Macon Reporter

Senator Sally Turner issued a statement after the signing of the Carbon Sequestration and Pipelines Law, expressing concerns about its safety and environmental implications. She made the statement in a July 18 Facebook post.

"Today, the Governor signed Senate Bill 1289, also known as the Carbon Sequestration and Pipelines Law, despite its safety and environmental concerns," said Sally Jo Turner, State Senator 44th District (D), according to Facebook.

On Turner's Facebook page, she provided a detailed statement in a graphic. "I am deeply disappointed by the Governor’s decision to sign the controversial carbon sequestration and pipelines legislation into law today. While I respect efforts to modernize our energy industry, I fear that this legislation poses far too many significant risks to the citizens of our state, particularly when it comes to potential groundwater contamination and carbon dioxide leaks or ruptures of the pipelines," Turner wrote in her July 18 statement. She added, "In addition to those real and present risks, I am also greatly concerned about the eminent domain threats against property owners contained within the law. The way the law is written, some landowners who do not quickly choose to sell their rights may receive unfair compensation."

Screenshot of Sen. Sally Turner's July 18 Facebook post | State Senator Sally Turner's Facebook page

According to the state's website focused on the bill, Senate Bill 1289 was initially a bill regarding dental care reimbursement by insurance companies. A state House floor amendment created the Safety and Aid for the Environment in Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act (SAFE CCS Act), which "requires the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (i) to obtain training services and support for local emergency services and disaster agencies for training, exercises, and equipment related to carbon dioxide pipelines and sequestration and (ii) to provide $5,000 per year to the Illinois Fire Service Institute for first responder training." The bill also states that a pipeline owner or operator could use eminent domain powers to take property for their use to transport and sequester carbon dioxide if the Illinois Commerce Commission has granted a certificate.

Senator Turner has represented the people of the state’s 44th Senate District since 2021 and is a lifelong Illinois resident. She holds a degree in legal studies from the University of Illinois. Her professional experience includes serving as a juvenile probation officer, working as a paralegal in the Office of the Logan County State’s Attorney, being elected Logan County Clerk and Reporter, and serving in that position until deciding not to seek re-election in 2018.