Youth & Government

Make Your Voice Heard

YOUTH & GOVERNMENT

Join a Delegation
Learn how to advocate for the issues you care about!

Travel to the State Capitol
Meet elected officials, work behind the scenes at the Capitol complex and connect with other students from around the State.

Learn How to Make Your Voice Heard
Gain an understanding of how the legislative and judicial process creates change.

Impact Your Community
Work on legislation that affects your life and those around you.

Develop Leadership Skills
Work effectively with others from different backgrounds and perspectives, expand problem solving tools and hone public speaking skills.

STUDENT ROLES

Who can be a Legislative Assistant?
Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors

What do Legislative Assistants do?
LAs participate in the State Issues Forum by picking an issue that is pertinent to Illinois, writing a proposal that outlines your opinion on the issue, and preparing an oral presentation for Assembly.

Who can be a Lobbyist?
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors

What do Lobbyists do?
Lobbyists research organizations to represent, draft legislative agenda advocating for their organization’s position, track bills throughout the Legislative Process, present written or oral testimony in committee, and influence legislation throughout the program.  Lobbying activities are tracked and evaluated on a point system to determine the Most Effective Lobbyist.

Who can be a Legislator?
Juniors and Seniors

What do Legislators do?
Legislators work collaboratively in a bill group to draft legislation; conducting research and writing both a bill and bill brief.  Legislators work in committees  sessions to review, debate and prioritize bills that will be presented on both the House and Senate floor in Illinois’ historic Capitol.

Who can be an Attorney?
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors

What do Attorneys do?
Attorneys work together in teams to argue an appellate court case. Each attorney team writes a bench memo, presents an oral argument at Assembly, serves as a Justice on a court, and participates in the judicial review process.

Who can be a Clerk-Bailiff?
Anyone can serve as a Clerk-Bailiff

What do Clerk-Bailiffs do?
Clerk-Bailiffs present oral argument presentation in the Clerk-Bailiff Forum. At Assembly, they will assist in general court administration and also participate in judicial review.

Who can be on the Press Team?
Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

What does the Press Team do?
The Press Team documents the activities of the Youth & Government program year.  Students work to provide print and social media content that is delivered through social media channels, the Illinois YMCA Youth and Government monthly newsletter as well as The Observer, our printed paper distributed at Assembly.

HOW DO I DECIDE WHAT ROLE TO CHOOSE?

As one of 1,000 students from all over Illinois, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in one of six program sections at our mock-government program.  Depending on your grade and local delegation, you can choose from Legislative Assistant, Lobbyist, Legislator, Attorney, Clerk-Bailiff or the Press Team.

Once registered for the program, students can apply for one of the more than 130 leadership roles available each year.

REGISTRATION

We are excited to welcome new and returning students to the program.  Registration links are provided by the local Delegation Advisor.

  • $455 Program Fee – Each delegation determines how program fees are to be collected.  At registration, you may be prompted to pay the full fee, pay a deposit with the remainder being collected by your delegation, or register without payment.  For those delegations that have chosen to have the State Office collect fees, payment options include Digital Check, Credit Card and Affirm payment.

  • Digital Signature Required – both students and their parent/guardian will provide acknowledgement of the code of conduct, photo & video release, data collection and medical consent.

  • Know your role – you will choose your preferred role at registration. Explore role options above and confirm with your Advisor.

  • Know your State Senator and Representative – you will be asked to provide your specific State Senator and State Representative.  Take the time before registration to discuss with your parent or guardian.

STUDENT HUB

Once registered, students will receive an invite to access the Student Hub and Conference App.  If you need assistance, complete the contact form and we can help.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Our commitment is to ensure the program is attainable to all.  While a limited number of full scholarships are available, last year we awarded more than 30% of our student population with scholarships totaling over $50,000.

The scholarship application is included in the registration application, and the portal closes October 1, 2026.  Students and Advisors will be notified prior to November 1 of the scholarship awards.