SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) is urging local businesses to take advantage of Back to Business grants before the Oct. 13 deadline.
 
Turner and the General Assembly allocated $250 million in American Rescue Plan funding to the B2B program for small businesses experiencing COVID-19 losses, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will continue to award grants on a rolling basis.
 
“I’m extremely proud of the work done by the General Assembly to invest dollars in our most vulnerable communities,” said Turner. “The Back to Business Program will act as a stimulus to give our businesses the resources to come back stronger and more resilient.”
 
Eligible businesses are encouraged to apply by visiting the DCEO website. To help restore operational losses incurred during the pandemic, the B2B program will provide grants ranging in size from $5,000 to $150,000, commensurate with losses experienced. The administration will continue to accept applications for B2B grants through Oct. 13, 2021.
 
“I am excited to see businesses in our district receive nearly $606,000 in B2B grants during the first wave,” Turner said. “I encourage those in need of additional assistance to take advantage of this opportunity before it’s too late.”

To highlight and support local businesses in the 48th District, Turner has launched a small business tour series and encourages entrepreneurs to invite her to visit their businesses. So far she’s met with a variety of business owners from workers in retail shops, farms, manufacturing businesses to businesses in the service industry.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) applauds Taylorville Jr. High School for earning “Blue Ribbon” recognition from the federal Department of Education.

“It is such an honor to represent a portion of the best teachers, students and staff in the country,” said Turner. “Most teachers do not receive the admiration and respect that they deserve, so this national honor is huge. I am very proud of our students and proudly celebrate all of their hard work. ”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

This year, 18 Illinois schools were named ‘Blue Ribbon Schools' by US Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona and the federal Department of Education. Of those 18 schools, Taylorville Jr. High School was recognized for being among the state's highest performing.

The National Blue Ribbon School awards have been given out since 1982. Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year.

SPRINGFIELD – To highlight farm and ranch safety awareness, Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) is promoting 2021 National Farm Safety and Health Week.

Turner is joining the Illinois Departments of Agriculture and Labor from Sept. 19-25 to spread awareness and emphasize this year’s National Farm Safety and Health Week theme: “Farm Safety Yields Real Results.”

“Harvest season is a reminder of how important farmers are to Illinois’ economy,” Turner said. “With this being such a stressful time of year for farming operations, it’s important that we increase awareness of farming hazards and prepare for emergency situations. We want farmers to return home safely to their families at the end of each day.” 

The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the agriculture sector is still the most dangerous in America. Each year the farming profession sees 573 fatalities, or about 23 deaths per 100,000 workers.

To prevent additional tragedies, it’s important for agriculture workers to stay visible on the road. All agricultural vehicles using public roads must display the fluorescent orange Slow Moving Vehicle triangle, while tractors and other self-powered farm vehicles must have proper lighting.

Drivers should remember farm vehicle operators have limited visibility to the rear, and anyone passing these vehicles should use extreme caution.

A variety of resources and information will be available on the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Facebook and Twitter pages throughout the week to shed light on several farm-related topics.

 SPRINGFIELD – Local libraries in Springfield, Decatur and Litchfield will soon receive a combined $300,000 to improve services and offer new products to residents, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) announced Thursday.

“Investing in our libraries by providing free access to educational, news and historical resources helps keep our communities informed with facts,” said Turner. “These grants will be used to help children and families learn and grow for years to come.”

The Lincoln Library located in Springfield will receive $171,468.75, part of $18.1 million in grants awarded to 638 public libraries across the state. The Decatur Public Library is expected to receive $112,279.95 and the Litchfield Public Library District will receive $13,263.20.

For more than 40 years, the Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants Program has helped public libraries with a low library tax base to ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

“People depend on their public libraries for a wide variety of services,” said Turner. “Libraries often help our children find a love for reading that they can carry with them for their entire lives.”

For more information on the grants, people can visit the secretary of state’s website.