Youth Day and Youth Tour to Washington

For Release

Each year Coles Moultrie Electric Cooperative, CMEC, along with its sister co-ops across the state, have sponsored Youth Day and Youth Tour to Washington for over 60 years to introduce students to government and the political process. Today, many alumni of these programs work in state or federal government or have gone on to serve as elected officials. Two retired members of the Illinois General Assembly are alumni of our programs.

High school students are encouraged to complete the application for a chance to learn more about government and their role. Winning students will get an up-close look at government in action.

CMEC will select and sponsor two students in our service area for the opportunity to visit Springfield for Youth Day on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. During the day, the students and their counterparts from other Illinois high schools will meet their elected senators and representatives at the Capitol and learn first-hand about the workings of state government.

These same students will win a weeklong all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. on June 14-21, 2024. During the week in the nation’s capital, the Illinois student contingent will hopefully meet with Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. The U.S. Representatives will meet with students for a luncheon while on Capitol Hill.

Contact your local high school guidance counselor or CMEC at 217-235-0341 for more information.