SE Illinois News

Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) recently met with the Youth Advisory Council and afterward praised both the students for their eagerness to learn and bright futures, as well as the speakers for taking the time to come to the event.

The Youth Advisory Council sessions were created by the Illinois legislature with the passage of House Bill 0594. This meeting was held at Southern Illinois University.

"Last week I hosted my annual Student Advisory Council where 56 students from across the 59th district joined me to learn about state government and even draft their own piece of legislation!" Fowler said in a post to his Facebook account on Dec. 15. "Each year this event reminds me how important it is to give our younger generation the opportunity to learn about and get involved in state government. The students are the future, and this event always highlights just how bright that future can be!"

Fowler also emphasized the importance of the council as an inspirational event for young people. 

"It's so important to have young minds involved in state government just to be able to have the opportunity to hear from the chancellor's example from here at SIU to hear from exceptional motivational speakers to hear that their ideas are needed, that they're important, that they're the next chancellors, the next professors, the next senators" Fowler said.

Fowler thanked the speakers who attended the event in posts to his social media. 

"I'd like to give a shout out to the four speakers from last week's event. Thank you to Metropolis Alderman and SIU Sophomore Dylan Chambers, Goreville Superintendent Dr. Steve Webb, SIU Chancellor  Austin Lane, and SIU Director of Exploratory Student Advisement and the Center for Learning and Support Services, Jeff McGoy. I truly appreciate you taking the time out of your day to talk with these students," Fowler posted on Facebook. 

Fifty-six students from 15 different high schools in Fowler's Senate district participated in the council.