State Senators Paul Schimpf and Dale Fowler, and Representatives Terri Bryant, Jerry Costello, Dave Severin and Patrick Windhorst met with students representing Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association during the Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperatives Youth Day in Springfield on Wednesday, April 3. Youth Day is designed to introduce young rural leaders to state government. More than 235 students representing 23 co-ops from across the state attended the event.
Students had the opportunity to visit the State Capitol, view state government in action from the Senate floor and question their legislators on key issues. They were also invited into the office of Secretary of State Jesse White. During lunch, State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs addressed students and chaperones and encouraged them to find where their passion lies. Frerichs said, “It doesn’t matter what you do if you love what you are doing. Find your own path. There may be times when you start down a path and diverge from it but listen to your heart. Sometimes you have to immerse yourself in something and possibly fail. Even when we don’t win, we learn from the experience.”
Collin Moseley, the 2018-19 Illinois Youth Leadership Council representative from Clay Electric Co-operative, Inc., reflected on the past year and the experiences he had on the Youth to Washington tour and his opportunity to represent Illinois at various meetings. He encouraged everyone going on the 2019 Youth to Washington Tour to apply to represent Illinois as the YLC and not be afraid to connect with others on the trip. After lunch, the students visited the Old State Capitol and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. For more information and pictures, visit the Youth to Washington page.
