SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is leading a measure to simplify the process for students seeking higher education scholarships.

“After conversations with my summer interns who were applying to college, they stressed the need for a one-stop shop for information on scholarships,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We want to encourage students to continue their education, and this would make it easier for students to see what financial aid is available.”

Senate Bill 1331 would create the Illinois Scholarship Database, developed and administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, to be used as a tool for improving Illinois students' knowledge of and access to higher education scholarships.

SPRINGFIELD – As a strong supporter of agriculture education, State Senator Doris Turner is sponsoring a measure that would allow any agriculture-related course to satisfy the vocational education requirement for public high school students.

“Understanding agriculture is important in Illinois, and our curricula should reflect that,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Students should be able to use their agricultural studies to fulfill graduation requirements.”

Senate Bill 1605 would clarify in statute that agricultural education, agricultural business or any other agriculture-related course can satisfy the vocational education requirement for public high school students beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. Currently, one year of music, art, foreign language, vocational education or speech and debate are required to graduate from high school.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner has introduced two measures in response to the murder of Sonya Massey last year.

“Sonya’s death should have never happened,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Since that fatal day, I have worked with state and county officials, law enforcement and community members to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Alongside Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter, we created the Massey Commission to address systemic issues in law enforcement practices, mental health responses, and community relations. Both of these measures came directly from the commission.”

Senate Bill 1953 would require law enforcement agencies to conduct a more comprehensive review of a prospective officer’s past employment to ensure his or her physical and psychological fitness for duty as a police officer before making an offer of employment. To ensure the highest degree of integrity and professionalism in the hiring process of sheriffs’ deputies and other personnel, the legislation would expand the creation of sheriff’s merit boards and sheriff’s merits commissions for counties with a population of at least 75,000.

Additionally, Turner is leading Senate Bill 1954 that would allow the recall of a countywide elected official to be put on the ballot by either the county board or a petition signed by 5% of the county’s registered voters or 1,000 registered voters, whichever is less, based on the size of the county.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Laura Fine and Doris Turner held a press conference Tuesday to introduce two measures that would support new mothers when it comes to feeding their babies.

“Working mothers are constantly juggling to find balance to provide for their children not only financially, but also emotionally and nutritionally,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This measure will support working mothers by providing them time to breastfeed their baby during the work day without having to risk their economic interests.”

Fine’s measure, Senate Bill 212, would require employers to provide 30 minutes of paid break time to nursing mothers so they may express or "pump" breast milk for their child. Under current law, employers are required to provide a reasonable amount of time to nursing mothers to pump breast milk during the day. However, there’s no requirement that it be paid time and reasonable is not defined.

The Turner-led measure, Senate Bill 206, would require Medicaid to provide hypoallergenic formula when prescribed by a physician. Currently, Illinois' Women, Infants and Children program allows only certain infant formulas to be purchased using WIC funds, including one hypoallergenic option.