Turner sends measure banning loud commercials to House

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to curb program viewers’ discomfort and annoyance, State Senator Doris Turner led a measure through the Senate that would ban loud commercials on streaming services.

“It’s frustrating when you’re watching a show, and it cuts to a commercial that is much louder than the show you were watching,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “This problem is all too familiar, especially for parents who have kids who nap, seniors and individuals with hearing sensitivity.”

The Federal Communications Commission preempts most state and local regulation of cable or broadcast television, but streaming services operate over the internet and fall outside that scope. Senate Bill 3222 would prohibit commercials from being played louder than the programming on video streaming services, directly improving viewership experiences.

Read more …

Turner: We need to set students up for future success in the workforce, no matter their disability

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is leading a measure to increase awareness of work incentives for students with a disability by requiring schools to share informational materials with parents and guardians.

“Students with disabilities deserve to know the career options that are available to them,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We have to ensure families and students have the support to guide the journey to work and greater independence.”

The Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program is a federally funded initiative created to help individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance and/or Supplemental Security Income make informed choices about employment. House Bill 4581 would require informational materials on the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program to be provided to a student and the student's parent or guardian at both the initial transition planning meeting convened for a student with a disability by the school district and during the student's final year in high school.

Turner’s measure specifies that school districts would be required to collaborate with the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program servicing their area to determine the process of obtaining and disseminating informational materials. There are three active cooperative agreements in place for eligible beneficiaries who are residents of Illinois, including Volunteers of America of Illinois, Disability Rights Iowa and the Illinois Assistive Technology Program.

“By providing more information on employment opportunities for students with disabilities, we are opening a door to build a strong career plan,” said Turner. “We need to set students up for future success in the workforce, no matter their disability.”

House Bill 4581 passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.

Turner works to strengthen school policies for students with service animals

SPRINGFIELD – To support all students, no matter their needs, State Senator Doris Turner championed a measure through the Senate to strengthen school policies that protect access to service animals for students with disabilities.

“We need to make sure students with service animals 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.

Read more …

Turner: People need to know the medication they are taking is safe

SPRINGFIELD – People in Illinois could soon have a quicker way to know whether their medications have been recalled under a measure spearheaded by State Senator Doris Turner that passed the Senate on Thursday.

“People need to be able to trust that the medication they are taking is safe,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “By placing a centralized recall information source directly where people can instantly find answers, we are empowering patients with details about their health and safety.”

Turner is spearheading a measure to ensure patients can receive instant access to medication recall information without adding new mandates or responsibilities on pharmacists.

Read more …