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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, According to the Center for Creative Leadership,
3young people who volunteer in their communities are more likely
4to vote, stay actively involved in service, and feel empowered
5as citizens; and
 
6    WHEREAS, A study in promoting student engagement by the
7American Psychological Association found that volunteers
8become emotionally connected to the communities in which they
9serve and sustain community involvement after volunteering - a
10strong positive indicator for future economic growth; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Participation in civic engagement activities can
12help youth become better informed about current events; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Other than student government, there are limited
14opportunities for high school students between the ages of 14
15and 18 to partake in civic engagement and receive governmental
16experience; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Illinois currently has more units of local
18government than any other state in the country; these units may
19be suited to provide valuable civic learning experiences for
20the youth of the State; therefore, be it
 

 

 

SR0482- 2 -LRB100 12563 MST 25678 r

1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage all units
3of local government with elected boards to allow one non-voting
4student member to serve on their governing boards; and be it
5further
 
6    RESOLVED, That notwithstanding current provisions of
7Illinois statutes, units of local government with elected
8members may decide the manner in which nonvoting student
9members may be selected to serve as a member of the unit's
10governing body, whether it be through application, selection by
11the board, or nomination through a local school district,
12educational program, club, or youth group; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That the unit of local government may determine
14the length of terms for the nonvoting student member, whether
15it be for one meeting or an academic school year; and be it
16further
 
17    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution shall be
18presented to the Illinois State Board of Education as well as
19organizations representing municipalities, counties,
20townships.