Youth Government Day Speakers

Students have had opportunities to learn from and interact with key figures in Illinois government and the public policy process, including keynote speakers such as Attorney General Lisa Madigan, former Attorney General Jim Ryan, former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, among others.

In addition to the keynote speakers, students meet in small group break-out sessions with people holding key roles in government and public policy making. Break-out session leaders have included people such as then-State Senator Barack Obama, former State Senator and Springfield Mayor Karen Hasara, former St. Louis Mayor Clarence Harmon, State Senators Kirk Dillard and Debbie Halvorson, and State Representatives Mike Bost and Brandon Phelps.

Recognizing the importance of roles outside of elected office, the institute has included a wide array of speakers representing various components of the government and political process, such as Phil Gilbert, Federal Judge; Gene Callahan, former government relations director for Major League Baseball and chief of staff to Sen. Alan Dixon; Katy Lawrence, lobbyist; and Jackie Price, former spokesperson for Gov. George Ryan.

With a range of speakers involved in different aspects of government, students are able to better understand how government works, discern the different roles needed in the political process, and envision the many career paths available for people interested in getting involved in the arena of government.