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.

SPRINGFIELD – To emphasize the importance of learning throughout the summer, State Senator Doris Turner is hosting a Summer Book Club to encourage students to read and continue their studies during the summer vacation.

“Reading keeps students engaged throughout the summer,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “I hope students of all ages will take advantage of this program to make reading a habit and be rewarded for it.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form, and return the form to Turner’s office by Aug. 18. Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card and a certificate from Senator Turner.

Summer Book Club forms are available to download at SenatorDorisTurner.com. People with questions can reach out to Turner’s office at 217-782-0228.

DECATUR – The City of Decatur has been selected as one of the inaugural recipients of the new Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program funds thanks to support from State Senator Doris Turner.

“The safety of our community and residents is always at the forefront of our minds,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Being one of the recipients of this grant means that pedestrians and drivers in our community will be able to get around railroad tracks safer and more efficiently.”

The grant aims to improve rail safety by adding grade separations, closing at-grade crossings, and improving crossings where train tracks and roads intersect. The proposed project will improve connectivity by supporting construction activities to upgrade 1.21 miles of Brush College Road in Decatur. The project will create a new grade separation structure, permanently close two existing highway-rail grade crossings on Norfolk Southern and Illinois Central Railroad rights-of-way and will create pedestrian grade crossings at these locations.

“The improvement this grant will make to Decatur’s railroad infrastructure is incomparable,” said Turner. “Investing in rail safety is beneficial for drivers and pedestrians alike.”

The RCE Grant Program will award Decatur up to $16,000,000 in funding for the project.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner supported a measure to bring awareness to the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois, which was signed into law Friday.

“It’s time we bring to light our history that led us to where we are today,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Illinois played a crucial role in freeing slaves and we need to recognize the pioneers who fought for the rights of African Americans, giving them the freedom and justice they deserved.”

The Turner-backed law creates the Underground Railroad Task Force for the purpose of developing a statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois, while developing new educational and tourism opportunities.

The task force will identify where historical sites are located, connections they may have to one another, and will paint a picture to recognize the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois. It will also introduce educational and tourism opportunities throughout the state.

“We have to be able to tell our story,” Turner said. “This was something I was proud to support. It will create opportunities for students to learn what happened right here in Illinois in the 1800s and be able to share our story to future generations for years to come.”

Senate Bill 1623 takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.