Thirty-three high school students from across west central Illinois took part in an immersive experience at the State Capitol on April 29, thanks to State Senator Jil Tracy’s Youth Advisory Council.
Selected by their schools, students shadowed lawmakers, participated in a Snap the Capitol Photo Challenge, and took on simulated roles during a committee hearing on Senate Bill 2049, debating hunting rights on farmland. Participants, like Jacksonville’s Troy DeFrates and Unity’s Sadie Shoemaker, said the program inspired them to get involved in public life. They cited improvements in public speaking, networking, and understanding how state government truly operates.
