More than 50 high school students descended on Springfield on April 25 to take on the legislative process, lobbying, voting, and reporting on legislation.
The event was part of State Senator Chuck Weaver’s Youth Advisory Council.
The students met with Weaver and other lawmakers on the floor of the Illinois Senate chamber.
Students heard from representatives of various professional occupations involved in the lawmaking process, from lobbyists to reporters and legislative staff members.
After hearing testimony from the students serving as lobbyists and concerned citizens, the students tasked with serving as lawmakers proposed an amendment to their bill before voting on the legislation.
One student was Owen Horton of the Galesburg Christian School, he says interacting with diverse points of view was a positive experience.
“I learned that you can’t just sit back and be quiet when it comes to these things,” Horton said.
The students eventually voted unanimously to adopt the amendment to their legislation and then voted unanimously again to pass the amended bill.
Weaver said it’s “amazing to see these young people discuss and debate major issues so passionately.”
He said he hoped “we’ve given them a few more tools as they continue to develop into our future leaders.”
