Slaughter Supports Creation of Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, is supporting legislation to give Illinois teens and young adults the chance to advise lawmakers on policies affecting them.

“Legislation often has significant impacts on our state’s youth, while they have little chance to give their direct input to policymakers,” said Slaughter. “By creating the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council, we can give the young people of Illinois a chance to directly tell lawmakers and state officials about their concerns, ideas, and suggestions on how policies affect them, their future and our state.”

The Slaughter-backed House Bill 837 would create the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council, which would allow state legislators to nominate a qualified resident of their district to serve on the council for two years. The council would consist of 59 teens and young adults between the ages of 17 and 22 who would be able to request drafts of legislation and testify in committee hearings to help members of the General Assembly make decisions on policies affecting youth in Illinois.

“The Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council would allow teens and young adults to become more involved in the legislative process and help legislators make better decisions for our youth,” continued Slaughter. “While we must always be aware of how our actions will immediately affect our state, we must always consider the long-term effects for our future generations.”

For more information, please contact Slaughter’s constituent service office at 773-445-9700 or Justin@RepSlaughter.com.