Turner hosts event to help residents save money on utility bills

• Citizens Utility Board
• Utility Bill Assistance
• events

DECATUR – To help save homeowners money on their utility bills, State Senator Doris Turner is hosting a free clinic with the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27. 

“This event will provide residents with the opportunity to learn how to reduce their utility bills,” said Turner (D-Springfield).  “With so many families struggling, I’m glad to be able to connect them with available resources to help them save their hard-earned money.”

The clinic will take place at Turner’s Decatur Office located at 1210 S. Jasper St. in Decatur. Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their gas, electric and phone bills for free, one-on-one consultations with CUB’s experts.

To help accommodate interested participants, Turner’s office is asking those interested to register for the event by calling her Decatur office at 217-706-5311 for a one-on-one consultation with a CUB professional to discuss lowering their electric, water, gas, phone, cable and internet bills.  Registration is recommended but walk-ins are welcome.

During the event, the representative will evaluate participants’ bills to determine if they are signed up with an alternative supplier or paying for unnecessary products or services. CUB will also let participants know if they are eligible for money-saving programs, like financial assistance, and share information about energy efficiency programs.

Turner encourages residents to take advantage of this free clinic to keep their utility usage and costs in check.

For more information on the program, visit www.citizensutilityboard.org or contact Turner’s office at 217-706-5311.

Turner applauds area manufacturers during Manufacturing Month

• Manufacurers
• manufacturing

SPRINGFIELD – During Manufacturing Month, State Senator Doris Turner highlights the importance of manufacturing in Illinois.

“Our state’s manufacturers drive our region’s economy,” said Turner. “The 48^th District is lucky to be home to many up and coming businesses that ensure our state meets the demands of our global economy.”

The manufacturing industry supports $580 billion in annual economic impact and is the largest growing sector in Illinois. Manufacturers across the state employ more than 662,000 men and women on factory floors, earning an average wage of more than $79,400 and 92% of employees receive employer sponsored health care.

Last month, Turner joined lawmakers and area stakeholders such as Richland Community College President Cris Valdez to award T/CCI Manufacturing in Decatur the state’s first Reimagining Electric Vehicles tax credit. 

Turner is happy to see the city welcome this innovative industry that will help generate good-paying jobs throughout the region.

“Careers in manufacturing are the jobs of tomorrow,” said Turner. “We are fortunate to have world-class facilities across Central Illinois that help train and educate students for careers that sustain families and grow our economy.”

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Turner invites residents to Springfield Senior Fair

• Senior Fair

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is partnering with the Salvation Army of Springfield to host a resource fair for seniors and their loved ones to connect with available state and local resources on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Salvation Army of Springfield located at 1600 E. Clear Lake.

“Our resource fair is an easy way for seniors to learn, connect and enjoy a wide variety of services that our local non-profits, state agencies and health care facilities provide,” said Turner. “We are lucky to have amazing senior-based organizations in our community doing excellent work. I hope residents will take advantage of this informative resource and stop by.”

Seniors will be able to ask questions and obtain information from a variety of service and health care providers, state programs and local groups.

Walgreens will be on-site to provide flu vaccinations. Those interested should bring their insurance card or Medicare card to utilize these services, otherwise it will be $40 out-of-pocket cost.

Others organizations and vendors participating in the senior fair include:

• Updated information for veterans from the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs
• The Illinois Treasurer’s Office will be available to assist residents in discovering unclaimed funds
• Alzheimer's Association will provide information regarding free care and support services
• Representatives from HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital and Memorial Hospital will be available to discuss and provide information on health related matters
• Staff from Turner’s office available to answer questions about Medicaid, state government operations and more

Turner urges residents with questions or concerns to contact her office at (217) 782-0228 or visit her legislative website at www.SenatorDorisTurner.com.

Turner pushes measure to encourage fiscal responsibility

• Budget

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers may soon be required to make regular payments toward the state’s rainy day and pension funds, thanks to State Senator Doris Turner.

Turner (D-Springfield) introduced Senate Bill 4230, which would send $200 million into the fund at the end of each fiscal year or the amount that is necessary to ensure the rainy day fund is 5% of the state budget.

“The state’s budget is a representation of our residents’ values and priorities,” said Turner. “It is important that we put the mechanisms in place to ensure Illinois has a secure financial future. This measure will build these assurances into our budgets going forward to display our commitment to fiscal stability and security.”

In August, the state's Budget Stabilization Fund, commonly known as the rainy day fund, saw its balance exceed $1 billion for the first time.

However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the state’s Rainy Day Fund stood at just $60,000 and the backlog of bills was nearly $6 billion. Turner believes this measure will help prevent this from happening again.

Between 2021 and May 2022, Illinois has seen six credit upgrades. S&G Global Rates reported that there have been improvements in the state’s financial flexibility, timely budget adoption and elimination of the bill backlog, as well as recent surplus revenues. 

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