State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) has successfully secured nearly $330,000 in funding for six literacy programs in Springfield and Decatur. The grants, provided by Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian, Alexi Giannoulias, are part of a broader initiative that has distributed nearly $22 million for library services and $6 million for literacy programs across the state.

The funding aims to enhance library services by improving online catalogs, supporting daily operations, expanding inter-library loan programs, and providing resources for vision-impaired individuals. The literacy grants will specifically focus on promoting essential reading, math, writing, and English language skills.

Local beneficiaries include Baby TALK, Richland Community College, Fishes & Loaves Outreach Ministries, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Lincoln Land Community College, and Lincoln Library. Turner praised libraries as vital community hubs, saying the grants would empower new advancements in technology and programming.

A complete list of grantees can be found through the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.