LHS Students Propose Legislation To State Sen. Curran

LEMONT, IL — Over a dozen local students, including some from Lemont High School, had the opportunity to propose new laws directly to State Sen. John Curran. Students from four local high schools took part in Curran's annual youth advisory council program recently, a release from his office stated.

“This program is a chance for students to not only learn more about government, but to see that their voices are heard in Springfield,” Curran said in a release. “I hope these students leave with an interest not only in government but in becoming leaders in their communities.”

The students met at Lemont Public Library, where they heard from several individuals about different roles in government, including Lemont Mayor John Egofske, State Representative David Olsen, State Affairs Director for the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, and Naperville Deputy City Manager Marcie Schatz.

During the program, students were divided into small groups where they discussed ideas for new legislation, eventually presenting their plans to the whole group. According to a release, ideas ranged from subsidizing the cost of insulin for low income families, to creating a tax on the inhumane treatment of animals. Eventually the students voted to advance a plan to legalize fireworks and to use the tax revenue toward paying down state debt and funding youth mentoring programs.

“My biggest takeaway is the importance of cooperation, many people think government policy-making is partisan, but to get anything done, you have to work a lot with others, you need to get everyone talking to get anything done,” Lemont High School student Ben Clarage said in a release. “If high school students don’t participate in their government, the people leading our country won’t know what to do, high school students are the future and our opinions matter.”

According to Curran's office, the students will meet again during the spring semester to conduct a mock committee hearing on their proposal, where students will take on the roles of lawmakers, lobbyists and concerned citizens. Each student will also have the opportunity to shadow Curran during the legislative session at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield.

“This is our next generation, and we’re hoping to give them the tools and experience in public policy to help jump start their futures in government or even as active, engaged citizens,” Curran said. “We have a lot of bright young minds in that room, and they really are going to be critical to our future success.”