State Senator Li Arellano Jr hosted his Fall Youth Advisory Council Monday at Sauk Valley Community College, bringing together more than 40 high school students from across the 37th District. Students represented a dozen schools and came prepared to share their ideas and concerns about state and local issues.
During the council, students presented a range of bill proposals. Ideas included using marijuana sales to fund public beautification projects, incentivizing voluntary driver safety courses to reduce insurance rates, and even a proposal to cut state spending—something legislators themselves could take a lesson from. The winning proposal, selected by student vote, was an initiative to prevent individuals from being immediately penalized on their state benefits after earning a promotion or raise. Students will return in the spring for a mock legislative session at the Capitol to debate and advance the measure.
The event also featured guest speakers who encouraged students to think about leadership, risk-taking, resilience, and community service. Senator Arellano thanked Dr. Matthew DeBaene, Superintendent of Morrison Community Unit School District #6; Karla Belzer, County Director for the University of Illinois Extension Carroll-Lee-Whiteside Unit; and Patrick McBride, Founder/Owner of The McBride Agency, for sharing their insights.
Senator Arellano also expressed gratitude to the chaperones who accompanied their students and to Sauk Valley Community College for hosting the event.