NEWS

Springfield's Doris Turner selected as new 48th District state senator

Natalie Pierre
State Journal-Register
In this June 28, 2019 photo, state Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, stands with Springfield Ward 3 Ald. Doris Turner as Gov. JB Pritzker answers questions after signing into law a massive expansion of gambling and a $45 billion infrastructure plan during a ceremony at the Lincoln Depot. Turner will serve out the remainder of Manar's term in the 48th District.  [Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register]

Doris Turner is now Senator Turner. 

The 48th Legislative District Committee met in Springfield Saturday morning as the Democratic County Chairs voted unanimously to appoint Turner, 67, to serve out the remainder of former state Sen. Andy Manar’s term. 

Manar, 45, resigned Jan. 17 after eight years in the Illinois Senate to become a senior adviser to Gov. JB Pritzker. A resident of Bunker Hill in Macoupin County, Manar departed with less than two years remaining in his term.

“I am thankful to receive the support and appointment of the county chairs’ in the 48th District," Turner said. "This is an honor of a lifetime and not something that I will take for granted."

Turner’s appointment is historic, as she is the first Black person to represent Springfield and Sangamon County in the state legislature.

Doris Turner

She has served on the Springfield City Council representing Ward 3 since 2011. 

Illinois Deputy Gov.  Andy Manar

Prior to that, she spent a decade serving as a Sangamon County Board member and has been the county’s Democratic Party chairwoman since 2012.

“I am proud of the work that the 48th Legislative District Committee has done in selecting Doris Turner for the appointment,” committee chair Pam Monetti said. “From the start, we wanted to make sure that this was an open and transparent process. We wanted to make sure that the candidate we selected would share our values and commitment to our communities. We wanted to find someone who would be a bold fighter for the families in the 48th District. We know we found that in Doris Turner.”

Springfield Park Board member Lisa Badger and former Springfield Ward 2 Ald. Frank McNeil were among the seven other finalists Turner beat out for her appointment. 

Currently, the 48th Senate District includes all or parts of Sangamon, Christian, Macon, Macoupin, Madison and Montgomery counties.

"We are facing a difficult road ahead as our state rebuilds from the devastation of COVID-19," Turner said. "The gravity of this will weigh on me every day as I work to get our kids back in school and our businesses reopen. From Bunker Hill to Decatur and everywhere in between, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.” 

Contact Natalie Pierre at npierre@gannett.com or on Twitter @NataliePierre_.