Photo: Marcus J. Durrett, Illinois Senate Republican Staff

SPRINGFIELD – On March 15, dozens of high school students from across the 59th Senate District were welcomed to the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield by State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) to learn more about the state’s legislative process as part of her Youth Advisory Council (YAC) program.

“We want them to fully understand the craziness and inner workings of what happens in Springfield to get a law passed. We want to teach them how to be a proponent or opponent of a bill, what role lobbyists have, and how both sides of the aisle of the legislature work together,” said Sen. Bryant. “But more than that, we want to hear from them about what is going on in their own communities. Often, I hear things from them that are very different from what I am hearing from their parents and grandparents.”

Sen. Bryant’s YAC program allows local high school students to learn more about government through two meetings held each school year. During the fall meeting, students heard from local leaders and had the opportunity to propose ideas for new legislation. This year, students put forward an idea to help address the ongoing school bus driver shortage affecting the state, which they took up during a mock committee meeting during their recent gathering in Springfield.

“I think it’s very important for kids my age and young people to be introduced to the legislative system and get involved,” said Red Bud High School Student Thomas Friess. “It’s good to know how the government works because eventually you are going to be voting and you need to know how everything works, including how a bill bounces around from committee and chambers.”

During this week’s meeting, students took on the various roles involved in the legislative process for a mock committee hearing in an actual Senate committee room at the Capitol. The students served as lawmakers discussing and voting on the proposal, concerned citizens and lobbyists advocating for and against the issue, and reporters covering the hearing.

“I really liked doing the mock committee today, it was more fun than serious. I’ve never been involved in anything like that before, so it was really fun for me,” said Coulterville Highs School Student Hailey Harley. “If you are on the fence about attending an event like this, I would say get out of your comfort zone because everyone is nervous, but at the end it really is fun.”

“I’m definitely going to take away from this the ability of foresight, which is looking to see how your actions are going affect your community,” said Webber High School Student Aiden Reed. “I would also say rhetoric was a big thing we learned. It’s very important to speak clearly and able to convey what you are trying to put out.”

Sen. Bryant’s YAC program is open to high school students in the 59th Senate District each year. She encourages interested students to ask their teachers and/or principals about taking part in the future.