum of two stop arms that partially obstruct the roadway. The extensions are required to be on the driver's side of the school bus and contain a system of flashing red lights.  

The new law comes in response to school officials across Illinois having seen an increase of instances where people don’t properly stop for a school bus, putting the lives of kids at risk. According to a survey conducted by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, 79,959 school bus drivers from around the country reported that 51,593 vehicles had illegally passed their buses on a single day during the 2021-2022 school year.

“Too often, the safety of our students is placed in jeopardy by hurried or distracted drivers,” said Tip Reedy, Superintendent of Williamsville School District. “While we can hire great bus drivers and teach children to look both ways, we can’t control the actions a motorist. We value and appreciate the efforts of Senator Turner and other lawmakers who are taking steps to prevent the occurrence of unsafe and illegal passing of stopped school buses before tragedy occurs.”

Senate Bill 2340 was signed into law Friday.

Turner-supported projects to invest over $315 million in Springfield transportation

• Springfield
• Transportation
• Rebuild Illinois
• IDOT
• Illinois Department of Transportation

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is excited to announce the launch of a new multi-year transportation program that will invest in roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations in Sangamon County.

“The new multi-year program is the first of its kind in more than a decade,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “In addition to our bipartisan Rebuild Illinois program, this program will make major infrastructure improvements that will benefit the daily lives of constituents.”

The Illinois Department of Transportation plans to invest more than $40 billion in all modes of transportation over the next six years to fix and repair infrastructure across the state. The Fiscal Year 2024-29 Proposed Highway and Multimodal Improvement Program will allocate $27.03 billion for roads and bridges, with $4.6 billion identified for the current fiscal year. The remaining funds will go toward transit, freight and passenger rail, aviation, ports and waterways. Projects are spread out across state and local transportation systems, with major projects totaling $315.8 million in Sangamon County.

Projects across the 48^th District include:

• $125.9 million for additional lanes and reconstruction along seven miles of I-55, including ramp repair and other improvements;
• $79.7 million for additional lanes and reconstruction along Illinois 97/125, including new construction, bridge replacement, intersection reconstruction, bridge removal, pedestrian overpass and other improvements;
• $20 million for reconstruction, traffic signal replacement, ADA upgrades and other improvements on MacArthur Boulevard from Wabash/Stanford Avenue to South Grand Avenue in Springfield;
• $21.6 million for resurfacing six miles, bridge deck overlay, bridge repairs and other improvements along I-55 from Illinois 104 to Horse Farm Road;
• $68.6 million for 3.9 miles of reconstruction and additional lanes on I-55 Business routes and Sixth Street, intersection improvement, intersection reconstruction, turning lanes, sidewalks, traffic signal replacement, bikeway and utility adjustments from I-72 to north of Stanford Avenue in Springfield.

“Rebuild Illinois was a promise to all Illinoisans to enhance mobility, create economic opportunity, promote quality of life, and improve safety throughout Illinois,” said Turner. “Over the next six years, these projects will boost our local economy, create more jobs and ensure our roads are safe and reliable for generations to come.”

For more information about the multi-year program and a list of projects, visit IDOT’s website.

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Turner removes duplicate tests for motorcyclists under new law

• HB2582

SPRINGFIELD – Motorcyclists will no longer have to complete a duplicate driver’s test with the Secretary of State under a new law sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner.

“This initiative eases the process for motorcyclists to get their license without taking repetitive, unnecessary tests,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We aren’t lessening requirements for drivers. We are getting rid of a redundant process.”

The new law removes the requirement for a motorcyclist under the age of 18 to complete a motorcycle driver's examination with the Secretary of State. Previously, 16 to 17 year old motorcyclists were required to complete a Cycle Driver Testing Course provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation and an additional examination by the Secretary of State.

“Young motorcyclists will be able to enjoy the natural resources Illinois offers without being burdened by duplicate tests,” said Turner.

House Bill 2582 takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

Turner joins IDNR for a tour of Sangchris Lake State Park

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner joined the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on a tour at Sangchris Lake State Park on Tuesday.

“I was excited to join IDNR for a tour of Sangchris Lake but I didn’t know I would leave with so much knowledge about what the park has to offer,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “The park has a number of activities to offer like archery, hunting, kayaking and more. I left feeling grateful for the opportunity to take in the beauty right here in Central Illinois and have a better understanding of the work it takes to keep our parks thriving across the state.”

Sangchris Lake State Park, located in Rochester, totals more than 3,000 acres, with 120 miles of shoreline on Sangchris Lake, a power station cooling lake constructed in 1964. Residents can enjoy outdoor activities including fishing, boating, camping, hunting, picnics and family gatherings among native forests of oak, maple, butternut and persimmon. The park also brings people from across the state and country for hunting and fishing tournaments.

Turner joined representatives from IDNR for a discussion about what the park has to offer, recent, future and ongoing projects, as well as a highlight of the wildlife that lives there.

“Our state parks provide residents with a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors,” said Turner. “I encourage local residents to take advantage of Sangchris Lake and all it has to offer.”

More information about Sangchris Lake State Park can be found here.