Students from high schools across the Illinois Senate 55th District gathered at the Kaskaskia College – Vandalia Campus on Wednesday to participate in State Senator Jason Plummer’s Youth Advisory Council. During the morning and afternoon, students were able to hear from State Senator Steve McClure of the 54th District, Misty Borrowman, President and CEO of Bank of Hillsboro, Jeff Isbell of Meridian and from Plummer himself. Students were able to listen to the speakers and then participate in a question and answer session as they learned more about Illinois government, public policy and leadership. In the afternoon, the students were broke up into small groups were they were given an hour to come up with policy proposals that they then presented to the crowd. At the end, students voted on and narrowed down the policies to two proposals before voting on the final policy to be presented in the Spring. After a gridlock vote of 26-26 with the students and a 6-6 vote between their teachers, a final vote from three additional teachers became the deciding factor, wrapping up the afternoon in exciting fashion. Being able to see what came of the day and the excitement from the students, Plummer felt that this fall’s council was highly successful.
Holding events such as Wednesday’s Youth Advisory Council has become something very important to Plummer as with talking about getting the input of his constituents in his district, it’s just as important to hear feedback and ideas from the younger generations as it is the older generations.
With the fall Youth Advisory Council wrapped up, Plummer will now look forward to hosting the students at his annual Spring Youth Advisory Council that will be coming up in just about four months and will be held at the State Capitol.
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