Students from Central A&M, Pana, and Nokomis High Schools got a first-hand look at how state government works during Senator Steve McClure’s Youth Advisory Council in Springfield. The event brought together 78 students from across the 54th Senate District to the University of Illinois Springfield campus — including several from Christian and Montgomery Counties.
Senator McClure says the program is designed to inspire the next generation of leaders by showing how legislation is created and debated. Central A&M student Lynna Kearney says the experience opened her eyes to how laws and policies affect people’s lives.
Students spent the day hearing from state and local officials — including the Mayor of Springfield and the Illinois Auditor General — and then took part in a mock legislative session. They worked together to propose bills on topics like mental health in schools and healthier food options.
Participants from Pana and Nokomis also joined in the discussions, collaborating with students from across the region to debate and amend their ideas just like lawmakers do at the Capitol. Senator McClure says he hopes the program encourages students to stay engaged and informed about how government impacts their communities. The Youth Advisory Council is open to all high schools in McClure’s district. Interested students are encouraged to contact their school principal or superintendent for next year’s session.
Central A&M
Nokomis HS
Pana HS
