SPRINGFIELD- The Illinois Department of Public health and Crossing Healthcare of Macon County announced, today, its partnership to administer more vaccines to residents in Decatur, Illinois. The partnership is part of a broader pilot program which includes five federally qualified health centers (FQHC) and five safety net hospitals around the state.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the residents of Macon County,” said Senator Tuner (D- Springfield) The launch of the new pilot plan will not only save many lives, but will also undo the negative stigmas associated with health facilities. Recognizing that certain gaps exist is a huge first step and will lead to successful health outcomes.” 

The state will provide each of the sites with approximately 300-500 additional vaccine doses per week. This comes in addition to the already allocated doses the state distributes to health care partners like local health departments and pharmacies. 

“Increasing the number of doses at Crossing Healthcare will be crucial to curbing the disease that has claimed the lives of so many of our family members, friends and neighbors,” Turner added. “Illinois residents, especially those in underserved communities, deserve access to quality services and I am elated about the progress we are making.” 

Crossing Healthcare is located at 990 North Water St. Decatur, Illinois. To find additional information about vaccine availability, including locations and eligibility, visit http://www.coronavirus.Illinois.gov.

CLINTON – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) joined traveled to the Clinton Power Station to tour the facility and meet with employees.

 Turner joined State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort), who serves as chair of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, on this visit.

“The situation in Texas serves as a harsh reminder of what can happen when state government neglects existing energy infrastructure while also failing to innovate. Everyday Texans are still enduring unusually frigid temperatures without access to heat and water. This simply cannot be allowed to happen in Illinois,” Turner said. “I look forward to working to ensure that our state’s energy infrastructure remains state-of-the-art, implement training programs for people transitioning to a job in a new energy sector and protect existing, good-paying jobs Downstate.”

The Clinton Power Station has the ability to generate nearly 1,069 net megawatts, enough electricity to power about 1 million average American homes. The 5,000-acre cooling lake is formed by a dam built at the convergence of Salt Creek and the North Fork of Salt Creek. The station serves as an economic driver for numerous Downstate communities, contributing $13 million in property taxes annually. Clinton also supports 2,100 direct and secondary jobs in Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD – Following Governor JB Pritzker’s budget address, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) offered the following statement:

“Today’s budget proposal from Governor Pritzker shows that he understands that crucial human services need to be maintained in order for a complete economic recovery once we return to normalcy. Those who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 will reap the benefits of a bolstered Illinois Department of Employment Security, mental health services, and senior assistance programs. These investments will go a long way to ensuring the correction of systemic failures which hurt so many during the COVID-19 crisis.

“There are some encouraging aspects of the governor’s proposal, and I look forward to further discussions with him and his team to improve upon it. People from all corners of the 48^th district are hurting, and I intend to play a key role in delivering the relief they sorely deserve.”

SPRINGFIELD — Lifelong Springfield resident Doris Turner was sworn in to serve as the first Black woman to represent Sangamon County in the 48th Legislative District Saturday.

“Being appointed to serve in the Senate at this critical time in our state and nation’s history is humbling,” Turner said. “The decisions made over the course of the next four months will determine how quickly our local economies and neighborhoods can bounce back from the devastation brought on by the pandemic. I’m prepared to meet this moment and get to work for the people from every part of the 48^th Legislative District, from Bunker Hill all the way to Decatur.”

In addition to working 33 years for the State of Illinois; twenty-two of those with the Department of Public Health, Turner was elected to the Springfield City Council representing Ward 3 in April 2011 after having served for ten years on the Sangamon County Board.