TAYLORVILLE – Thanks to support from State Senator Doris Turner, Taylorville will receive a $3 million investment as part of the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets program.

“Our local business districts are the heart and soul of our communities,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “These investments in our small businesses will help grow our economy and create new jobs in Christian County. We need to continue to look for ways to support our local businesses.”

With new federal funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administered grants to 50 commercial corridors throughout the state. The City of Taylorville received funding to make needed improvements at the Downtown Taylorville Square and business corridor.

SPRINGFIELD — To help save homeowners money on rising utility bills, State Senator Doris Turner is teaming up with the Citizens Utility Board for two utility bill clinics in Springfield and Decatur.

“These free utility bill clinics will provide residents with opportunities to save money,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “It is vital that government connects families with informative and useful resources.”

The clinics will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 10 at the Lincoln Library, located at 326 S. 7^th St. in Springfield and Thursday, Aug. 11 at Turner’s Decatur Office, located at 1210 S. Jasper St. in Decatur. Both clinics will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD – Starting Friday, Illinois will institute a 10-day tax holiday on school supplies and clothes for working families and teachers, reducing shopping costs to prepare for the upcoming school year, State Senator Doris Turner announced.

“Illinois is offering support to working parents, teachers, and guardians for the upcoming school year, giving back to our residents by reducing the burden of buying school supplies they need for their children’s academic success,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “By making a tax holiday, Illinois is looking out for residents and assisting with the financial cost to ensure students are prepared for their educational experience.”

The law lowers the state tax rate on school supplies and eligible clothes and footwear from 6.25% down to 1.25% for 10 days from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14, 2022.

“I encourage everyone to take advantage of this holiday and shop local whenever possible to make sure our students are ready to succeed,” Turner said.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is celebrating $1.5 billion in economic development and 700 jobs coming to central Illinois as the Illinois EPA gives the green light to build a new natural gas-fueled power plant in Pawnee.

“The Lincoln Land Energy Center will create good paying jobs right in our backyard,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “When we look at the realm of companies we hope move to central Illinois, those that will positively contribute to our society are at the top of the list – and that’s an attribute of EmberClear’s Lincoln Land Energy Center.”

EmberClear is developing the Lincoln Land Energy Center, a natural-gas fueled power plant about a half mile south of the Village of Pawnee on 160-acres of land. The project location is next to the new Austin substation and minimizes aerial transmission and viewshed concerns. The Illinois EPA has backed the project, saying it will comply with state and federal air control regulations.

Throughout construction, the IEPA projects the build will generate $1.5 billion in economic development and 700 jobs – with 35 permanent jobs coming to the site upon completion. The total project cost is estimated at $1 billion, and the plant will be exclusively built and operated by union labor.

“Lincoln Land Energy Center is an investment not just in our state, but also in our community and our families,” Turner said.  “I stand strong in my commitment to fight for ways to modernize central Illinois’ economy and secure jobs that our communities have long asked for.”