SPRINGFIELD – Over $227,000 is coming to Springfield and Decatur to support four literacy programs, thanks to strong backing from State Senator Doris Turner.

“Libraries are essential, serving as a vibrant hub in our communities for all residents to utilize," said Turner (D-Springfield). "Investing in our library systems is an incredible way to empower their initiatives, while directly supporting the community."

Over $28 million was awarded to regional libraries systems across the state to enhance online catalogues at local libraries, support day-to-day operations, expand interlibrary loan programs and to radio information services that equip vision-impaired individuals with narrations of newspaper content. Baby TALK received funding to help provide integrated, intensive instruction to improve the basic reading, writing skills, math or English language proficiency of parents and children together.

SPRINGFIELD – After hearing from Central Illinois residents, State Senator Doris Turner sent a letter on Wednesday to the U.S. Postmaster General David Steiner asking to bring back mail sorting in Springfield, rather than allow it to remain out of state.

“The aftermath of the decision to sort mail in Missouri has been detrimental,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “People aren’t getting their prescriptions delivered on time, putting them in life-threatening situations. Rent payments, paychecks, bills and more are taking much longer to arrive. Enough is enough.”

On March 26, Turner joined hundreds of local residents, postal workers and local elected officials at a town hall to share concerns about the proposal. USPS approved changing Springfield’s Packaging and Distribution Center into a Local Processing Center, which moved mail processing outside of the state to operations in St. Louis, Missouri.

“I’ve heard about the mail issues from constituents, and I too have experienced increased delays. Today we find out mail is scattered along a street in Springfield with people’s addresses on display,” said Turner. “I stand with residents, postal workers and the entire Springfield community. I’m having conversations with our federal partners as we navigate the ongoing and unjust USPS issues.”

A copy of the letter can be found here.

SPRINGFIELD – As a strong advocate for agriculture education, State Senator Doris Turner championed a new law to allow hands-on learning for FFA and 4-H students to count toward school hours.

“As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and a member of the Senate Education Committee, I know the valuable experiences students get from participating in hands-on learning,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “This is a necessary step to ensuring no student is jeopardized for attending an FFA or 4-H event.”

Building on Turner’s 2023 law, House Bill 2802 allows participation in supervised career development experiences and other approved work-based learning activities to count toward the daily calculation of school clock hours.

Illinois FFA is a youth organization that prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. 4-H is the largest out-of-school youth organization across the state aimed at teaching practical skills to youth by offering lessons in communications, leadership, career development, livestock, home improvement and computer technology.

“To really understand the ag industry, students need to have the option to participate in events and competitions that provide hands-on learning,” said Turner. “Illinois is a national agriculture leader and it’s important we build the pipeline to encourage students to join the industry.”

House Bill 2802 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.

SPRINGFIELD – Teachers will soon see mental health resources on their school IDs under a new measure sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner that was signed into law Friday.

“Teaching is not an easy job, but teachers show up every day to educate and support students,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We have to ensure their mental health is a priority, too.”

House Bill 3000 requires all school districts serving students in grades 6-12 to have the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), the Crisis Text Line, and the Safe2Help Illinois helpline on all employee IDs.

Turner’s law builds on a 2021 law expanding suicide and crisis helpline awareness in schools by ensuring all employees in school districts have this information on their ID cards. Currently, this information is required to be in student handbooks or planners and on student IDs if schools issue them.

“As we continue working to end the stigma around mental health, resources need to be easily accessible, especially for teachers who may need it for themselves or a student in a time of need,” said Turner. 

House Bill 3000 takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.