SPRINGFIELD – University and community college employees will receive their pay and benefits if a campus is closed due to a winter weather emergency, thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner.

“All employees within our higher education institutions play a vital role in the normal, day-to-day operations on campus,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “No one should go unpaid without notice. That’s why I led this initiative to ensure workers receive the pay and benefits they deserve.”

Senate Bill 331 requires the Board of Trustees of each public university and community college to pay employees their daily, regular rate of pay and benefits if a campus is closed due to a city, county or state declaration of a winter weather emergency. The law does not apply if the day is rescheduled and the employee would be paid their daily, regular rate of pay and benefits for the rescheduled day when services are rendered.

SPRINGFIELD – As a strong advocate for education, State Senator Doris Turner supported a new law creating the Department of Early Childhood to streamline the administration of early childhood education care programs and services.

“If we can’t give kids the resources they need at an early age, we are doing them a disservice,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “It’s our job to set students up to be lifelong learners by getting them in the classroom and ensuring they have every resource they need to succeed.”

Senate Bill 1 creates the Department of Early Childhood to be the lead agency for administering and providing early childhood education, care programs and services to children and families in Illinois. The new agency will be dedicated to making access to such state programs easier for parents and providers to navigate.

SPRINGFIELD – Building upon the smart infrastructure investments supported by State Senator Doris Turner, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced an investment of over $82 million in road and bridge improvement projects across Sangamon and Macon counties.

“We made a commitment to improve the state’s aging infrastructure,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Investing in our roads increases safety, brings good-paying jobs and boosts the local economy.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, the district Turner represents will see 16 infrastructure projects totaling more than $82 million next year.

DECATUR – Heritage Behavioral Health Center in Decatur has been selected to participate in a federal program designed to expand and improve access to coordinated mental health care and substance use treatment, announced State Senator Doris Turner.

“When we invest in behavioral and mental health, we invest in our communities,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Heritage Behavioral Health Center has been an active part of the Decatur community for more than 60 years, and this program ensures people can access the services they need, no matter their income.”

The Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Demonstration Program provides reimbursement through Medicaid for the full cost of services that CCBHCs provide – at higher rates than what they previously received for Medicaid customers. This program is estimated to bring an additional $150 million into Illinois’ behavioral health system. CCBHCs provide access to a range of services and care coordination through evidence-based practices and other supports based on a community needs assessment. This includes crisis services that are available 24/7. CCBHCs are also required to provide routine outpatient care within 10 business days.