Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – In a way, State Senator Doris Turner is part of Springfield’s government again.

The Springfield City Council Wednesday unanimously approved Turner’s appointment to serve on the Mid-Illinois Medical District Commission. She’s a former alderman and Sangamon County Board member.

Turner says her experience should help the commission.

“People will ask you questions, and say ‘Why do you think she’s a good choice for this?'” said Turner.  “I will tell you that I have always had a passion and worked very hard for health care, and providing access to affordable and reliable health care.  I was 32 years at the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Turner says a lot of what she did at IDPH had to do with that work.

“Developing, implementing, and setting forth programs, working with collaborators at the local, county, state, and national/international level…some phenomenal programs that have really become models for what we do, each and every day, saving lives,” said Turner, to aldermen.

Legislation of Turner’s that would expand the medical district in Springfield did not make it through the Spring legislative session, but she’s said she’ll be ready if it is called during the fall veto session.  The same applies to Turner’s proposed creation of a downtown tourism district, allowing for the expansion of the BOS Center and the building of a new hotel.

While the vote was unanimous, two aldermen were absent Wednesday night:  Ward 4’s Larry Rockford, and Ward 5’s Lakeisha Purchase.