Rashid Selected for Midwestern Legislative Leadership Fellowship

BERWYN, ILL. – State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, D-Bridgeview, was among 39 lawmakers chosen to participate in a prestigious leadership training program that annually identifies and assists promising state leaders in the Midwest.

Rashid will meet with fellow lawmakers from Illinois and 10 other Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces on August 23-27 in Madison, Wisconsin for the Council of State Governments’ 29th annual Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD).

“The Bowhay Institute is one of the premier leadership training programs in the nation,” said Iowa Sen. Amy Sinclair, who serves as co-chair of the institute’s steering committee. “The legislatures in the region have benefited greatly from the skills their members have gained through this unique educational experience. Many of the graduates now hold key leadership positions in their state.”

Since 1995, about 1,000 lawmakers have graduated from the Bowhay Institute. State legislators from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin are chosen to participate through a competitive, nonpartisan selection process. Members of the Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan legislative assemblies are selected by their caucuses to take part in the program.

A program of The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Office, the 2024 BILLD program will include courses and seminars conducted by policy experts, Midwestern legislative leaders, and professional development trainers. In addition to a curriculum designed to develop leadership skills, the
program analyzes a variety of public policy issues, including the economy, trade, and criminal justice and public safety policy.

“I am honored to be selected for this fellowship,” said Rashid. “This opportunity will provide me with valuable insights and skills to better address critical issues impacting our region. I am eager to collaborate with fellow lawmakers from across the Midwest to share ideas and develop effective strategies to tackle some of our most pressing challenges.”