SPRINGFIELD – Families of Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) workers killed in the line of duty will receive survivor health insurance benefits thanks to State Senator Doris Turner.

Turner (D-Springfield) who championed a recently signed law that will treat the death of a DCFS worker similar to the death of law enforcement officers.

“In response to the fatal stabbing of Deidre Silas, we must ensure the families of those who serve our most vulnerable populations are cared for,” Turner said. “Ms. Silas gave her life as a dedicated public servant, and this is the least we can do to honor her commitment to our state.”

Under the Public Safety and Police Benefits Act, if a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty, his or her spouse and children under the age of 18 are eligible to receive health insurance benefits.

Previously an employee was required to have eight years of service to receive survivor benefits. Senate Bill 3197 will change the State Employee Group Insurance Plan by expanding the occupational death benefit to ensure that any family members of DCFS caseworkers or investigators killed in the line of duty receive survivor benefits, regardless of how long they’ve worked for the agency.

The law comes following the death of Deidre Silas, a DCFS caseworker who was killed during a home visit last month, and Pamela Knight, who experienced the same tragedy in 2017. The legislation will be retroactive for ten years to ensure the family of the late Deidra Silas receives benefits from the state.

“We must protect people like Deidre Silas,” Turner said. “I will continue to push for commonsense reforms to ensure our brave civil servants and their families are protected in the event of a tragedy.”

SB 3197 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect immediately.

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SPRINGFIELD – A measure State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) championed to allow school districts to hire substitute teachers with a short-term license for longer periods of time was signed into law Wednesday.

“The pandemic has caused many aspects of our society to adapt – especially our schools,” Turner said. “We have many well-qualified substitute teachers ready to fill the void when teachers are out of the classroom – let’s empower them to step up.”

The pandemic has caused a great deal of disruptions, especially to the education system in Illinois. The state is currently facing a teacher shortage and the need to have qualified individuals step in is vital. SB 3907 will raise the cap on consecutive days a short-term substitute can teach from five to 15.

“We are working to alleviate some of the stress our schools are facing when it comes to the ongoing teacher shortage,” Turner said. “I am hopeful this law will increase the quality and stability of our youth’s education.”

Senate Bill 3907 goes into effect immediately.   

SPRINGFIELD – As the 250^th anniversary of the founding of the United States nears, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) championed a measure to establish a commission to carry out celebrations in Illinois leading up to and commemorating the day.

“The 250^th anniversary of our country’s founding will be a special time for the nation as we reflect on our history and accomplishments while also charting a course for the future,” Turner said. “Celebrations will ring from the coast of Maine to the glaciers of Alaska, and Illinois will join in those celebrations with a truly special program.”

This measure follows a federal initiative to create a national USA 250 commission. Members of the state commission will include representatives from the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as well as members picked by a bipartisan group of government leaders. The Director of the Illinois State Museum will serve as the Illinois America 250 Commission Chair.

The commission will work to highlight some important milestones and themes in our state’s history in relation to our nation’s history. Events like the founding of the State, the Lincoln Douglas debates, President Lincoln preserving the Union, and the world’s fair of 1893.

“Our great country has a deep and vast history to share,” Turner said. “I am honored to play a role in this historic event.”

House Bill 5015 passed the Senate and returns to the House for concurrence consideration.