March 22, 2007

Media Advisory — Youth Government Day

Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to cover any and all events of the seventh Youth Government Day — sponsored by Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute — on Saturday, March 24.

The free daylong event takes place at the Capitol Complex and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield. A record number of 400 high school and junior college students and teachers from across Illinois are attending.

The event's goal is inspiring students to explore careers in government and public service.

The schedule is:

  • 9 a.m. — Keynote address by state Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, Illinois House of Representatives chamber, Capitol Building.
  • 10:15 a.m. — Breakout sessions at the State Capitol Building in the House chamber, Senate committee room 212, and House committee room 114. The breakout sessions feature Luz Lopez, executive assistant to Senate President Emil Jones, Jr.; DeJuan Kea, government relations coordinator for the Illinois Principals Association; and students from the Chicago-based Mikva Challenge program, which promotes getting young people involved in democracy.
  • 1 p.m. — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, presidential ballroom, President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center.

For more information, contact Matt Baughman, assistant director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at 618/201-0082.