Senator Sally Turner launches bid to retain Senate seat

[December 23, 2021] 

Former County Clerk, current State Senator seeks to continue serving Central Illinois
BEASON, Ill. – Illinois State Senator Sally Turner (R-Beason) today announced her candidacy for the newly drawn 44th State Senate District, spanning portions of twelve different counties across central Illinois including Macon, McLean, Tazewell, Piatt and Dewitt.

“My vision for Illinois has always been based in optimism, believing that our state, for all its faults, is comprised of honest, hard-working taxpayers, parents, and business owners who just want a fair-shake,” Turner said. “My hope is fueled by the resilient men and women I meet traveling the district, who share with me their honest perspectives and concerns for our state’s future. Unfortunately, our government hasn’t lived up to the standard our residents are worthy of, and I’ll work each day to reverse the trends of greed and corruption toward an ethical and efficient government reflective of the people it serves.”

Sally, a former County Clerk, has served as the Caucus’ expert on election integrity, sponsoring Senate Bill 1326 aimed at standardizing election processes to increase trust and transparency. The legislation would create additional training for election judges, a procedure to audit mail-in ballots, and alter the voter verification process.

This fall, Sally defended Illinois parents by helping to lead the Illinois Senate Republicans’ campaign against the Democratic Majority’s repeal of the popular Parental Notification Act advocating for their rights in the media and on the Senate Floor.

She also spoke up for Central Illinois families and workers by strongly opposing changes to the Gov. Pritzker’s Healthcare Right of Conscience Act, which resulted in allowing employers to fire anyone who refused vaccination based on their strongly-held beliefs.

“I am hearing from families throughout our district who are sick of the Illinois government’s overreach into their homes,” Turner said. “The government needs to be focused on creating more economic opportunity and reducing crime, and less on telling hard-working families how to parent.”
 

Sally has and will continue to support legislation that increases public safety through better funding of law enforcement and mental health services in Illinois, and recently sponsored a bill to fund grant programs that purchase officer worn body cameras, and in-car cameras for local governments.

She is especially focused on enhancing protections for minors who are victims of violent crime, such as sexual assault or abuse, and become adults during their court proceedings. Her legislation, Senate Bill 2942, seeks to allow courts the ability to exclude persons without a direct interest in the case from attending court hearings while victims are providing testimony.

By the same token, Sally has also been crafting legislation to provide a solution to the ongoing problem of children within the Department of Child and Family Services system, who with nowhere else to turn, have been sleeping in State offices.

Aside from supporting central Illinois’ children, Sally is committed to improving opportunities for veterans in her district and throughout Illinois. To increase state support she sponsored legislation that would provide needed equipment, supplies and financial resources for veterans at the Central Illinois Veterans Home, and worked with nonprofits to support building new homes for veterans.

“Those among us who answered the call to serve their neighbors, their state and their country deserve our strongest support,” Sally said. Yet, often veterans who return home are struggling to find bare essentials like housing. I’m proud to work with not-for-profits and my colleagues in the Senate to find solutions that serve our state’s veteran population.
 

Sally currently serves as the Minority Spokesperson for the Tourism and Hospitality committee where she has placed special emphasis on restoring and enhancing Illinois’ State parks and recreation areas. She also sits on Senate committees for Ethics, Higher Education, Human Rights, Public Safety, Revenue, and State Government. Additionally, Sally was recently appointed to the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee and the Carol Adams Ticket for the Cure Board.

A University of Illinois graduate of Legal Studies and Master’s Degree recipient in Organizational Leadership from Lincoln Christian University, Sally’s career includes working as a juvenile probation officer and paralegal in the Office of the Logan County State’s Attorney. In 1994, she was elected as the Logan County Clerk, where voters re-elected her for five consecutive terms. Following her retirement, Sally has continued to help small localities remain fiscally solvent by providing her expertise in property tax limit laws, and filing for levies.

Sally has served in the Senate since January of 2021, when she was appointed to fill the seat vacated by former Republican Leader Bill Brady. Sally and her husband, John, live in rural Beason in Logan County and have two adult children.

For more information please visit SallyForSenate.com

[Friends of Sally Turner]