Turner works to increase awareness of ag education programs

SPRINGFIELD – As a strong advocate of agriculture education, State Senator Doris Turner is leading a measure to increase availability of agricultural education programs across Illinois.

“Agriculture is the economic engine of our state,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “From Chicago to Southern Illinois, agriculture plays a role in each and every corner of our state. Students should have the opportunity to know what programs are available.”

Senate Bill 3226 would require the Illinois State Board of Education to submit a report on the status and availability of agricultural education programs statewide. The report would include trends, challenges and barriers, opportunities for expansion, and recommendations to better align agricultural education with workforce and post-secondary opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness.

Turner has passed several laws expanding agriculture education, including House Bill 2802, which allows students to participate in other work-based learning activities, like FFA and 4-H, to count toward the daily calculation of school hours. Additionally, Turner passed Senate Bill 1605 last year which ensures agriculture education teachers are compensated for their extra hours of work.

“As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I’ve worked to expand ag education so students have the opportunity to see the various avenues and careers the industry has to offer,” said Turner. “I’m committed to continuing to grow Illinois’ agriculture industry, and that begins with training our future ag leaders.”

Senate Bill 3226 passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.

Turner calls for action to expand students’ access to service animals

SPRINGFIELD – School policies protecting access to service animals for students with disabilities could be strengthened under a proposal led by State Senator Doris Turner that aims to support all students, no matter their needs.

“As we continue to equip our students with resources and support in the classroom, we need to make sure they don’t face setbacks because of a lack of understanding or awareness of the law,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We have a responsibility to make sure all students feel welcome at school.”

Students who need service animals in order to equally access public schools are protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Turner’s proposal, Senate Bill 2761, would set the tone for school environments that value diversity and inclusion by adding training on the proper handling of service animals in the school setting to the ADA training teachers, administrators and school support personnel already receive.

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Turner: No student should feel ostracized at school

SPRINGFIELD – After meeting with a local student who can no longer take her service animal to school due to claims of harassment from other students, State Senator Doris Turner led a resolution to encourage the review of school policies, ensuring they align with laws regarding service animal access.

“Service animals offer critical assistance for individuals – helping to enhance independence and safety – and when students are in need of this specific accommodation at school, a lack of well-defined policies can lead to disability discrimination,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Whether being used as a vision guide, mobility assistance or medical alert, service animals and the students utilizing them deserve to be safe and protected, especially while they’re at school.” 

Senate Resolution 542 would recognize the importance of service animals in the school setting and encourage a review of policies to ensure that all Illinois schools comply with disability rights laws governing service animal access. Under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, service animals are to assist students in equally accessing public schools and are required to be permitted to accompany a student at all school activities, whether in or outside the classroom.

Turner’s measure comes in response to a recent incident involving a Rochester High School student who utilizes a medical alert dog to manager her Type 1 diabetes – alerting the student when her blood sugar drops too low and helping her stay alive. In November, the student reported harassment from other students at a school board meeting, claiming her peers would step on her Labrador’s legs – hurting his hips – pull his tail, throw food at him and bark at him in the hallways. In a TikTok posted by the student, she spoke about the issues and said the school district has not taken action to protect her service animal.

“No student should feel ostracized at school, and especially not because of a medical necessity like needing a service animal,” said Turner. “This situation brings to light the importance of legal compliance, the value of schools knowing how to manage conflicts, and the gravity of supporting all students, no matter their needs.

Senate Resolution 542 was adopted by the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.

Turner announces funding for local food processing

SPRINGFIELD – As a strong supporter of Illinois farmers, State Senator Doris Turner is encouraging local food processors to apply for the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s new grant, with funding to support food processing, aggregation and distribution. Grants will be available for collaborative projects from $1,000 to $250,000 and for individual projects from $1,000 to $75,000.

“Everyone benefits when we empower our local farmers,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “By fortifying the food system, we are supporting our local farmers and mitigating food insecurity. This funding will expand access to fresh, local foods, strengthen the local economy and grow the food supply chain.”

To be an eligible applicant, organizations must meet these qualifications: be an Illinois resident who stores, processes, packages, aggregates or distributes value-added agricultural products, or plan to do so. These entities must meet one of the following criteria: a farm, cooperative or slaughter/processing facility with fewer than 50 employees. As well as an Illinois food business, a food hub, a non-profit organization or a unit of the local government of Illinois. Those interested can prepare for the upcoming application by pre-registering with SAM.gov and the GATA Grantee Portal. 

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