SPRINGFIELD – Rural health advocates gathered Thursday at Springfield Clinic to honor State Senator Doris Turner for her hard work on the passage of legislation aimed to increase access to health care for rural communities in Illinois.

“Our rural health centers across the state have struggled to maintain adequate staff,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “This law will mean that people across the state will have more access to high quality health care by incentivizing medical professionals to work in underserved areas.”

Private rural health clinics have opened across the state with the goal of providing the same quality care as hospitals in more urban areas. Medical professionals working in private clinics, often in historically underserved areas, were previously not eligible for loan forgiveness despite providing quality care to residents of rural communities. Senate Bill 3017, which was signed into law in May, ensures that the medical professionals who work in private rural health facilities also receive loan forgiveness.

"Senate Bill 3017 will help enhance recruitment and retention efforts,” said Phil Johnson, MD with Litchfield Family Practice. “Doctors, physician assistants and advanced practice nurses for rural health care facilities are very concerned about both recruiting and retaining skilled medical staff.”

The new law is now in effect.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner supports newly signed laws to expand the Expressway Camera Act into Central Illinois.

“With motorists traveling through construction zones and encountering distracted and aggressive drivers, the last thing they need to worry about is becoming a victim of gun violence,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “With the expansion of the Expressway Camera Act, our communities in Central Illinois can rest assured knowing that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.”

House Bill 4481 will expand the scope and include state highways in Sangamon, Macon and Madison Counties, among others across the state. House Bill 260 will give law enforcement agencies the ability to use images from expressway cameras to investigate vehicular hijackings, terrorism, and forcible felonies in addition to firearm offenses currently authorized under law. The original Expressway Camera Act was passed after Tamara Clayton, a postal worker, was tragically killed in a shooting on I-57 in Cook County.

"This law will provide local law enforcement the training and funding to access and operate these cameras in order to aid future investigations,” Turner said. “Illinois has the third most interstate mileage in the country, and I intend on ensuring the safety of drivers while they use our roads.”

House Bill 260 and HB 4481 were signed into law Friday and take effect immediately.   

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SPRINGFIELD – With America’s 250^th birthday approaching in a few years, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) says it’s time to get the party planning started.

“This is a tremendous occasion. Our great country has a deep and beautiful history to highlight,” Turner said. “I am honored to play a role in this historic event.”

Turner, a Democrat from Springfield, was the chief Senate sponsor of a newly signed law that officially creates the Illinois party planning committee to work on how to best celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on and around July 4, 2026. That law, first filed in House Bill 5015, was signed last Friday by the governor.

“This is a special time for the nation as we reflect on our history and accomplishments while also charting a course for the future,” Turner said. “Celebrations will ring from the coast of Maine to the glaciers of Alaska, and we want to make sure Illinois joins in those celebrations with a truly special program.”

Members of the Illinois America 250 Commission would be appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and legislative leaders and would reflect the diversity of people, experiences and industries of Illinois. The commission would be in charge of planning, promoting and implementing an appropriate commutations.

The commission will work to highlight important milestones in our state’s history in relation to our nation’s history.

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LITCHFIELD – The City of Litchfield will soon see $2 million in improvements at the industrial park development thanks to State Senator Doris Turner’s continued support of the state’s major multi-year infrastructure plan.

“Litchfield, in recent years, has grown to become a regional hub for business and development that has propelled the city to new prosperity,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “I want to help continue the growth that will fuel Litchfield for years to come.”

A total of $2 million has been allocated through the next disbursement of Rebuild Illinois program funding to extend natural gas and electrical utilities within the city's industrial park development. The project in the district Turner represents is one of 27 projects announced Tuesday totaling $50.7 million. 

The Turner-backed multi-year infrastructure plan – Rebuild Illinois – brings forth a total of $1.5 billion spread out in six installments to be invested over three years to advance municipal, township and county projects across the state. Projects include road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements and other long-term maintenance needs.

“This vital investment into the industrial park will go a long way in serving the residents of Litchfield and the surrounding area,” Turner said. “That’s why I am a proud supporter of the Rebuild Illinois Plan – because it’s not just about infrastructure, it’s about our community.”

A full list of projects funded by the Rebuild Illinois plan can be found by visiting the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.

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