SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) released the below statement in response to the U.S. Postmaster General’s decision to move the Springfield Post Office’s distribution to St. Louis:

“The decision to convert the Springfield Post Office into a local processing center is extremely disappointing and will have lasting effects on residents across Central Illinois. There is no reason for our mail to be diverted out of state, but sadly this is our new reality.

“I joined hundreds of residents, postal workers and local elected officials at a town hall on March 26 to share our grave concerns about the proposal. USPS did not listen to our community. This will not only slow down mail delivery time, but also create life threatening hardships for those who rely on the mail service for their medication needs, especially our seniors.

“Springfield is home to Illinois’ state government. Why are we delaying delivery of important documents by sending them to Missouri? This is a poor decision that will affect each and every one of us.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure to address food deserts by providing grants for farmer-owned grocery stores or markets led by State Senator Doris Turner advanced out of the Senate on Friday.

“We have to prioritize our small-scale farmers who work every day to ensure we have food on our tables,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Food deserts across the state deprive people of fresh, nutritious foods. Allowing farmer-owned grocery stores and markets to receive grants will continue our effort of tackling food deserts while providing resources to our farmers and rural communities.”

Senate Bill 3219 would expand on the 2023 Illinois Grocery Initiative by allowing the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide grants for equipment upgrades for farmer-owned grocery stores or markets. Currently, DCEO provides these grants to existing independently owned for-profit grocery stores, cooperative grocery stores or not-for-profit grocery stores.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to protect consumers, State Senator Doris Turner championed a measure through the Senate that would require notice ahead of automatic renewals offered by businesses.

“With streaming services, online shopping and more on the rise, we have to protect the consumer,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “It’s crucial to close the loopholes businesses continue to take advantage of.”

Senate Bill 2764 would require businesses that offer a free trial or promotional period of its products and services that automatically renew to notify consumers by email at least three days before the cancellation deadline. The measure would apply to free gift or trial periods that last longer than 15 days.

SPRINGFIELD – To protect university and community college employees, State Senator Doris Turner passed a measure that would ensure employees receive their pay and benefits if a campus is closed due to a winter weather emergency.

“Some employees are left without pay when we get hit with a winter storm,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “This initiative protects the workers who play an important role in the normal, day-to-day operations for universities and community colleges.”

Senate Bill 331 would require the Board of Trustees of each public university and community college to pay employees their daily, regular rate of pay and benefits if a campus is closed due to a city, county or state declaration of a winter weather emergency. The measure would not apply if the day is rescheduled and the employee would be paid their daily, regular rate of pay and benefits for the rescheduled day when services are rendered.