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.

“There are a number of positive benefits to reading during the summer months,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “This is one way to get kids excited to read while expanding their wealth of knowledge.”

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 Springfield, Decatur or Capitol office by Aug. 16. Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive an ice cream sundae 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.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) released the following statement in response to the Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget:

“I only voted for this budget because Central Illinois will get its fair share. Our priorities are represented throughout with strong investments that generate economic development, bring good-paying jobs to our community, rebuild our roads and prioritize our hardworking families. 

“Organizations like Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery, which provide 24-hour childcare services to Sangamon County parents, will have the opportunity to expand under this plan. Investing in critical programs, like crisis nurseries, has been a top priority of mine, and I am proud to bring this new funding to the 48^th District.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner passed an important measure through the Senate that designates the soybean as the official state bean of Illinois.

“The 48^th Senate District is home to the soybean capital of the world – Decatur, Illinois,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “When designating state symbols, we have to recognize the impact the soybean has on our economy and the number of jobs it creates.”

House Bill 4439 would designate the soybean as the official state bean of Illinois. According to the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois is the No. 1 soybean-producing state in the country, with 15% of all U.S. soybeans being produced in Illinois.

"As the largest soybean-producing state, we commend Senator Doris Turner and the General Assembly in passing House Bill 4439 to recognize the importance of soybeans to Illinois agriculture on the 60th Anniversary of the Illinois Soybean Association," said Illinois Soybean Association Chairman Ron Kindred.

House Bill 4439 passed the Senate with bipartisan support.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Doris Turner and Christopher Belt laid out a plan Thursday to ensure physicians who perform autopsies are able to accurately do their job without fear of legal retaliation.

“After conversations with Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon, it was clear that we need to ensure the people who perform autopsies are protected,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Putting the rest of the state in line with Cook County will ensure further transparency in the death care industry.”

Senate Bill 2779 would require counties to indemnify and hold harmless a physician, designated by the county or the coroner’s office, to perform autopsies. Indemnification describes the concept where an employer compensates or covers the liability of an employee for conduct the employee committed while they were doing their job in accordance with the employer’s guidance or policies.