March 8, 2026 -Senator Doris Turner is advancing legislation aimed at increasing awareness and access to agricultural education programs across Illinois.
The proposal, Senate Bill 3226, would require the Illinois State Board of Education to produce a report on the status and availability of agricultural education programs statewide. The report would examine trends, challenges and barriers facing the programs, opportunities for expansion and recommendations for better aligning agricultural education with workforce and postsecondary opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness.
“Agriculture is the economic engine of our state,” Turner said. “From Chicago to Southern Illinois, agriculture plays a role in each and every corner of our state. Students should have the opportunity to know what programs are available.”
Turner, who chairs the Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee, has previously supported legislation related to agricultural education. In 2023, she backed House Bill 2802, which allows certain work-based learning activities such as National FFA Organization and 4-H participation to count toward the daily calculation of school hours.
She also sponsored Senate Bill 1605, which ensures agriculture education teachers are compensated for additional hours worked outside the classroom.
Turner said expanding agricultural education can help prepare students for careers in the state’s agriculture sector.
Senate Bill 3226 passed the Senate Education Committee last week and now await further consideration in the Illinois Senate.
