February 16, 2007
Legislator to receive public service award
Rep. Arthur L. Turner
Rep. Arthur L. Turner, D-Chicago, deputy majority leader of the Illinois House, will receive the 2007 Ralph A. Dunn Public Service Award and deliver the annual Dunn Lecture on State Government at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 19, in the Student Center Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public
The Ralph A. Dunn award honors the former Du Quoin businessman and state legislator who served 22 years in the Illinois General Assembly. Dunn died in 2004 at the age of 90.
Turner served alongside Dunn in the state legislature. "I was very fond of Ralph Dunn. It is an honor to receive an award in his name," Turner said.
Turner, 56, first won election to the Illinois House in 1981. He is serving his 13th term.
"Art Turner has used his leadership role in the General Assembly to champion education, affordable housing and other opportunity-expanding initiatives. I am delighted he has agreed to share his perspectives and insights with our community," said Mike Lawrence, director of the Institute.
As a widely respected and influential member of the legislature, Turner has chaired the Housing Committee, served as vice chair of the Higher Education Committee and worked as a member of the Labor and Commerce, Energy and Environment, Consumer Protection and Insurance committees.
A native of Chicago, Turner earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Illinois State University and a master's degree in social justice from Lewis University. From 1973 to 1981, he worked as an investigator for the Cook County state's attorney.
Turner resides with his wife Rosalyn and their two sons, in the community where he was born.